University assessment and quality assurance

Rethinking assessment strategies? Academics offer guidance on how to give feedback, grading v ungrading, authentic assessment, monitoring student progress, preventing cheating and maintaining academic integrity

By Eliza.Compton, 26 July, 2023

The dark side of AI’s promised efficiencies

Artificial intelligence can use data and algorithms in a way that prioritises rationality over values such as fairness and quality of education, writes Vern Glaser

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen, 25 July, 2023

Three innovative authentic assessments to encourage soft skill mastery

Students on hard skills-intensive courses such as computer science need to develop effective communication and other soft skills. Bernardo Pereira Nunes offers three assessments to help

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 24 July, 2023

The myriad advantages of using formative assessment

A multiple choice quiz can be useful for formative assessment

G.K. Suraishkumar looks at ways to assess students’ learning more effectively through formative assessments and argues for basing grades entirely on this method

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 21 July, 2023

Four directions for assessment redesign in the age of generative AI

The rise of generative AI has led universities to rethink how learning is quantified. Julia Chen offers four options for assessment redesign that can be applied across disciplines

Reading time

4minutes

By dene.mullen, 20 July, 2023

It’s time to radicalise the writing proficiency exam

Written exams should generate writing that vibrates with personality, exploration of ideas and an urge to communicate, says Tyler Thier

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 17 July, 2023

Questions to test students’ understanding of research methods

A young researcher collects a water sample from a pond

How to craft questions for closed book examinations on undergraduate research methods

Reading time

3minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 11 July, 2023

Assessment tasks that minimise students’ motivation to cheat

Academic dishonesty occurs for reasons that include students’ fear of missing deadlines, being overwhelmed and lack of language skills. Here are ways to reframe assessment

Reading time

3minutes

By dene.mullen, 11 July, 2023

Written feedback for students – keep it clear, constructive and to the point

James Derounian offers tips for giving compassionate feedback that will enable students to understand where their work went right and wrong

Reading time

4minutes

By Miranda Prynne, 10 July, 2023

Want to know how your class is going? Ask your students

A student raising a hand with a question in class

A guide to what, when and how to ask your students for feedback on your course in order to inform improvements to your teaching

Reading time

3minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 5 July, 2023

Exam skills instruction: fostering a sense of self-efficacy

Female Asian students studying for an exam

Practice, regular feedback and opportunities to experience mastery can help students develop sound exam technique and improve their performance, writes Cheong Fan

Reading time

3minutes

University assessment and quality assurance