School of something FACULTY OF OTHER Faculty of Arts ‘Fair, prompt & detailed’ – matching staff and student expectations on assessment and feedback in light of the National Student Survey Project Leaders: Paul Cooke (SMLC) and Elizabeth Pender (Classics)

National Student Survey 2005 Disappointing on assessment and feedback across the sector Defining European Languages and Area Studies in the survey? Our approach- getting an external perspective OVERVIEW OF PROJECT

Meeting with representatives from the HEA Subject Centres Staff development events for each of the 4 schools in the Faculty of Arts A series of events on Assessment and Feedback for L1 students led by lecturers from across the Faculty of Arts: ‘Make the Grade: Achieve Your Potential!’ Faculty involvement in a HEA working party on the NSS, Briefing papers on the Leeds project for publication by the Higher Education Academy. A workshop at the Leeds Learning & Teaching Conference, 5th January 2007: dialogue OUTCOMES

Getting behind the figures of the NSS (5 questions) 1.The criteria used in marking have been clear in advance. 2.Assessment arrangements and marking have been fair. 3.Feedback on my work has been prompt 4.I have received detailed comments on my work. 5.Feedback has helped me clarify things I did not understand. FINDINGS

Comparison: same questions asked of staff and students and analysed into: A.Student perceptions and concerns B.Academic perceptions and concerns C.Good practice/enhancement MATCHING STAFF AND STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

1.We are not helped sufficiently to bridge the gap between A-Level and University 2.Lack of explanation of over-arching aims and values of assessment and feedback 3.Lack of clear marking criteria or grade descriptors 4.Lack of consistency and harmonisation in marking between departments and even within departments A: Student Perceptions and Concerns: what is it all about?

5.Tutors don’t have enough time for us 6.Tutors don’t give clear, positive feedback with advice on how to improve marks 7.Tutors don’t return work quickly enough 8.Tutors aren’t consistent in their marking (postgraduate students are unduly harsh) A: Student Perceptions and Concerns: communication?

1.Students don’t understand what’s expected of them at university. 2.Students don’t understand what lecturers do. Research-led teaching and learning. 3.Marking criteria or grade descriptors are published through handbooks and on websites but students struggle to understand them. 4.Students don’t understand that diversity doesn’t necessary mean inconsistency. B: Academic perceptions and concerns

5.High SSRs and competing demands on time. 6.Students don’t understand what feedback is 7.Students don’t understand what goes into marking and assessment. 8.Students more concerned with marks than guidance. B: Academic perceptions and concerns

What is desirable? What is reasonable? Final Questions

OVERVIEW OF PROJECT