Facilitating Learning Through Correspondence Tuition Welsh Assessment and Feedback Practitioners Event Tuesday 5 May 2009

Correspondence Tuition Assessment Individual tuition and personal encouragement

What is the function of correspondence tuition? Encourage Teach Facilitate skills development Attainment of learning outcomes Individualise learning experience

What is the function of correspondence tuition? Provide for flexibility in response Explain evaluation process Provide space for reflection Feed forward Self assessment

Tutor as assessor or facilitator? Facilitator Academic gatekeeper

Promotion of student ownership of learning Engaging in dialogue Providing criteria by which TMA is judged in advance Providing feedback on how well the learning outcomes have been achieved Requiring students to submit some form of self assessment

Correspondence tuition is useful when it … Is returned promptly Is supportive and encouraging Gives benchmarking information Does more than offer corrections Is explicit

Correspondence tuition is useful when it … Helps students to develop skills they dont yet have Models how to tweak students own words Helps students see how to take forward skills and ideas to next assignment Encourages students to become skilful at self- assessment

What is not useful to students? Illegible handwriting Being patronised Instructions that cannot be interpreted No explanation for lost marks/why grade is as it is No suggestions for how to improve Late return of TMA

Evaluation of effectiveness Reflect on own practice Consult mentor (new tutors) Monitor Staff Tutor Students

The OU in Wales 18 Custom House Street Cardiff CF10 1AP