Factors affecting the adoption of e-assessment in School of Engineering by Z.G.Baleni Continuous Professional Development Unit CLTD, WSU 1/4/20161

Introduction E assessment part of WSU e learning strategy Objective 3 & 4 in particular –Capacitate academic staff on e learning ( Professional Development) –Student participation in e learning 1/4/20162

Cont…. Much effort goes into developing the technology for an efficient and easy to use electronic assessment system, BUT Successful implementation depends as much, or even more, on understanding campus culture and using appropriate change strategies 1/4/20163

What’s e assessment? E-assessment - electronic assessment i.e. processes involving the implementation of Information ICT for the recording, transmission, presentation and processing of assessment material Types – Quizzes, discussion forums, group-work, e portfolio etc. Used for formative & summative assessment 1/4/20164

Adoption of e assessment system Two theories used to explore adoption of an e-assessment system, – Rogers’(2003) Diffusion of Innovations and – Eckel and Kezar’s (2003) Mobile Model for Transformational Change 1/4/20165

Roger’s Theory 5 attributes explain 49–87% of the variance in the rate of adoption of innovations: relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability and complexity. 1/4/20166

Cont…. Relative advantage - degree to which an innovation is viewed as better than the idea it supersedes. Compatibility - degree to which the innovation is seen ‘as consistent with the existing values, past experiences and needs of potential adopters ’ 1/4/20167

Cont.. Complexity- degree to which an innovation is viewed as difficult to understand and use Trialability -degree to which an innovation can be experimented with on a limited basis. Observability - degree to which results of an innovation can be seen by potential adopters 1/4/20168

Eckel and Kezar’s Mobile Model for Transformational Change 5 core strategies that explain change across the institutions: senior administrative support (show value, provide resources and add new administrative structures); collaborative leadership; flexible vision (clear and desirable picture of the future that does not foreclose opportunities); 1/4/20169

Cont…. staff development ; and visible actions. 1/4/201610

PURPOSE This study was conducted to identify the factors that would enhance adoption of e-assessment systems and foster sustainment on university campuses. 1/4/201611

Approach Population SoE trained leaders Questionnaire e mailed Out of 35, 12 responded SPSS used to analyse data 1/4/201612

FINDINGS 1/4/201613

Relative advantage 14

Has e-assessment affected your students’ performance? YesNot SureNo 55%20%25% 1/4/ ResponsePercentage Improved their performance 26% Able to understand some concepts better 29% Early days 20%

Cont… 1/4/201616

Cont…… 1/4/201617

Cont… 1/4/201618

Compatibility 1/4/201619

Trialability 1/4/201620

Observability 1/4/201621

Complexity 1/4/201622

Lack of support from top management FrequencyPercent yes433.3 no866.7 Total /4/201623

Current state of computers in our offices is not good FrequencyPercent yes650.0 no650.0 Total /4/201624

Staff Development Were you trained in e-assessment? Frequency Percent Yes No Total /4/201625

Conclusion CLTD on track with its e learning strategy Staff development impacting on staff E assessment - Very useful for Formative assessment Bull & Danson (2004) say it is not a panacea for rising student numbers and marking overload though if used appropriately, it can clearly relieve some of these pressures. If used formatively to provide detailed and timely feedback, it can support and enhance student learning in ways which are not possible with paper-based assessments. 1/4/201626

Recommendations Integrate e - assessment into WSU assessment policies and practices 1/4/ CLTD to promote it, incentivise its use Improve WiseUp technology Lecturers made aware of this feature More computers and internet access More training to both students and staff Networking being reliable Obtain word recognition software to assist in essay marking To make sure that is always reliable

THANK YOU !! 1/4/201628