1. Pulling up your briefs: Accessible assessment processes
Dr Debra Cureton

2. Overview The University of Wolverhampton WhatWorks @Wolves?
Inclusive assessment approach
Evaluation
Embedding and Impact
Project Team

3. University of Wolverhampton
West Midlands, Post 1992 University
180 years old
18 Schools housed in 4 faculties
Widening Participation University
40% part time students
40% mature students
High proportion of students who are first in family
90% of students commute from a 25 mile radius
Diverse student body
47% are UK born students from minority backgrounds
Range of ethnicities make up minority groups
University of Opportunity
Equality in retention & success of students - key strategic goal
KPI reduce degree differentials to less than 5% by 2021

4. What Works? Cross University initiative Active learning intervention
3 pilot teams
Sports
Art and Design
Bio Medical Science
Active learning intervention
Inclusive assessment processes
Clear assignment briefs
Assignment processing

5. Characteristics of successful assignment briefs:
Includes information on:
Product
Process
Useful examples
Marking criteria
What markers will give points for/ are looking for
Language is appropriate
to a student audience
to the subject matter
Fit for level
Logical Structure
Information in all one place
1 – 1.5 sides of A4
Clear, succinct, no jargon, informative.

6. Student led unpacking sessions
Three key principles for processing an assessment with students in-class:
Students should lead discussions and share their understanding of the brief
Students should be encouraged to ask questions about what they do not understand
Lectures discuss what is not understood and rectify misunderstandings

7. Quantitative Evaluation
Qualitative Feedback
Student levels 4,5,6,7
Enhanced confidence
Aspiration raising
Meaningful discussions
Staff
Greater engagement
Areas of misunderstanding
Less questions about what to do and more theoretical discussion
50% and Above
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
Impact
BME
37%
72%
74%
+37%
White
53%
61%
70%
+17%
60% and Above
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
Impact
BME
18%
51%
55%
+37%
White
27%
34%
40%
+13%
70% and Above
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
Impact
BME
14%
30%
35%
+21%
White
19%
27%
+13%
The tables above show the attainment rates in all modules included in WhatWorks? for the year before the start of the project and through rollout.
Comparison modules

8. Embedding and Impact Rollout plans in 3 Faculties Assessment Cafes
Different approaches including Peer Review & Systematic Rollout
Assessment Cafes
Part of the GTA’s Job Role
Belongingness is core university business
Annual Attainment Summit (SU)
Reduction in degree differential outcomes
What works resources are on the student landing page
WhatWorks how to be successful posters (used annually)
Assessment guide, includes the accessible assessment approach
Belongingness is a core consideration
Faculty Development Plan
Personal Tutoring Plan
Learning. Teaching and assessment sub-strategy
Central to SU annual questionnaire
Further University funded research
As an aside I was at our University Academic Enchantment committee, and everyone from facilities, through faculties to the Students’ Union were talking about how belongingness was embedded within their work

11. Thank you for Listening
With thanks to all the students who took part and the research partners below:
Team
Project Lead:
Dr Debra Cureton, Doctoral College
Strategic Leads:
Dr Alexandra Hopkins, Dean of Academic Development and Enhancement, Offices of the Vice Chancellor
Mr Jon Elsmore, Dean of Students, Offices of the Dean of Students
Discipline Leads
Dr Mark Groves – Sport
Dr Martin Khechara – Science
Dr Peter Day - Arts
Discipline Team Senior Advocates:
Dr Kay Biscomb, Head of the Institute of Sport, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing
Dr Crispin Dale, Principal Lecturer for Learning and Teaching, Faculty of the Arts
Mr Chris Williams, Principal Lecturer Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Student’s Union Representation:
Ms Ann Gough, CEO of the University of Wolverhampton Students Union
Ms Zoe Harrison, President of the Students Union 2014/15
Ms Zoe Harrison, Vice President Academic of the Students Union, 2013/14
Ms Marie Cheer, Vice President Academic of the Students Union, 2012/13