Education EnhancementMaking the most of your assessment & feedback at Strathclyde
Assessment is an integral part of your experience at university
Throughout your time at University, it is important that you use assessment and feedback processes effectively to enhance your learning.
At Strathclyde, we believe that assessment and feedback enable you to develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills you need to succeed in your studies and beyond. This resource outlines what you can expect from assessment and feedback processes at Strathclyde, and what Strathclyde expects from you as an active and independent student.
What is assessment?
An assessment is any activity which provides you with an opportunity to develop and review your knowledge, understanding and skills. The tasks may be set by staff but can also include peer and self-assessment activities. Assessment will assist in shaping and developing your abilities, rather than simply measure what you have achieved.
Over the course of your programme you will experience a range of different assessment methods. Sometimes an assessment will contribute to your module or programme grade, however, sometimes it will be simply an opportunity to help you develop your understanding or those skills that are valued outside the university.
Assessments can include:
- written exams or class tests (which can be in-person or online, open-book or closed-book, and may be invigilated)
- written assignments (such as essays or reports)
- oral presentations
- multimedia presentations (such as posters, videos, podcasts, photography and digital artefacts,)
- quizzes
- group working activities and tasks
- peer and self-assessments
- reflective accounts/diaries
- blogs
- wikis
- tutorials
- practical or lab-based assessments
- work or placement assessments
- project work
- dissertations
- oral assessments and vivas
You can expect your assessments to:
- provide opportunities to develop and demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and skills
- be outlined at the beginning of the module, including providing details about the:
- purpose – how the assessment aligns with the intended learning outcomes of the module;
- weighting – how much the assessment contributes towards your final mark, if at all;
- timing – the date of the assessment deadline;
- marking criteria – the criteria that will be used to assess your work; and,
- feedback method – the date that you can expect to receive feedback and the expected format.
- be inclusive and accessible to all students
- vary in format across your degree (for example, exams amd presentations)
- become more challenging as you progress through your programme
- be anonymously marked (where appropriate)
- be fair, consistent and fit for purpose
You are expected to:
- find out what is required for your assessments
- devote appropriate time and effort to the assessment
- ensure your academic work is authentic and honestly produced. and appropriately referenced in alignment with the expectations of your module handbook. Read the University’s guidance on Maintaining Academic Integrity
- read and understand the assessment criteria that is used to grade and give feedback on your work
- seek advice if you require clarification on the assessment criteria or any other part of the assessment
- submit a request for an extension on the submission of your coursework in good time if you are unable to meet a deadline due to personal circumstances. You should also supply details (and, if possible, evidence) of your personal circumstances via Pegasus.
What is feedback?
Feedback describes any information about your performance on an assessment or other learning activity. Feedback can come from staff, you, your peers, and from others who engage with your work (for example, a placement mentor). Your feedback will be constructive and allow you to identify the strengths of your work and highlight areas that need improvement. However, feedback is only truly useful if you read, reflect and act on it.
Feedback can include:
- grades (numerical)
- written or verbal comments
- verbal feedback in lectures, tutorials and meetings
- generic comments delivered to a group or class as a whole
- peer comments and discussion
- individual reflection
- the use of apps and voting software in lectures
- responses to questions and posts on online discussion fora
- responses to emails
- informal discussions
- provision of model answers and guidance
You can expect your feedback to:
- be fair, inclusive and accessible
- be returned by the time stated. In the event that it cannot be returned on time, this will be communicated to you along with a new date of when to expect it
- be communicated with sufficient time for you to act on it before the deadline of a related assessment
- be constructive so that you know what you have done well and what you need to do to improve
- be supportive and encouraging in tone
- help you understand the extent to which your work has fulfilled the assessment criteria
- be based solely on your attainment of the assessment criteria
- support you in the development of your future work
You are expected to:
- find out how and when feedback is provided
- devote appropriate time and effort to read, understand, reflect and act on your feedback
- use your feedback to inform future work
- seek academic support if needed. For example, if feedback is unclear, contact the relevant member of staff to discuss your feedback
- seek study support if required. For example, from the Learner Development Services
- discuss feedback matters with fellow students and staff as appropriate. This could involve arranging a study group with your peers to reflect on feedback
- give feedback to staff on assessment and feedback practices within individual classes and across your degree programme
Student advice & support
The assessment & feedback process can cause a wide range of emotions from happiness to frustration. If you feel you are in need of additional support or assistance you should contact your module or programme leader, and where appropriate, seek support from the University Disability & Wellbeing Service. You can also get support from services such as the Learner Development Service, Strath Union Advice Hub, and the Chaplaincy Centre.