All News

Completion of EMA Programme
An abstract picture of multi-coloured beads on white paper.
The three-year Electronic Management of Assessment (EMA) Programme has now closed, as planned, on 31 ...
Read More
Blackboard Catalyst Award and Celebration
The Blackboard Catalyst Award at the EMA Awards Celebration 2019
On Thursday 13th June, the EMA team was delighted to welcome colleagues from across a ...
Read More
Second Screen Requests Deadline: 12th July
Dual computer screens side by side on a desk.
We would like to remind staff that the EMA Programme is pleased to be able ...
Read More
Interview: Moving to Blackboard Organisations for External Examiners
Yota Dimitriadi in interview
In this latest EMA Interview, Dr Yota Dimitriadi speaks to Daniela Standen and Rachel Wood ...
Read More
What do Reading students think about online assessment?
Students taking part in a focus group
Since the start of the EMA Programme we had been aware of student feeling surrounding ...
Read More
EMA Programme: Finalist in e-Assessment Awards 2019
Finalist badge for e-Assessment Awards 2019
Following a nomination back in January, we have just been informed that the EMA Programme ...
Read More
Adjust your computer settings to help you mark online
There are a number of features, preferences and extensions built into to your computer and ...
Read More
Custom Quickmarks: 21 New Comments to Help Students Act on Feedback
An abstract picture of multi-coloured beads on white paper.
Emma Mayhew (EMA Academic Director), Geoff Taggart (EMA Academic Partner) and Michelle Reid (Study Advisor) ...
Read More
Integration Update: Post Go-Live Support
A metaphorical light bulb drawn on a blackboard with the caption 'Integration'
The second go-live for EMA Integration took place on 1st February 2019, which means that ...
Read More
Marking Online: Hints & Tips
Are you marking coursework and returning feedback to your students online?  Go to the TEL ...
Read More
Disseminating our experiences at the Blackboard Users’ Conference
Vikki Holmes presenting at Durham
The work of the EMA Programme was profiled earlier this month at the annual Blackboard ...
Read More
Integration is Live! What happens next?
A metaphorical light bulb drawn on a blackboard with the caption 'Integration'
The first EMA Integration, between RISIS and Blackboard, successfully went live on schedule for the ...
Read More
Integration between Blackboard and RISIS: Pre Go-Live Information
A metaphorical light bulb drawn on a blackboard with the caption 'Integration'
Integration between Blackboard and RISIS – Go-Live on 3rd January!   The “go-live” of the ...
Read More
December ‘Mince Pie Briefing’: Wrap-up
Colleagues taking their seats at the December Mince Pie briefing.
December 12th saw the EMA Programme hold the latest in its series of 'EMA Programme ...
Read More
How does the EMA Programme support the work of the Academic Tutor System?
A screenshot of the academic tutor system logo with the caption 'Students. academics and professional service staff working in partnership'
The EMA Programme and the Academic Tutor System are working collaboratively to support student success ...
Read More
Integration Training Dates (for Programme Administrators)
A blurred out calendar with the caption 'Tel Training Session'
TEL: EMA USING BLACKBOARD WITH RISIS INTEGRATION These sessions are specifically designed for Administrators.  They ...
Read More
Did you know… about all the new reports in RISIS?
A screenshot of RISIS with the caption 'Did you know?'
Did you know… about the range of functionality now available to you in RISIS? The ...
Read More
EMA Integration: Update and Go-Live Date
A metaphorical light bulb drawn on a blackboard with the caption 'Integration'
Update: We are pleased to be able to now provide a comprehensive update on EMA ...
Read More
Questions about using system tools or increased screen time? Where you can go for support
A question mark drawn on a chalkboard.
This academic year the EMA programme is supporting the majority of Schools to increase electronic ...
Read More
Guidance: How to acquire a second screen to make online marking easier
Dual computer screens side by side on a desk.
How can I get a second screen to make online marking easier? During discussions with ...
Read More
Interview: Amanda Cockayne (Programme Director)
Amanda Cockayne is Programme Director of the PGCE Primary programme in the Institute of Education. In this ...
Read More
NEW: Online Resource Map
An Image depicting the Online Resource Map.
The EMA Programme have created an Online Resource Map in liaison with colleagues from the Technology Enhanced ...
Read More
NEW: Download Quickmarks Sets
About Quickmarks A ‘quickmark’ is a tailor-made bubble comment which tutors tend to use repeatedly ...
Read More
Academic and Support Centre Roles and Responsibilities for Electronic Management of Assessment
A Decorative image of board game counters placed to portray strategy.
Dear Colleagues, This year the Electronic Management of Assessment Programme (EMA) is helping schools across ...
Read More
New: TEL eSFG Support Resources
Screenshot of the 'Blackboard Help for Staff' webpage
The TEL team have been working to prepare resources and training for the rollout of ...
Read More
#Remaking Marking Conference: Overview
Attendees sat at the REmaking Marking conference
On Tuesday 4th September 2018, 74 colleagues representing 34 UK Higher Education institutions attended the ...
Read More
Student Progress Dashboard- Project Initiation Approved
A picture of a phone and laptop with blank screens in a study environment.
We are pleased to report that after detailed project scoping work, in late July the ...
Read More
Interview: Professor Cindy Becker (Audio Feedback)
A picture of Professor Cindy Becker in interview.
In this interview, Professor Cindy Becker talks about her experiences implementing audio feedback in her ...
Read More
Experience of EMA: Luisa Ciampi (SPA)
Experience of EMA: Luisa Ciampi (SPA) Role: Senior Programme Administrator   Previous experience of electronic management ...
Read More
EMA Breakfast Briefing (27/06/18)
The lecture theatre prior to the breakfast briefing
On Wednesday 27th June the EMA Programme held one of our regular 'Breakfast Briefings'. These ...
Read More
Student Focus Groups Underway
Students taking part in a focus group
The University is running a major programme to improve the experience of assessment for students ...
Read More
[EVENT] Remaking Marking: Electronic Management of Assessment National Conference
Remaking Marking Conference poster, displaying birds migrating in an arrow formation
On September 4th 2018, the EMA Programme is hosting a one-day national conference, at the University of Reading, ...
Read More
Experience of EMA: Sophie Harrington (Student)
Sophie Harrington Experience of EMA profile picture
Experience of EMA: Sophie Harrington Role: Student, BA English Literature   Previous experience of electronic management ...
Read More
Experience of EMA: Dr Nicola Abram (Lecturer)
Nicola Abram Experience of EMA profile picture
Experience of EMA: Dr Nicola Abram Role: Lecturer in Literatures in English   Previous experience of ...
Read More
Case Study: Using Quickmarks and Rubrics in Assessment
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Catherine Foley Catherine Foley is a lecturer in Primary Maths Education in the Institute of ...
Read More
The EMA Symposium: Sharing Knowledge, Good Practice, and Cake
Emma Mayhew welcomes attendees at the EMA symposium
Dr Madeleine Davies and Dr Emma Mayhew On Tuesday 22nd May 2018, over 150 colleagues from across the university ...
Read More
#REMA18: Twitter Feed
Bowls of coloured sweets displayed to replicate the EMA logo
Today the EMA Symposium (#REMA18) took place at the University of Reading, generating a lot ...
Read More
Case Study: Changing the Assessment Experience of Professional Staff in SAPD
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Emily Parsons Emily Parsons is a Senior Programme Administrator within the School of Agriculture, Policy and ...
Read More
Experience of EMA: Stephanie Sharp (Lecturer)
Stephanie Sharp Experience of EMA profile picture
Experiences of EMA: Stephanie Sharp Role: Lecturer BA Ed (QTS) with English Specialism   Previous experience ...
Read More
Official Programme: EMA symposium (#REMA18)
A poster for the EMA symposium
Today we are pleased to present the official programme for the EMA Symposium (#REMA18), which ...
Read More
Case Study: Improving Assessment Writing and Grading Skills Through the Use of a Rubric
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Dr Bolanle Adebola Today we present a new EMA case study by Dr Bolanle Adebola. Dr ...
Read More
Upcoming: EMA Symposium (#REMA18)
A poster for the EMA symposium
We are delighted to announce that the EMA programme is hosting a one-day EMA Symposium on online ...
Read More
Upcoming Event: EMA Online Submission & Marking Introduction
A large lecture theatre viewed form the back
Thursday 26th April, The EMA programme will be hosting an EMA Online Submission and Marking Introduction session, ...
Read More
Case Study: Making Use of Grademark in Geography and Environmental Science (Professor Andrew Wade)
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Professor Andrew Wade Today we present a new EMA case study by Professor Andrew Wade ...
Read More
Case Study: E-Submission, Marking and Feedback (Pilar Gray Carlos)
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Pilar Gray Carlos Pilar Gray-Carlos is a Lecturer and Institution Wide Language Programme Coordinator for ...
Read More
Case Study: Electronic Feedback and Grading Methods (Dr Geoff Taggart)
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Dr Geoff Taggart Dr Geoff Taggart is a lecturer in the Institute of Education and Programme ...
Read More
The EMA Programme: One Year On
EMA programme
One year ago the Electronic Management of Assessment (EMA) Programme secured full agreement to proceed ...
Read More
Case Study: Pre-Sessional English Use of Grademark (Rob Playfair)
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Rob Playfair On the pre-sessional English (PSE) course, in the summer of 2017, the course ...
Read More
Wider Rollout: eSFG Briefing for School T&L Leadership
Attendees at the EMA symposium
The eSubmission, Feedback and Grading (eSFG) Work Stream ran a briefing today for all Teaching ...
Read More
Case Study: Assessment Using Blackboard Learning Journals and Turnitin Feedback Tools (Dr Madeleine Davies)
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Dr Madeleine Davies This Case Study outlines the use of Learning Journals and online marking ...
Read More
Exploring Institution Wide EMA Adoption at the Blackboard Users’ Conference
Emma Mayhew (Academic Director, EMA) and Maria Papaefthimiou (Senior TEL Advisor) headed north this week ...
Read More
Go-Live: Sub Modular Marks
Colleagues from the core systems work stream.
After 7 months of preparation, development and testing, the Core Systems workstream celebrated the go-live ...
Read More
(Listen) Electronic Submission, Feedback and Grading: An Interview with Lecturer Jonathan Smith
Jonathan Smith profile picture
Jonathan Smith is the School Director for Technology Enhanced Learning in ISLI. He is also ...
Read More
Case Study: Using Rubrics to Transform the Marking and Feedback Experience (Professor Will Hughes)
A library shelf image with the caption 'New EMA Case Study'
Professor Will Hughes Professor Will Hughes has extensively used rubric grids within Grademark across of ...
Read More
Core Systems Team Holds Fourth Breakfast Briefing with Programme Administration Colleagues
Attendess at the spring breakfast briefing.
The Core Systems Work Stream held a fourth breakfast briefing for all Programme Administrative colleagues ...
Read More
Demonstrating New RISIS Screens at the School of Humanities and the School of Law
A diagram displaying the assignment life-cycle in the style of the EMA logo
Kat Lee, lead for the Core Systems Work Stream, and Emma Mayhew attended the Autumn ...
Read More
EMA Graduate Partners Recruited
Yara El Gowhary, Sarah Craig and AJck Lambert-Taylor in the Harris garden
Over the past three months the EMA programme has recruited three Graduate Partners, joining the ...
Read More