The University is running a major programme to improve the experience of assessment for students and understanding the student perspective is extremely important. The EMA Programme recently started running small focus group discussions with a diverse range of students to explore how we could make better use of the data we now have on their assessment as a result of making sub modular marks available in RISIS.   We ran our first session in June with undergraduates and it proved a very informative and successful event.  During a frank and open discussion, participants shared their experiences and expectations of personal progress tracking tools both within educational contexts and outside of it: what they do well and what the challenges can be.  In the second half of the session, we ran some activities to uncover what features students would value and what approaches work well or less well.  Some of the comments were expected and intuitive, some less so, which is what makes...

On September 4th 2018, the EMA Programme is hosting a one-day national conference, at the University of Reading, exploring electronic management of assessment across the UK HE sector. This event brings together speakers from five UK institutions to support dissemination of knowledge and the sharing of good practice surrounding EMA defined broadly to include all aspects of technology enhanced assessment. We will explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding the introduction of EMA including change design, effect on policy and process, the optimal use of existing technology and evidenced impact on the staff and student experience. The event includes presentations focused on both online term time assessment and (although not within the scope of Reading’s own EMA Programme) digital exams. The conference is being run in association with the new Advance HE Interdisciplinary Network for Research-informed Assessment Practices group and is taking place in the Meadow Suite from 10.30-15.45. University of Reading colleagues are warmly welcomed and are able to sign up using Employee Self Service. Colleagues external to Reading are able...

Catherine Foley Catherine Foley is a lecturer in Primary Maths Education in the Institute of Education. She is Director of the Primary School Direct programme which trains people to be teachers whilst they are working in schools. Her experience of electronic marking relates primarily to a 20 credit postgraduate module which is part of this programme, developing the reflective practice and critical thinking of the trainees. Read Catherine's Case Study....

Dr Madeleine Davies and Dr Emma Mayhew On Tuesday 22nd May 2018, over 150 colleagues from across the university gathered in the Meadow Suite to hear a series of presentations and to engage in conversations about the work that the EMA Programme has been doing to prepare for roll-out of online assessment and feedback. Colleagues from the majority of Schools and units across the university were represented and staff from academic Schools, Support Centres, and CQSD shared experience and good practice. An active Twitter feed provided live commentary on the presentations and activities (120 tweets and re-tweets) and reflected an atmosphere that was informative and wholly positive. The event was organised by Dr Emma Mayhew (EMA Academic Director) and Dr Madeleine Davies (EMA Academic Partner) and was introduced by Professor Gavin Brooks, the Programme’s sponsor. The Vice-Chancellor attended for the first hour of the event which was supported throughout by colleagues from TEL. As well as seven panels involving presentations given by 21 colleagues, the day...

Today the EMA Symposium (#REMA18) took place at the University of Reading, generating a lot of Twitter activity. You can check out the full #REMA18 feed on Twitter. Alternatively, take a look at some of the highlights below: https://twitter.com/emmamayhew9/status/998435038776741888 https://twitter.com/UniRdg_TEL/status/998848047424720897 https://twitter.com/AdrianStorrier/status/998923971226669056 https://twitter.com/adamrgb/status/998853029259632640 https://twitter.com/C_J_Smith/status/998941149032304640 https://twitter.com/dr_nutt/status/998843040147046400...

Emily Parsons Emily Parsons is a Senior Programme Administrator within the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD). Online assessment has been adopted throughout the SAPD, impacting academic and non-academic colleagues. In this case study, Emily outlines the experiences of her Support Centre team working with SAPD as an Early Adopter School. Read Emily's Case Study....

Today we are pleased to present the official programme for the EMA Symposium (#REMA18), which will take place on Tuesday 22nd May in the Meadow Suite at Park House. Click here to view the programme. The event will run from 09:15 to 16:00 but colleagues can sign up for just the morning session (09:30 to 13:00 including lunch), the afternoon session (12:15 to 16:00 including lunch) or join us for the whole day! If you have not yet signed up, you can still do so via Employee Self Service. For the morning session click here. Or, for the afternoon click here. If you wish to attend the full day, please sign up for both....