Well semester 1 has started... I can where did all that time go? This semester I am teaching HIT1301 Algorithmic Problem Solving again, and as always there are improvements to be made. This semester most of the changes revolve around the assessment, with some minor changes to the lectures and resources available.
On the assessment side of things the assessment will be much more flexible than in the past. Basically for APS there will be some core assignments and tests, each quite short but covering all the basics. Passing these means you pass the subject, in most cases you need to get them working to pass so dont think 50% = pass for these! To get anything greater than this students will need to submit a portfolio that shows their capabilities and depth of understanding of software development. This means students can choose what they want to focus on, while still ensuring they cover all bases. The focus of this assessment is on depth of understanding and quality of work, rather than quantity.
I'll keep you informed of how this goes... Let me know what you think of the idea.
In other news we are (well Clinton really) making progress with the new python port of SwinGame. This will mean that you will be able to call the SwinGame API from Python... the next step is to embed Python within SwinGame :)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Portfolio Assessment
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5 comments:
Unless you can convince all the other academic staff to follow your assessment framework, you're going to end up having most of the students dislike your assessment (for being complex and difficult to work with when compared to other subjects). This could lead to both the subject and you, as the front-man, being disliked too.
It's not a popularity game, but the PSD has enough troubles getting students by the sounds of it and many have said they don't want to do Enterprise/Advanced .NET/Java so that they don't have to deal with non-standard assessment schemes.
Agree with previous commenter. While these assessment models are a good idea, they have to be cohesively implemented, otherwise you do run the risk of creating a disconnect between subjects that run this way and subjects that run a more "conventional" marking scheme.
This is the downside of Thinking at the Edge™: one has to be careful not to fall off...
Its interesting that you think this is more "complex and difficult". It is more flexible, but should be quite easy to follow. The assessment is more open for students to follow their own interests rather than having to follow a set path.
I'm also interested in your comments regarding Advanced/Enterprise .NET. In the past these have had "conventional" assessment, the portfolio is being introduced into APS this semester.
This portoflio assessment system really works, unlike exams where you have to write code on paper?!
Anyway, I wished I did all my introductory programming subjects like this ... it's the only method I've found that really works so far.
I'm going to finish my degree next semester, and I want to do a subject that is portfolio driven and feedback driven. Like, something as far away from the assesment methods used in LAN Principles as possible. I'm not badmouthig LAN principles, I'm sure the assessment method works for lots of people but not me. I end up learning nothing.
Can you suggest a subject?
Thanks.
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