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  EDPR 6011: The academic profession: Challenges & changes in higher education  
  Assessment  
  Satisfactory completion of the unit is based on the production of the following pieces of work:  
  Negotiated learning contract Required  
  Context essay 25% (approx. 1,500 words)  
  Revised negotiated learning contract Required  
  Major Essay 50% (approx. 2,500 words)  
  Report of actions and reflections
and Self-assessment schedule 		25 % (approx. 1,500 words)  
       
  Each task contributes equally to the assessment outcome and each task must be completed satisfactorily to pass the unit.

The context essay and the major essay may both be on topics in the same module, but they must be on different topics within one module or from two different modules.

The major essay must focus on one topic which is being covered in depth. For the other topics a record of actions and reflections and the context essay will suffice. The learning log or journal is necessary in order to complete the report on actions and reflections and the self-assessment schedule.

The learning contract will detail the precise specification of all assessment items which may be varied to suit circumstances. For example, instead of the report on actions and reflections, a unit of study outline devised by the course member may be presented to demonstrate that action has been taken with respect to one of the essay topics.

  
     
  Criteria  
 

The indicative criteria for judging that the work is of an acceptable standard are:

  • The work represents standards of good academic writing
  • The work is of publishable standard, on the road to being a conference paper. It may not necessarily represent original work but may integrate existing research and/or theory
  • The work demonstrates that the course has been taken seriously
  • The work demonstrates a knowledge of the literature of the course

Further criteria and/or variations of these criteria will be negotiated as part of the learning contract.

  
   
 
Standards to be used in assessing the work
  
 
The following descriptors are based on Biggs’ SOLO taxonomy (1999). They are a revised version of descriptors used in the MEd program at Hong Kong Polytechnic and are used ina ll ITL units of study.

For all assignments at least ‘credit’ must be achieved for a pass. ‘Unsatisfactory’ and ‘Very Unsatisfactory’ will be judged ‘not yet satisfactory’. If, after resubmission, an assessed task is still judged ‘Unsatisfactory’ or ‘Very Unsatisfactory’ it will be assessed as ‘unsatisfactory.’ The best pieces of assessed work will be at the ‘distinction and ‘Merit levels and this will be reflected in the marks.

  
     
 
Distinction As for the standard for merit. Also, the work shows a high degree of originality. There is evidence that views of teaching and learning in professional, vocational and/or higher education and their application in practice have been internalized and made personal. Good evidence of reflection on own teaching practice, and suggestions of possible ways of improvement. Ability to generalise the subject content to areas not covered in formal class sessions.
   
Merit The work shows a good appreciation of the general purpose of the assignment topic, good coverage with relevant and accurate support. Demonstrates a clear view of how the various aspects of the topic integrate to meet the purpose. Good evidence of application of assignment content to practice.
   
CREDIT The work is relevant, accurate and covers several aspects of the assignment topic. Demonstration of understanding in relation to a reasonable amount of the content. Some, but limited evidence of an overall integrative view of the topic and limited application or integration.
   
Fail/Unsatisfactory The information in the various aspects of the work is relevant and accurate, but is isolated and insufficient and only covers a limited aspect of the topic.
   
Fail/Very
Unsatisfactory 		The information is irrelevant, inaccurate or misjudged. Excessive absence from sessions or failure to submit in the agreed time frame.