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Online Assessment Initiative

Background

A diversity of assessment approaches are essential to support student learning.  The provision of online assessment has gained sectoral significance following the pandemic, and the University needs to develop a longer-term approach to online assessment that will support the full lifecycle of assessment from design and delivery through to marking, moderation and external examination, the transfer of marks, and reporting.  Online assessment is defined as: 

 

approaches that are enabled by a variety of digital technologies to include online exams, online assignments and activities, online submissions and technology-enabled feedback.

 

Initiative Description

In September 2022 an Online Assessment Working Group was established under the chair of Professor Marie Clarke, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, to inform university wide policy on online assessment.  Members have been drawn from the academic community, relevant support functions and the UCD Student’s Union.  The working group will report to the University Management Team Education Group (UMT EG), with updates as necessary to the Academic Council and its Executive Committee.

Programme of work

  1. Conduct a university-wide consultation process to explore current online assessment practices and areas for development.
  2. Consider the evidence and data relating to both the pedagogy and the operation of online assessment, to best inform approaches for its adoption in UCD.
  3. Consider and make recommendations relating to resources to best support online assessment.
  4. Ensure that the project approach upholds, at all stages, the promotion of academic integrity, access, quality assurance in academic delivery, and data security.
  5. Consider and make recommendations relating to necessary training and supports for faculty, staff, and students to ensure the successful implementation of online assessment.
  6. Be cognisant of possible changes to existing policies and regulations, and to notify the appropriate governance body in a timely manner.
  7. Agree and oversee university-wide communications relating to the implementation of online assessment, if adopted.
  8. Consider and report on benefits and risks of the implementation of online assessment and provide appropriate mitigation measures in respect of the latter.

Initiative Reports

Online Assessment in UCD: Outcomes of Consultation with Schools

The Online Assessment in UCD report presents the findings from a consultation held with UCD schools from October to December 2022.  The findings from this consultation are very important as they provide insights into the lived experience of faculty using online assessment during Covid-19, their analysis of that experience and dimensions of online assessment which they found both challenging and beneficial. Many useful insights emerged in relation to areas for further development, academic integrity, additional resources and training necessary to support a successful approach to online assessment.

 

Online Assessment Review of Literature

The Online Assessment Review of Literature, undertaken by Dr Marion Palmer, considers a wide range of scholarly literature, grey literature and educational resources for online (digital) assessment published over the last five years (2018-2023). Interviews were held with UCD experts and relevant UCD documents were consulted to provide the context for the review.  The COVID-19 pandemic changed assessment practices worldwide from 2000-2022 and the impact of moving assessment online is explored. The review also explores different aspects of online assessment including the electronic management of assessment and online exams. Assessment design and the technology used to support online assessment are also discussed. Faculty and student responses to online assessment, and institutional capacity for online assessment are discussed, and a final set of conclusions are presented.

 

Outcomes of Student Survey on Online Assessment, Academic Integrity and Ethical Practice

The Outcomes of Student Survey on Online Assessment, Academic Integrity and Ethical Practice is a report on the outcomes of research exploring the interrelationship between online assessment and student academic integrity and ethical practice at UCD. The research was conducted as part of a wider set of initiatives in UCD to ensure that the university’s response to, and management of, online learning is effective and evidence-based, and has appropriate regard for academic integrity and ethical practice. Specifically, this study aims to enhance our understanding of students’ experiences of online assessment, as well as their perspectives on ethical practice, academic integrity and academic misconduct (such as plagiarism, contract cheating, collusion, unauthorised use of artificial intelligence (AI) generators, and exam cheating).  It also considers students’ feedback on the information provided by UCD on academic integrity and the university’s expectations surrounding assessment behaviour. The study investigates how these experiences and perceptions influence students’ choices, particularly in the context of online assessment.

Online Assessment Initiative Milestones

Key milestones of the Online Assessment Initiative.

Learn More

For more information about online assessment see the Online Assessment Review of Literature or for guidance on how to design and implement assessment see Key Assessment Types.  

For questions relating to the initiative contact judith.archbold@ucd.ie  Senior Project Manager, UCD Teaching and Learning or

keith.barrett@ucd.ie Senior Business Analyst, UCD Assessment.