Editor's Notes

1. Presentation on the roll-out of pre-entry assessments at a UK higher education institutionI was not involved heavily at the start of this project but will try and be holistic in describing it, thanks to the Admissions team and colleagues in Learning Technology for their assistanceAs stated in the paper I submitted, the main reason for discussing this today was really to try and get an idea for how others are dealing with this issueRecently I have been asked to get more involved in this process as I will describe, however, any views expressed here will be my own rather than BPP’s
2. This is the running order of the presentationSince paper submitted has actually changed quite a lot so what presented today is correct as of where we currently are
3. Quote from The Independent:http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/american-owner-of-mcdonalds-of-higher-education-gets-foothold-in-uk-market-1780552.htmlExplanation of receipt of degree awarding powers and BPP’s position within Apollo GlobalA new kind of organisation…
4. … leads to the problem of what kind of organisation to be, simply pick up the students failing to get in elsewhere (for example BBC reports that private HEIs are to be created effectively meet market demand).Recruitment of [undergraduate]students policy, including how to deal with them being:Geographically diverse Academically diverse Leads to approach to student selection that is… 'open access’ to undergraduates This is worked into conditions of programme validation Anyone over 18 can apply Previously only Welcome Intranet for incoming studentsStudents already accepted Limited ability to tailor studies this late How judge students prior to offering a place and acquire information to help them come into the programme at the appropriate level.Ucas plagiarism checking: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=415233&c=1
5. Solution to test incoming LLB and BSc students to judge if:They are suitable for the course they are applying forIf they have the skills (inc. English language) to study the programmeIdentify support requirements, level they may be able to study at, etc.Combine with comprehensive interview. Depending on student location all or parts of the interview/testing may be done remotely.Overall - Aim to test skills not knowledge - all applicants who did not possess actual UCAS tariff points sat for the test - Give those with tertiary background a chance, The blackboard solution was simply a single Test for the LLB combining MCQs and free text entry, For the BSc there were two tests, SCORM for the MCQs and Blackboard for the free text…
6. …However approx. 1/3 had some kind of technical problem.As discussed at London User Group meetings and I’m sure no surprise to people who’ve used the test engine before there have been a lot of problems.Blackboard related Crashing (very difficult to verify) Logins not work Students unclear over when completed Students using incorrect navigation (back button etc.) Timer not working properly Time-outs (2) Platform related Non-supported systems Russia and iPhones Brazil and mobile connection (3) User error Students not experienced in Bb/VLE Y13 students Students not with English as a first language
7. I’ve recently become involved to try and improve the tests, have advocated the usual approach to Bb tests:Stress browsers need to be usedClear instructionsReform tests, break into smaller ones, etc.However, if not work:QM and TurnItIn will have to be looked into. QM would offer mobile but long text answers more difficult.QM have announced will be working with SecureExamManagement/ownership issues in recent weeks:Academics?Admissions? LT?IT?Exams? Changes to the actual admissions policy itself:- Unconditional on actual UCAS tariff points \r\n- Conditional on expected tariff points (300 UCAS - 260 for BSc)[100 points for an A; 240 = 3 C's]\r\n-Test will remain for those who do, or cannot, meet the tariff points (i.e. mainly for International students)\r\n-Now the criteria for entry has changed, we are able to offer students who we believe will obtain over 240 UCAS tariff points conditional offers upon meeting this tariff point requirement.  Students who we feel will not meet this will be put forward for the test.  For the foreseeable future, there will be no minimum for automatic rejection.