Edinburgh's Telford College established an e-assessment center, launched in November 2009, to enhance the assessment process through technology over traditional methods. The center has facilitated a variety of assessments, achieving a high student satisfaction rate with instant feedback and supportive learning environments. Usage statistics show significant engagement, with over 7,100 students assessed and a commitment to continuous improvement in learning experiences and assessment quality.

1. Edinburgh’s Telford CollegeBuilding the e-Assessment Centree-Assessment Scotland ConferenceFriday 26thAugust2011

2. So How Did It All Start? Learning and Teaching @ETC Project – September 08Request for Change Submitted to SMT – January 09Visits to Aberdeen College

3. Building the CentreBuilt Summer 2009 – Launched November 2009Set up to BSI Standards and External Awarding Body SpecificationsSQA Guide to Effective Practice

4. Advantages e-Assessment is becoming widely used in Further Education and has many advantages over traditional (paper-based) assessment which includes:lower long-term costsprovides instant feedback to students and tutorsgreater flexibility with respect to location and timinggreater storage efficiency - tens of thousands of answer scripts can be stored on a server compared to the physical space required for paper scriptsenhanced question styles which incorporate interactivity and multimedia.

5. So How Did We Set Up The Centre?Storage Areas and Numbering System Set UpGolden RulesPC Layout PostersForms CreatedBooking Form & ProcedureRegistersChecklistsRoom ChecklistTutor/Student EvaluationsIssues Sheet

9. External Awarding Bodies SQA (SOLAR – BTL Platform)C&G (GOLA)MicrosoftAAT (BTL Platform)PrometricCertiportPearson Vue Platforms

10. Packages Used QuestionmarkInquizitorSOLAR – SQA GOLA – C&GTest VQSAGECISCOAATPearson Vue

11. Types of Assessment TakenFormative – 144Sessions Summative – 200Sessions Diagnostic – 315Sessions Gaming – 2 Sessions

12. Security SettingsBrowse Control – Locks down PC’s & Monitor, Blocks Applications and Web SitesSQA SOLAR Secure BrowserAAT Secure BrowserQuestionmark SecureiTalc

13. Promotional ActivitiesDrop InsFlyers – QuestionmarkDirect MarketingManagers Paper/QuestionnaireSOLAR Updates

14. Usage Statistics7,108Students through centre since opening79% Uptime (May & June 2011)

15. Quality IssuesSummative ProcessApproval of e-Assessments - SQASQA e-Assessment Group

16. HMIe – Curriculum for ExcellenceEnthusiasm and motivation for learningUse technology for learningLearning experiences that are imaginative, creative, stimulating and challengingWide range of learning approachesIndependent learningHands-on learningActive Involved Learner

17. Quotes “This is an excellent aid to improving efficiency with regard to the teaching and learning process in the college as not only can the time saved in marking be diverted into planning and upgrading teaching materials but the students and lecturers have instant feedback with the addition of very informative reports”. Paul McMahon – Curriculum Manager

18. Quotes “The majority of the group clearly enjoyed undertaking their assessments using the material as it provided instant feedback. The e-Assessment material has been fully validated by SQA for use and at present can be used to undertake the multiple choice assessments. Now that we have a dedicated assessment centre it will be easier to arrange time/dates to allow students to undertake the assessments”. Jamie Culpan – Joinery Lecturer

19. Student FeedbackStudent Feedback (NC Childcare Group B, 12/3/10) Overall the students were very enthusiastic about the assessment and whole processFound that the questions were worded better than the paper assessments – easier to understandA much fairer process for people with dyslexiaMakes assessment equal for everyone as does not depend on your written skills but knowledge of the subjectOverall found it much better than paper assessments as you are focussed on the knowledge of the subject rather than how to write your answersYou need to know more of the unit for this type of assessment as no idea of questions that will come up (therefore for staff it removes any teaching to the test!)Students overall got very good results and completed the assessment in less than the allocated time E-Learning Centre: Staff were very helpfulWell organisedTechnology all worked – no problemsVery easy system to use, they feel even if you had poor IT skills you could do thisProcess was well explained by staff in e-assessment centre and they were there to help with any problemsSystem tells you the time used etc

20. Any Questions?