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Send to friendUse of a scoring matrix to provide detailed feedback on performance
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Assessment and feedback
Although written work by students is generally assessed on the basis of a series of criteria, students are normally provided only with an overall mark for each piece of work. This makes it harder for them to gauge what aspects of their work were strong or weak, and the degree to which these contributed to their overall mark. To reduce this problem, we provide students with a matrix that details scores awarded to different parts of the work. These scores correspond to the assessment criteria for assignment outlined in the assignment handout, and the format specified.
This matrix is helpful for several reasons. First, students can clearly see the connection between the assessment criteria spelled out in the assignment description, and their overall mark. Second, students are also able to benchmark their performance in different areas against the class mean. Third, by using the scoring matrix, we are able to calculate overall scores using a consistent formula, thus reducing variation across markers in how they assess this particular assignment. An example is provided below:
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Assessment criteria (70%)
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0 (50-65); 1 (65-69); 2 (70-74); 3 (75-79);
4 (80-84); 5 (85+) |
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Student number
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Understood issues
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Logical structure
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Succinct writing
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Library research
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Critical evaluation
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| 11111 |
3
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3
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3
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3
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2
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| 22222 |
3
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3
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4
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3
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2
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| 33333 |
5
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5
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5
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4
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5
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| Class mean |
3.3
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3.1
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2.6
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2.8
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2.7
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Essay format (30%)
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1 (poor); 2 (satisfactory); 3 (excellent)
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Student number
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Title and abstract
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Outined problem
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Statement of solution
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Described approach
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Placed study in context
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Final mark
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| 11111 |
2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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72
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| 22222 |
1
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1
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2
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2
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1
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69
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| 33333 |
2
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3
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3
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3
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3
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87
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| Class mean |
2.0
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1.9
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1.9
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2.1
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1.7
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70.9
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We have not yet formally evaluated the effectiveness of this initiative, but student comments indicate that they appreciate the additional detail provided by the matrix, and the opportunity to evaluate their performance against that of the other students in the class.
We intend to carry out an evaluation of this approach next year when the subject is offered again.
