Advantages
In addition to the learning outcomes noted above these modes of assessment I felt both modes of assessment gave a sense of control and ownership to students over their learning. At a time when other aspects of control had been subsumed by Covid 19 restrictions, both items allowed our discussions/debate/differences/agreements to turn to issues they saw as interesting and/or important.
Both the thematic
video
& discussion board allowed students to personally reflect and to draw on their own or their family's experiences of life in some of these nations, or on matters known from other University courses such as history, languages etc. Some of the class were nationals from countries in the region, others had been exchange students either at school or University; essentially students brought to the fore their own personal expertise and insights which were shared. Learning from each other brings authenticity.
The tasks were enjoyable for students. Students appreciated that after 3 or 4 years of assignments and exams they had the opportunity to tackle a new
creative
and technological based item of assessment.
Challenges
With the
video
, technological challenges arose at times with screen sharing the video from some of the students' computers.
With the discussion board, some students found the word limit restricting and requested it be increased to 500 or 600 words. I did increase it from 200 to 250 words, but explained to them that keeping posts succinct and focused was an important part of the tasks.
How it supports academic integrity
In the Zoom classes all students are identified when entering & leaving. Similarly with the the Blackboard Discussion Board