One of my elective law courses, Asian Legal Systems, presented a challenge. As well as enabling students understand how law and legal institutions in Asia operate in different and distinctive ways, the design of this comparative law course was to facilitate discussion and the sharing of perspectives thus maximising student input. Keeping these dynamics alive in Zoom classes led to several modifications in assessment.

In-class listening comprehension test, delivered via Blackboard Quiz or Inspera: students watch a short video in French and answer questions about it. Students use their own devices to watch the video and access the test, but are supervised (either in the classroom or via Zoom) by course staff. Internal students use headphones, external students turn their microphones off, but cameras on.

In this assessment item students are asked to do a brief presentation on a character or theme from a course text. They are then asked questions (that they have not seen prior to the assessment) about the text and other course material. Both the presentation and question answers must be given in French. The task is designed to assess their comprehension of the course material and their fluency and spontaneity in French.

Students complete their exam papers whilst being invigilated through Zoom focus mode which allows not only a view of the student and their immediate surrounds, but also allows for the student’s screen to be shared with staff.