The role of assessment in learning is crucial. It can:

• Motivate students
• Be used to diagnose strengths and weaknesses
• Provide feedback to students and staff
• Help to consolidate work done
• Establish a level of achievement at the end of a module.

Unfortunately the setting and marking of assignments is a very time-consuming task which places a heavy burden on academic staff who have seen student-staff ratio increase markedly over the last few years.  Students do need regular guidance about their performance and CAA, if properly used, can achieve this without increasing the demands on staff.  CAA can provide individually tailored feedback to students’ responses to questions feedback is instant, and can direct students to relevant sections of a book or tutors notes.

CAA is particularly useful where:

• There is a heterogeneous student population, CAA allows students to learn at their own pace.
• Independent learning is desirable.  Students can test themselves to see if they have achieved their goals.

The CAA group was established in October 2000.  It has University-wide representation and its aims are to establish the infrastructure to allow widespread access to CAA by staff and students, and to promote sound pedagogical practice and to provide a forum where staff can share ideas and creative practice in assessment.

The CAA group is resourced by the University’s Educational Development Unit (EDU).

Or any member of the CAA group

Designed by Michael Rowland, year 3 B.Sc. Interactive Multimedia Design

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