This document summarizes a project that developed an online supported assessment environment using a wiki platform to improve completion rates for a Certificate IV in Frontline Management qualification. A team selected the Wetpaint wiki tool, adapted assessment materials, and piloted the online environment. The pilot saw a 90% successful completion rate. Benefits included increased learner motivation, coaching during assessment, and continual feedback. Issues around privacy, etiquette, and accessing the site were addressed. The client was impressed by the collaborative nature and coaching opportunities. The assessment model involved preparation, startup induction and training, a 6-week assessment period with support and feedback, and a completion week with surveys and outcomes.

1. Byte Size Assistance

2. Design, development and implementation of a supported assessment environment . Funded by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework and the Australian Institute of Management - 2009

3. The problem..... ... How to improve completion rates

4. The qualification..... ... The Certificate IV in Frontline Management

5. The solution..... ... aWetpaint wiki

7. The Team

8. What Select tools Adapt materials Pilot Evalulate Report Where Online Face to face How Exploration Collaboration Teamwork Cooperation When Apr-Nov 2009

9. Technology selection criteria Simple Facilitation Discussions Collaboration Upload Download

10. Virtual Conference Room Inititialonline meeting space

11. Online space for meeting minutes

12. Social Network Considered for our learners

13. Learning Management System Considered for our learners

14. Wiki Considered for our learners

15. Wetpaint Wiki Our tool of choice!

16. Byte Size Chunks!

17. Support

18. The pilot Introducing Sue Nunn.....

19. The unexpected hiccups Firewalls – always test Delayed start – due to firewall Participant profiles – registering with nicknames More than one way to access the site - some participants missed the support pages

20. Facilitation issues Privacy Etiquette Time

21. The results Successful completion rate 90%

22. The benefits

23. “..............an excellent way to do assessment” “I might actually learn something about the net........” “What a shame our other assessments could not be accessed online” The learners

24. A strong relationship between assessors and learners increased the learners motivation to complete the assessment tasks “.......great return on investment for the Ambulance Service” The client was impressed by the collaborative nature of the environment. The client

25. The opportunity to provide coaching as part of the assessment process Maintaining contact with the students throughout the assessment process Continually offering feedback to students on the development of their portfolio The assessor

26. Framework project expert Ann Morris has been involved in several Framework projects and is currently working with AIM in the Curriculum Development department. “What impressed me most in this project was the commitment of those involved to choose online applications and support that met the needs of the participant group. Often projects become so caught up in the wonder of flexible options available that they lose sight of participants needs and the actual outcome being sought. Managing the collection of evidence in an online environment was challenging but the project team were innovative in actually defining evidence and working within the restriction of having to maintain consistency between paper based and online assessment for the client groups”.

27. The Byte Size Assistance Online Supported Assessment Model The RTO

28. Client sign off Client: • completes customisation request AIM: •issues quote Client: • signs off

29. Preparation(Time and costs vary)* Client: • completes templates on page design and inclusions AIM: • custom designs wiki pages, including introduction, links, graphics • loads assessor profile AIM/Client: • customises assessment to suit collaborative environment * depends on customisation required

30. Start-up(1 week) AIM: • sends out initial survey to participants • loads participants’ names into wiki • conducts induction training for participants (face-to-face or online) • sends info packs to participants Participants: • set up own profiles • complete induction activity

31. Assessment(6 weeks) Participants: • post assessment responses onto the wiki and upload evidence AIM Assessor: • monitors, motivates and provides immediate feedback • resolves issues offline when more appropriate • tracks progress and reports to client and AIM as required • follows up those falling behind

32. Completion(1 week) AIM: • sends out post survey to participants and compares and collates results AIM assessor: • places group feedback and farewell message to participants on wiki • advises individual participants of their final outcomes offline • updates AIM records with outcomes • retains info from wiki in permanent storage