My slides from my presentation at Mahara UK 2013. This was an opportunity for me to share our experiences at Solent. Over the last 3 years we have seen support requests from lecturers skyrocket! This meant that we had to rethink our strategy and come up with a new process to help our lecturers.

1. Designing Effective
Assessments with
Mahara
Samantha Moss: Learning Technologist,
Southampton Solent University
@samwisefox , http://bit.ly/sam_moss (my Mahara Portfolio)

2. Context
• This slide has been added to give those who didn’t
attend my Mahara UK 2013 session some context
• After years of trial and error, we have come up with a
process to help support our staff and students with
Mahara, putting the focus on the outcomes with
regards to learning rather than the tools and system
• It is hoped all staff will acknowledge our process and
understand why we have decided to work in this way

3. Solent’s Mahara History
• 2008 -2010: Research, testing & implementation
• 2012: Developed Mahara Mobile android app with
Catalyst UK (speak to @solentroger for more details)
• Used for assessment purposes for over 20 courses*
• 600 students each year use it – varied backgrounds*
* That we know of…

4. Don’t let the technological tail
wag the pedagogical dog…
Very important to
remember –
especially for
those of us who
work in eLearning

5. The ‘Solent’ approach
1
• Lecturer approaches Learning Technologies
2
• Identify outcomes & decide on tools
3
• Write assessment brief
4
• Student support put in place
5
• Student Submission
6
• Lecturer gives feedback

6. What are the processes?
Reflection
Organisation
Creation
Promotion
Compilation
Evaluation

7. What do you want your students to do?
•
•
•
•
•
Display research & findings
Create a personal development/career plan
Build a portfolio of self-made media
Produce a work experience diary
Compile an ‘about me’ website
• Combinations of the above?

8. Look to the tools…*
*Some are plugins

9. Look to the tools…*
Web Tools
Notes
Self analysis
CPD/Log Book
Blog/journal
File
storage
Plans/checklist
CV Builder
*Some are plugins

10. Assessment brief
• Clear advice on what students
have to do
• Checklist of content required
• Clear method of submission
• Does it fit with Solent
Regulations?

11. Student support
• Devise a plan for support:
– 1 workshop (lecturers decide
beginning, middle or end of unit)
– Drip-fed activities (weekly homework
tasks supported by video)
– Comprehensive help site available to all
– Example portfolio(s)
…All accessed via their Moodle page

12. Student submission
1. Secret URL in description
of 1st page
2. Export HTML > ‘just some
of my pages/collections’
3. Upload zip file to Moodle
assignment
4. Submit for marking
5. Leave live site ALONE!

13. Lecturer gives feedback
1. Hide assignment eye
2. Open & extract content from zip file
3. Mark content
4. Visit live site (does content match
zip file?)
5. Give grades & feedback via Moodle
6. Second marker reviews work and gives feedback
7. Eye is ‘opened’

14. Example Assessments

15. Examples of assessment
HND Built Environment

16. Examples of assessment
HND Built Environment
• 1st year Architectural Technology student (and self
proclaimed ‘ground pilot’)
• Portfolio of evidence to prepare for a career as an AT
following the CIAT’s professional framework
http://mahara.solent.ac.uk/view/view.php?t=LKZxqnwVB9M1PYzUiJeE
• 2nd year ‘I want one of those for myself…’
http://bit.ly/mjmcgrane

17. Examples of assessment
Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in HE
• Associate Lecturer in Event Management and Music
Production
“I found it very useful and would definitely like to talk to
you further about using it next year in my unit. The
students usually hand their portfolios in via turnitin but
this does look like a much better way of doing things
especially as they can up-load video's, pics, links etc etc.”
• http://mahara.solent.ac.uk/view/view.php?t=P8K2Spr4ageXjncfqxVl

18. Examples of assessment
Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in HE
• This was a great opportunity to get our lecturers to experience mahara!
• Associate Lecturer in Event Management and Music Production
http://mahara.solent.ac.uk/view/view.php?t=P8K2Spr4ageXjncfqxVl
“I found it very useful and would definitely like to talk to you
further about using it next year in my unit. The students
usually hand their portfolios in via Turnitin but this does look
like a much better way of doing things especially as they can
up-load videos, pics, links etc etc.”

19. Thank you!
• Tweet me:
@samwisefox
• Find me:
http://about.me/samwise
• My Mahara:
http://bit.ly/sam_moss
• Image references:
http://pinterest.com/samwisefox/maharauk-2013/