Designing Assignments
Designing Assignments
The design of an assignment encompasses the choice of task, the way a task is communicated, the criteria used and how dialogue and feedback is planned. Effective assignment design can have a significant impact on the quality of the learning which takes place on a module.
UKPSF - Resources in this section relate to Area 3: assess and give feedback to learners.
The student perspective
On trying to understand the purpose of an assignment: "Different lecturers ask for different styles of writing. Some might ask for your opinion to be in it. Others are more focused on the academic nature. You have got to apply yourself to different lecturers and what they want from you. "
On switching between assignment types: “I have to write research reports which are supposed to be professional and quite long. Then I have to write blogs as well, which are supposed to be short and relaxed. It took me such a long time to actually learn how to write professionally and how to write the research papers in a professional manner, and now I’m supposed to write them short and relaxed. How am I supposed to switch between the two? It’s really difficult. “
Explore Educational Research
The terms below link to Solent library catalogue searches; a starting point for exploring assessment and feedback in a higher education context.
Explore a topic: Constructive alignment, Affective domain, Assessment for learning, Effective feedback
Browse a Journal: Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education
Designing Assignments Checklist
Review this checklist to evaluate how you design and implement assignments. On the following tabs you will find questions, Solent examples and activities to explore these areas in more depth.
Academic Handbook
Consult the academic handbook for policies around developing and implementing assignments. Relevant sections include:
- 2O - Assessment Principles and Regulations (first document in list)
- 2B - Academic Framework (first document in list)
- 4O - Assessment Practice (first document in list)
For further documents relating to assessment, consult the full academic handbook.
Support
The student registry team handle documentation and policy regarding assessment. For queries contact student.registry@solent.ac.uk.
Other useful links
- Emergent Themes from External Examiners Annual Reports 2015-16
- Emergent Themes: previous years (in results list)
- Generic grading criteria for different levels (in results list)
