Investigating the relationship between quality,format and delivery of feedback for written assignments in higher education

Feedback can have a great impact on student learning. However, in order for it to be effective, feedback needs to be of high quality. Electronic marking has been one of the latest adaptations of technology in teaching and offers a new format of delivering feedback. There is little research investigating the impact the format of feedback has on quality of feedback and subsequently on student learning. This study sets out to investigate the impact paper-based and electronic methods of assignment submission and return have on students’ and markers’ perceived quality of feedback. Students and markers on an undergraduate course were asked to complete an anonymous online survey investigating their perceptions of quality, format and timeliness of feedback delivered electronically and on paper. The results showed that marking and providing feedback electronically was an acceptable method for markers, reporting improved speed and consistency of marking. There was no increase or decrease in satisfaction with the feedback received. Overall, electronic marking was found to be an acceptable method of delivery of feedback on written assignments by both students and markers. The findings of this study suggest that electronic marking can result in more timely feedback for students without impacting on quality.     

Self-regulation of peer feedback quality aspects through different dimensions of experience within prior peer feedback assignments

Although peer review is a widely-used pedagogical technique, its value depends upon the quality of the reviews that students produce, and much research remains to be done to systematically study the nature, causes, and consequences of variation in peer review quality. We propose a new framework that conceptualizes five larger dimensions of peer review quality and then present a study that investigated three specific peer review quality constructs in a large dataset and further explored how these constructs change through different types of self-regulation peer reviewing experiences. Peer review data across multiple assignments were analyzed from 2,092 undergraduate students enrolled in one of three offerings of a biology course at a large public research university in the United States. Peer review quality was measured in terms of comment amount, comment accuracy, and rating accuracy; the measures of reviewing experience focused upon self-regulated learning factors such as practice, feedback, others’ modeling, and relative performance. Meta-correlation (for testing reliability, separability, and stability) and meta-regression (as a time-series analysis for testing the relationship of changes across assignments in reviewing quality with experiences as reviewer and reviewee) are used to establish the robustness of effects and meaningful variation of effects across course offerings and assignments. Results showed that there were three meaningful review quality constructs (i.e., were measured reliably, separable, and semi-stable over time). Further, all three showed changes in response to previous reviewer and reviewee experiences, but only feedback helpfulness, in particular, showed effects of all four examined types of self-regluation experiences (practice, feedback, others’ modeling, and relative performance). The findings suggest that instructors can improve review quality by providing comment prompt scaffolds that lead to longer comments as well as by matching authors with similarly performing reviewers.     

Investigating non-engagement with feedback in higher education as a social practice

Quality in feedback processes rests on students’ engagement with them. A crucial question is therefore why students do not always engage. Scholars have defined engagement as a social practice, pointing to the influence of context but without explaining its nature. The purpose of this article is to argue that existing approaches without a theory of the social cannot fully explain non-engagement and that a practice theoretical approach may fill this gap. It introduces Stephen Kemmis' practice ontology and demonstrates how a feedback practice can be analysed to explain a weak engagement. The article’s contribution to research in engagement with feedback is a new ontology of practice and its methodological apparatus.     

Investigating expectations and experiences of audio and written assignment feedback in first-year undergraduate students

Previous research suggests that audio feedback may be an important mechanism for facilitating effective and timely assignment feedback. The present study examined expectations and experiences of audio and written feedback provided through turnitin for iPad^® from students within the same cohort and assignment. The results showed that although initially sceptical of audio compared to written feedback, there were no significant differences in students' experiences of audio and written feedback. Students' performance on the assignment was not associated with their experiences of audio feedback but first-class performing students (?>?70%) had more positive experiences of written feedback than those who received an upper second-class grade (60–69%). In general, the results imply that audio feedback provided through turnitin for iPad^® is a viable alternative to written feedback. The findings are discussed in relation to past research findings.     

ActiveX控件在Web应用程序中的应用

在Web应用程序中存取数据库，无论从界面上还是从速度上远比不上VB或C＋＋对数据库的存取。本文探讨利用VB5．0开发ActiveX控件，完成对ODBC数据源的读写，实现了在Web页面上也能像普通程序那样直接修改服务器数据库中的数据，使得Web页面上的数据修改变得直观简便。     

基于Web2.0的自主学习平台研究与设计

文章从分析网络自主学习行为入手,探讨Web2.0时代网络自主学习平台的功能特征,并提出基于Web2.0技术的网络自主学习平台总体功能模型和符合W3C标准向下兼容的三层次技术架构,为自主学习平台的设计和开发提供一定的参考。     

自动抓取元数据标签中DC元数据的模块设计

由于DC元数据描述网络资源的优越性,基于DC元数据的搜索引擎系统能够克服传统搜索引擎无法理解网页描述语义、检索效率低的缺点。设计该系统最首要的模块就是自动搜集模块,如何自动搜集含DC元数据的网页,如何自动提取其中的DC元数据信息,并加以分析和处理,文章详细介绍了该模块的设计思路和具体的实现方法,并给出部分设计源代码。     

Investigating university tutor perceptions of assessment feedback: three types of tutor beliefs

Feedback is a key element in effective teaching and learning. The issue of how teachers perceive the role of feedback will impact significantly their feedback approaches, the amount of the detail of their feedback and the time and effort expended on the feedback provision. This research was designed with the purpose of exploring how a group of over 50 tutors who were supporting an online university English course perceived, understood and interpreted the processes of assignment feedback. A factor analysis study based on questionnaire data revealed three sets of tutor beliefs towards assessment and tutor feedback: traditional–autonomous–global (TAG), student‐centred (SC) and traditional‐local (TL). Follow‐up in‐depth interviews were conducted with tutors. The TAG tutors saw scores as the most important feedback to students, but doubted the value of detailed feedback. SC tutors maintained that good tutor feedback should offer more than mere scores, and that students needed feedback in order to improve. TL tutors tended to underline all the errors and provide detailed feedback. They were negative towards the idea of their feedback being monitored. The authors identified some differing and converging tutor perceptions on assessment feedback, the understanding of which could arguably play an important role in introducing changes in tutor feedback culture.     

行动导向教学模式的《Web应用程序设计》课程改革

探讨在应用型本科IT类专业《Web应用程序设计》课程教学中引入行动导向教学模式的可行性,阐明了基于行动导向教学模式的课程改革基本思路,并对课程内容体系、教学方式方法和学习评价三方面进行深入探讨,提出了具体的、较为系统的改革方案。     

透视高校Library2．0信息服务体系

介绍了Library2．0的概念和内涵,通过对Library2．0信息服务常用的技术要素信息聚合、博客、维基、标签和即时通讯的分析,诠释了高校Library2．0信息服务体系的实质,提出了高校Library2．0馆员职位在技术、个人素质等方面的更高要求。     

关于暖通空调CAD编程改进构想

指出了暖通空调CAD应用软件普遍存在的一些问题,并结合实际的设计和编程经验,提出了一些切实可行的方法和思路。     

What makes for effective feedback: staff and student perspectives

Since the early 2010s the literature has shifted to view feedback as a process that students do where they make sense of information about work they have done, and use it to improve the quality of their subsequent work. In this view, effective feedback needs to demonstrate effects. However, it is unclear if educators and students share this understanding of feedback. This paper reports a qualitative investigation of what educators and students think the purpose of feedback is, and what they think makes feedback effective. We administered a survey on feedback that was completed by 406 staff and 4514 students from two Australian universities. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted on data from a sample of 323 staff with assessment responsibilities and 400 students. Staff and students largely thought the purpose of feedback was improvement. With respect to what makes feedback effective, staff mostly discussed feedback design matters like timing, modalities and connected tasks. In contrast, students mostly wrote that high-quality feedback comments make feedback effective – especially comments that are usable, detailed, considerate of affect and personalised to the student’s own work. This study may assist researchers, educators and academic developers in refocusing their efforts in improving feedback.     

e-Learning 2.0的基础理论探究

随着e-Learning 2.0应用的不断扩展和深入,其理论缺失的弊端已日益突出。在大量实践工作的基础上,本文总结与提炼了四个e-Learning 2.0的基础理论:学习控制理论、灵活学习内容理论、社会学习理论和泛在学习理论,阐述了每个理论的主要观点,剖析了其组成要素。     

Developing a framework for effective audio feedback: a case study

The increase in the use of technology-enhanced learning in higher education has included a growing interest in new approaches to enhance the quality of feedback given to students. Audio feedback is one method that has become more popular, yet evaluating its role in feedback delivery is still an emerging area for research. This paper is based on a small-scale study which examined the perceptions of first and final-year undergraduates who received feedback from tutors in audio form and considers the impact of this method of feedback delivery as a formative process. The paper examines the extent to which students respond to and engage with audio feedback, and how the method might facilitate a better understanding of the role of feedback amongst teachers and students alike. The two cohorts in the study express differences, but also commonalities in what they require from audio feedback. A conceptual framework is developed from the study’s findings, which highlights best practice and guides practitioners in their effective utilisation of this form of feedback.     

Using automatic machine assessment to teach computer programming

We report on an intervention in which informal programming labs were switched to a weekly machine-evaluated test for a second year Data Structures and Algorithms module. Using the online HackerRank system, we investigated whether greater constructive alignment between course content and the exam would result in lower failure rates. After controlling for known associates, a hierarchical regression model revealed that HackerRank performance was the best predictor of exam performance, accounting for 18% of the variance in scores. Extent of practice and confidence in programming ability emerged as additional significant predictors. Although students expressed negativity towards the automated system, the overall failure rate was halved, and the number of students gaining first class honours tripled. We infer that automatic machine assessment better prepares students for situations where they have to write code by themselves by eliminating reliance on external sources of help and motivating the development of self-sufficiency.     

混合遗传算法及其应用

给出一种结合梯度法和正交遗传算法的混合算法。实验表明,它通过对问题的解空间交替进行全局和局部搜索,能更有效地求解函数优化问题。     

动态规划法解算多阶段决策问题研究

多阶段决策问题是程序设计领域的一类经典难题,采用传统的程序设计方法必然使得程序运行需要大量的时间和空间资源,而效率低下。应用动态规划法很好地解决了多阶段决策问题,并应用C＋＋STL技术,实现了该问题的程序设计,并大大提高了程序运行的时间和空间效率。     

Using Facebook for cross-cultural collaboration: the experience of students from Taiwan

Learning design research (LDR) is establishing itself as a separate and specialised field of educational research. Worldwide, technology-mediated learning experiences in higher and further education are on the increase. LDR investigates their success in providing effective outcomes-based and personalised learning experiences. This paper reports on a meta-ethnographic review study of a subsection of current LDR to document current conceptualisations, preferred methodologies and possible themes and struggles. The findings suggest that LDR often uses an ad hock approach to Learning Design conceptualisation. It is concluded that the current ontological and epistemological disparity presents a great hindrance to the advancement of LDR.     

Developing a learning-centred framework for feedback literacy

Abstract

There is an increasing focus on notions of feedback in which students are positioned as active players rather than recipients of information. These discussions have been either conceptual in character or have an empirical focus on designs to support learners in feedback processes. There has been little emphasis on learners’ perspectives on, and experiences of, the role they play in such processes and what they need in order to benefit from feedback. This study therefore seeks to identify the characteristics of feedback literacy – that is, how students understand and can utilise feedback for their own learning – by analysing students’ views of feedback processes drawing on a substantial data set derived from a study of feedback in two large universities. The analysis revealed seven groupings of learner feedback literacy, including understanding feedback purposes and roles, seeking information, making judgements about work quality, working with emotions, and processing and using information for the benefit of their future work (31 categories in total). By identifying these realised components of feedback literacy, in the form of illustrative examples, the emergent set of competencies can enable investigations of the development of feedback literacy and improve feedback designs in courses through alignment to these standards.