Mobile assessment evaluation research project

****The call is now closed - this page is for reference as an indication of current work we are undertaking in this field.****
Details of funded projects will be posted on the web site when they become available.

Projects are invited to evaluate the feasibility and impact on the student learning experience of delivering formative assessment via student-owned mobile phones. Such formative assessments can be made available in conjunction with other mobile course materials including workbooks, lecture notes and podcasts, thus enabling students without ready internet access off campus to take formative assessments and obtain feedback immediately following a period of study.

We do not wish to fund the development of independent services, but to evaluate existing potential pedagogically, in preparation for further advances in mobile technologies. We have identified two commercial solutions which we invite you to pilot and evaluate via a directed call for 4 mini-projects. Alternative commercial or collaborative solutions (e.g. TOIA) may be considered.

Mobile assessment via a mobile web browser. Mini-projects are invited to utilise QuestionMark Perception appropriate templates to deliver a range of question types. Funding will be available to cover online network charges for mobile phone browsing in addition to QuestionMark Perception licences where partners do not have a service available within their institution. The Centre can offer hosting of assessment if necessary.

Mobile assessment via SMS text messaging. SMS Quiz services from Tribal CTAD are web-authored solutions which use simple text messages in a two-way dialogue. Students return a single SMS response to multiple questions which are analysed for the academic into a report. Students also receive near instant (personalised) feedback by return SMS message. No programming development is necessary. This solution is complementary to the web browser proposal and ideal where the student has only basic services on the mobile phone, or has intermittent connectivity.

Funding of up to £5000 is available.

Selection of successful projects (Mobile Assessment)

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. the applicability, currency and transferability of the development across the biosciences, and how you will work with project partners and/or critical friends to maximise transferability
2. extent to which resources/activities will enhance the services provided by the Centre for Bioscience
3. clearly deliverable project plan including proposed start and end dates and milestones
4. how the impact of the project on student learning will be assessed
5. value for money of proposed budget

Mini-projects are expected to run within the academic year 2007-2008 and must be completed by August 2008.

Mini-project leaders will be invited to meet at the start and end of projects to share project plans and findings/lessons learned and contribute to the final report/article.

Dissemination of good teaching practice is at the core of the Centre's functions and so we expect projects to have wide applicability. Due to their greater dissemination potential a group of small 'stand alone' resources will generally be preferred over a single large resource.

We encourage applications where a project might work across a degree programme or multiple departments; proposed studies need not be restricted to consideration of a single module/course.

This funding is provided under the JISC/Higher Education Academy Distributed e-Learning programme.