Assessment and feedback in modern languages (Leeds, 27 June 07)

Date: 27 June, 2007
Location: Leeds University Business School
Event type: Workshop

Location map | Programme | Event report

workshop attendees

Short description: In this workshop, Professor Paul Cooke (Professor of German Cultural Studies and Pro Dean L&T, Faculty of Arts, University of Leeds) will present the results of a major research project which was carried out at the University of Leeds in 2006: 'Fair, prompt and detailed' - matching staff and student expectations on assessment and feedback in light of the National Student Survey. Participants will increase their knowledge of the issues that surround Assessment and Feedback and will be presented with case studies of good practice in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Leeds which the project highlighted. Participants will take away materials that can be used to enhance their own practices in Language disciplines and will also have the opportunity to develop their own ideas for case studies during the session. The workshop will establish a network of professionals working in this key area. An external guest speaker (still to be confirmed) will respond to the findings of the project.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided at this event.

This event is organised under the Subject Centre's Workshops to go scheme.

You may also be interested in our alternative workshop on 8 May 2007 in London.

Workshop fee

Please note there is no charge for this event but we reserve the right to charge a £20.00 non-attendance fee.

Provisional programme for 27 June 2007
Time Session
10.00 - 10.30 Registration, Coffee & Tea
10.30 - 12.30 Welcome from Professor Paul Cooke and presentation of project plus discussion
Case studies presented from SMLC staff plus discussion

Dr. Honor Aldred
Ms. Louise Mauborgne
Dr. Paul Rowe
Ms. Ingrid Sharp
Dr. Matthew Treherne
12.30 - 13.30 Lunch
13.30 - 14.15 Guest Speaker: Professor Phil Race, Assessment, Learning and Teaching Visiting Professor, Leeds Metropolitan University
14.15 - 15.15 Generation of ideas and case studies in small groups, facilitated by Professor Russell Goulbourne.
15.15 - 15.30 Close

Event Report

In May and June 2007, the University of Leeds ran two staff development workshops on Assessment & Feedback in Modern Languages, as part of the HEA LLAS Subject Centre’s ‘Workshop to Go’ scheme. One Workshop took place on Tuesday 8th May 2007 at CiLT in London, and the other on Wednesday 27th June at the University of Leeds.

The sessions had the following aims:

  1. To disseminate the results of the University of Leeds project : ‘Fair, prompt and detailed’ – matching staff and student expectations on assessment and feedback in light of the National Student Survey which Professor Paul Cooke (Professor of German Cultural Studies and Pro Dean L&T, Faculty of Arts, University of Leeds) had carried out in 2006.
  2. To share the good practice from the University of Leeds that the above project had highlighted, in the form of Case Studies from academic staff from across the School of Modern Languages.
  3. To hear from an invited guest speaker who is an expert in the field of Assessment & Feedback (Prof. Brenda Smith and Prof. Phil Race)
  4. To create a network of professionals who are working in this key area of Learning & Teaching.

Both workshops were successful at achieving these aims, with around 30 participants attending each session. Lively, stimulating and different discussions took place at each workshop. The feedback from participants on the day and in subsequent written forms was overwhelmingly positive; many said that they would be taking practical examples back to use in their own teaching practices. Comments from the feedback included:

‘Very relevant, good overall.’
‘Peer feedback and self reflection would be used further in my own work’
‘Portfolio idea will be shared with colleagues, plus the marking codes.’
‘Ideas such as the Independent Study Component were innovative.’
‘Good work on topics of utmost importance to us to always improve what we do.’