Course Title

A course leading to a Certificate in [Faculty of focus]

Assessment Directive

Definition

Assessment can be described as:

The evaluation of learners’ performances and achievement of specified learning objectives through a variety of measures and methods.

Differently put, assessment is about measuring the results of learning so that judgements can be made about a learner’s competence.

Assessment Reading

The section on assessment in the Academic Guide contains important information concerning assessment in general. It is strongly advised that you read this section before continuing.

Self-Assessment

Self-assessment is an important component of learning and is formative and developmental in nature.

Instructions

• Find the answers to the questions included in boxes (self-check questions) of each chapter and record them in your workfile and verify the answers by referring to answers near the test(up-side down) or at the back of the textbook
• Find the solutions to any review questions or questions for analysis at the end of each chapter or which the tutor has provided, record them in your workfile and verify the answers you gave (during groupdiscussions) by referring to the answers provided for this purpose

Marking

Your academic tutor continuously assesses the work done in your workfile and a final mark for self-assessment activities is awarded at the end of this course.

Assessment Activities

Tests

The purpose of a test is to assess the retention of information, understanding, insight, or ability to reason, developed by you as a result of understanding a particular portion of the course.

Instructions

Refer to the assessment schedule and take the tests as scheduled.

Marking

In order to maintain a set standard of assessment, all tests are prepared centrally by the Faculty.

The following rules apply in the marking of tests:

• The assessment software programme automatically marks the scheduled tests
• A test can only be taken once after which the programme locks access to the test
• Tests which were failed may be repeated once only, with the special permission of the course professor
• Tests represent 60% of the final grade

Criteria

The following assessment instruments are used in this course:

• Multiple choice questions
• True-false questions

Tests are compiled by the website database on a random basis for each individual student. No two tests are alike. Tests are downloaded by the student one test at a time for each course for which the student is enrolled. Tests for more than one course may be downloaded at the same time. The test is then written in the students privacy at an appropriate time. Once the student is ready, the test is opened and will stay open only for a specified time. When the student has completed the test or when the time is up, the test us up-loaded to the web and instantly marked. The marks are displayed and stored against the student's name.

Guidelines

Follow the guidelines presented to you in the Study Skills course. Refer to the following chapters of the prescribed textbook (Payne, E. & Whittker, L. Developing essential study skills):

• Part II: Assessment skills
• Chapter 12: Examinations

Although the above chapters have a direct bearing on tests, these chapters must be studied in context of the rest of the chapters.

Assignments

The purpose of an assignment is to teach you the art of academic writing and to integrate multiple academic and practical skills. An assignment may be an article, report, or essay through which you demonstrate the ability to integrate academic knowledge.

Instructions

Refer to the assessment schedule and submit the assignments as scheduled.

Assignment 1

Write an essay of between 1500 and 2000 words. Select one of the following two topics the tutor will provide:

• Topic 1. Consider the following aspects:
  • Aspect A
  • Aspect B
  
  
• Topic 2. Consider the following aspects:
  • Aspect A
  • Aspect B

Assignment 1

Write an essay of between 1500 and 2000 words. Select one of the following two topics the tutor will provide:

• Topic 1. Consider the following aspects:
  • Aspect A
  • Aspect B
  
  
• Topic 2. Consider the following aspects:
  • Aspect A
  • Aspect B

Assignment 1

Write an essay of between 1500 and 2000 words. Select one of the following two topics the tutor will provide:

• Topic 1. Consider the following aspects:
  • Aspect A
  • Aspect B
  
  
• Topic 2. Consider the following aspects:
  • Aspect A
  • Aspect B

Marking

The following rules apply in the marking of assignments:

• The academic tutor assesses the prescribed assignments
• Marking takes place by means of the assessment software programme
• Assignments represent 15% of the final grade

Criteria

Kindly refer to the criteria presented in the Academic Guide.

Guidelines

The assessment criteria for assignments in the Academic Guide offer excellent guidelines.

Follow the guidelines presented to you in the Study Skills course. Refer to the following chapters of the prescribed textbook (Payne, E. & Whittker, L. Developing essential study skills):

• Part II: Assessment skills
• Chapter 4: Finding information
• Chapter 8: Essay writing
• Chapter 9: Writing reports and dissertations
• Chapter 12: Examinations

Although the above chapters have a direct bearing on assignments, these chapters must be studied in context of the rest of the chapters.

Sources of Reference

You may use the content of the prescribed textbook to give structure to your assignments. However, your research should include other sources of reference.

Your assignments must be original (in your own words). Ensure that your research is sufficiently different from the content of the textbook or any other sources of reference, and do not be tempted to plagiarise.

Please refer to the guidelines for assignments.

Tasks

The purpose of tasks as a learning activity is to integrate multiple academic and practical skills by teaching you the arts of oral communication and practical academic work.

Instructions

Refer to the assessment schedule and carry out the tasks as scheduled.

Task 1

Give a full presentation (talk) of not more than 30 minutes on one of the following topics:

• Topic 1
• Topic 2
• Topic 3
• Topic 4
• Topic 5

Task 2

Complete a practical task related to the course which leaves tangible evidence such as a document, shedule, mechanism or usefull intrument of some kind with instructional documentation as needed or a short report as to the results and problems encountered or its usefullness. In an acompanying document include aspects such as:

• Purpose
• Problems
• Instructions
• Solutions
• Warnings
• Conclusions
• Responses
• Desisions
• Effects

Restriction

You may not select a topic for a task of which the content is included in any of the assignments that you have selected.

Marking

The following rules apply in the marking of tasks:

• The academic tutor assesses the prescribed tasks
• Marking takes place by means of the assessment software programme on the CU website
• Tasks represent 10% of the final grade

Criteria

Kindly refer to the criteria presented in the Academic Guide xxxx.

Guidelines

The assessment criteria for tasks in the Academic Guide offer excellent guidelines.

Follow the guidelines presented to you in the Study Skills course. Refer to the following chapters of the prescribed textbook (Payne, E. & Whittker, L. Developing essential study skills):

• Part II: Assessment skills
• Chapter 4: Finding information
• Chapter 11: Presentations
• Chapter 12: Examinations

Although the above chapters have a direct bearing on tasks, these chapters must be studied in context of the rest of the chapters.

Sources of Reference

You may use the content of the prescribed textbook to give structure to your tasks. However, your research should include other sources of reference.

Please refer to the guidelines for tasks.

Group Work

Group work assesses your abilities and skills to work effectively with others as a member of a team or group and to integrate all main aspects of learning in a real environment.

Instructions

As a group, carry out the following tasks:

• Carry out any "Critical Thinking" exercises of each chapter
• Select questions such as "Questions and Problems" of each chapter

Note that all group members must agree on the choice of group tasks.

Marking

The following rules apply in the marking of group work:

• The academic tutor facilitates the activities of the group
• All group activities are presented as a group to the academic tutor
• The tutor provides the solutions to the "Learning by Doing" section of each chapter
• The tutor continuously assesses all the work done by you as a member of the group.
• The tutor collectively assesses the effectiveness of the group
• Marking takes place by means of the assessment software programme
• Group work represents 10% of the final grade

Criteria

Kindly refer to the criteria presented in the Academic Guide.

Guidelines

Follow the guidelines presented to you in the Study Skills course. Refer to the following chapters of the prescribed textbook (Payne, E. & Whittker, L. Developing essential study skills):

• Part II: Assessment skills
• Chapter 3: Group working skills
• Chapter 10: Case studies
• Chapter 11: Presentations
• Chapter 12: Examinations

Although the above chapters have a direct bearing on group work, these chapters must be studied in context of the rest of the chapters.

The assessment of presentations also serves as an excellent guideline to present your work.

Workfile

The purpose of the workfile is to assess your work done in private or self-study.

Instructions

Keep a workfile of the following work done by you in private study:

• Your answers to the questions included in boxes (self-check questions) of each chapter
• Your own solutions to the review questions and questions for analysis at the end of each chapter
• Your preparation and participation in group activities
• Copies of your assignments
• Copies of your written work done in tasks
• Any other instructions by the academic tutor

Marking

Your academic tutor continuously assesses all the work placed in your workfile. The workfile represents 5% of the final grade.

Criteria

Kindly refer to the criteria presented in the Academic Guide.

Guidelines

Follow the guidelines presented to you in the Academic Guide.

Assessment Schedule

Below is the assessment schedule indicating the scheduling of assessment activities for your course. This will vary according to the number of credits and the number of chapters. Kindly note that the sequence of the assessment activities is important and must be completed as indicated. The following is an example for a course valued at 22 credits. Let us assume the textbook has 20 chapters.

ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE:

Weights

Below are the weights assigned to the assessment activities in all courses:

Tests Assignments Tasks Group work Workfile

60% of final grade 15% of final grade 10% of final grade 10% of final grade   5% of final grade

Assessment Hints

• Study Skills textbook. Follow the guidelines presented to you in the textbook of the Study Skills course (Payne, E. & Whittker, L. Developing essential study skills). Refer to the chapters indicated in the preceding sections.
• Instructional words used in test, assignments and tasks. It is important to take note of the instructional words and their definitions. In this regard, refer to the prescribed textbook for the Study Skills course. (Payne, E. & Whittker, L. Developing essential study skills) pages 205 and 206. You may also refer to the keywords and their definitions listed in the Academic Guide.

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