Assessment

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This web area contains general information and should be used only as a guide. For specific infomation and procedures relating to assessment please refer to your student handbook and the information contained in the Introductory Guide in the Study Guides of each School of Law unit.

Message from the Assistant Dean, Teaching & Learning

At the time you commence a unit you should ensure that you are familiar with and understand the assessment strategy for that unit. Information about the assessment in a given unit is variously set out in the Unit Outline, the Introductory Guide (in each Study Guide for each unit) and on the on-line site for each unit. It is a critical matter that you ensure that you understand completely:-

• the overall picture of the assessment requirements;
• how the details of the particular item of assessment will be made available to you;
• the percentage weighting of each particular assessment item (eg, is this worth 10%, 20%, 5% of the total assessment for this unit for the semester?);
• the criteria against which each item of assessment is to be marked;
• the due time and date for assessment items;
• where and how the completed assessment is to be submitted (this is particularly so for external students);
• the procedure to obtain an extension for a particular item (eg, before the due date and not from the unit co-ordinator, but from the School Student Administration staff);
• any other procedural or substantive aspects of assessment items.

In all units the assessment strategy may serve several functions. In the first instance the assessment is designed to achieve the learning objectives of the unit. The links between the assessment and the learning objectives of the unit will be clearly stated in the unit outline and/or in the Introductory Guide (in your Study Guide) for the unit. In addition to achieving the learning objectives for the unit, the assessment will also be aimed at assisting you to undertake prescribed tasks such as:

• research,
• reporting upon practical situations,
• demonstrating certain skills,
• analysing a problem;
• presenting or advocating an intellectually sound argument.

You should also use the assessment as a method of obtaining regular feedback on your progress through the unit and as an opportunity for you to improve upon your performance in the area of knowledge or skills acquisition. It will greatly assist your studies to take note of any identified weaknesses, errors and misunderstandings and reflect upon how your performance may be improved for the future. The feedback provided by academic staff is, to a large extent, of little value to you if you do not reflect upon it for this specific purpose of improving your performance.

The assessment in each unit will be used by the lecturer to measure your performance in relation to other students. To ensure fairness and equity across all students the criteria for assessment and the relative weighting will usually be set out in your Study Guide. It is important that you attempt to comply with and address the criteria as set out by your lecturer at all times in order to maximise your performance in assessment items.

Each unit will usually contain a variety of assessment. In accordance with the university's flexible delivery policy and in recognition of student workloads, the mix of assessment in some units may be at your discretion. You should be careful in making your choice of assessment. If required, always ensure that you have notified the unit co-ordinator of your choice within the time limit prescribed. Failure to notify may either mean that a choice is made for you or that you will fail that particular item of workload across the year. Choosing to do only exams or only assignments, while you may be good at them, only puts pressure on you and may in turn affect your performance. In addition you will not have the opportunity to develop the range of skills that you will need to succeed in the workplace.

Melinda Shirley
Assistant Dean, Teaching & Learning