We’re changing how we assess your unit knowledge – here’s what you need to know
One of the major features of studying at uni has traditionally been exams. You’d do a bunch of work throughout the trimester, submit a few small assignments and would then be tested on your knowledge in a final exam.
But in this highly digitised world, we think it’s time to evolve and keep pace with technological and social changes. While conventional exams are still sometimes the most appropriate way to assess your knowledge, in many units you’ll be able to use real-world methods to demonstrate your learning.
Some undergraduate and postgraduate students (excluding HDR students) will do this through timed end-of-unit assessments (EoUA), which reflect the actual challenges, standards and habits needed for success in the workplace. This change will begin from Trimester/Semester 1.
How it will work
The EoUA period (formerly known as the Exam period) will be held in the final weeks of each trimester or semester. For each unit you study that includes this type of assessment, you’ll undertake either:
- an unsupervised summative EoUA aligned to your unit and course learning outcomes (summative assessment helps us to evaluate your learning at the end of a unit by comparing it to a benchmark)
- a supervised exam.
The EoUA timetable, which is released six weeks ahead of the EoUA period, will outline when these assessments will take place.
Remember that you must follow our academic integrity policy in all EoUA activities, as well as when sitting any exams.
Types of EoUA
An EoUA will ask you to apply your knowledge in an authentic and inclusive task. A timed assessment will assess capabilities that you would be expected to perform in the workplace. There are several different types of EoUA.
| Type of EoUA | How it works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Written | You’re asked to use text to communicate your knowledge, skill or understanding of a topic. It is completed online. At a set release time, you’ll be given the assessment instructions and will complete the assessment by a set deadline. | Newspaper article, report for a community advocacy group, project plan, design brief, case study analysis |
| Oral | You’re asked to use the spoken word to communicate your knowledge, skill or understanding of a topic. It is completed at a campus or other site, or online. At a set release time, you’ll be given the assessment instructions and will present or provide your oral response by a set deadline. | A response to questions about your work, a group presentation, a reflection in response to a skill/question/experience, participating in a debate or discussion forum, a speech given to a community advocacy group |
| Performance | You’re asked to present, perform or interact with an assessor(s) live in real-time (synchronously) or recorded. It is completed at a campus or other site, or online. Assessors can be external to Deakin; for example, an industry expert | Completing an interview, undertaking a conversation or defence (viva voce) of your work with an assessor, participating in a group presentation, performing a creative work, musical performance |
| Practical | You’re asked to perform a task or produce a product live in real-time (synchronously) or recorded. It is completed at a campus or other site, or online. Assessors can be external to Deakin; for example, an industry expert. | Completing a simulated task, demonstrating performing a procedure, demonstrating a skill on placement, completing a laboratory practical |
Types of exam
Supervised online exams are used for particular course requirements, including accreditation by external bodies. You sit the exam using your own computer while being supervised via webcam. You and your screen are automatically recorded throughout the exam by a system called Proctorio. Depending on the exam, you may be able to use some permitted resources.
There’s plenty of time to adjust!
We know it probably feels very early to be thinking about final assessments – T1/S1 has barely even started! But we wanted to give you the heads-up now so there’s no surprises later. Your unit guides will have more detail, your Unit Chair will talk you through everything at the appropriate times and we’ll provide more info throughout T1/S1.
We’re confident that you’ll benefit from this new approach – not only will it better prepare you for the workforce and your future career, we think it will also be a much more enjoyable and meaningful experience.
Happy studying!