(1) Charles Darwin University (‘the University’, ‘CDU’) is committed to providing effective and high-quality learning and teaching experiences in which staff, students and external stakeholders have justified confidence in the University’s Higher Education (HE) learning and teaching processes and outcomes. (2) The University is committed to producing innovative HE graduates who effectively meet the challenges of a complex, changing world. To do this, we will use academic assessment as a key mechanism to measure and assure students learning outcomes and achievements. (3) The university is committed to a flexible learning environment to support students from different cultures and values to achieve high standards of learning. (4) This policy and procedure outline the principles that underpin the University’s approach to the assessment of student learning, and the expectations and processes relating to assessment and feedback. (5) This policy and procedure applies to all students enrolled in HE coursework or ELICOS courses at the University. (6) This policy and procedure applies to units delivered from the start of the 2023 academic calendar. (7) The University is committed to ensuring that assessment practices maintain high academic standards and provide assurance of student learning outcomes. In doing so, CDU wants to engage students in learning that is rigorous, authentic, and relevant to workplace contexts and aligns with personal learning aspirations. (8) The University aims to foster assessment practices that promote student engagement and support student learning. To do this CDU will: (9) Staff and students are responsible partners in learning and assessment and have key roles to play in the achievement of learning outcomes. Academic staff are responsible for: (10) The University expects that students will be proactive in their learning, act honestly and complete assessment tasks in a responsible and conscientious manner. To meet the required standards for assessment, students have a responsibility to: (11) All students are required to complete assessment tasks as relevant for each unit in which they are enrolled. (12) Students will complete assessment tasks honestly and with integrity. Students must not cheat or plagiarise in any way. Refer to the Student Academic Integrity Policy for further information. (13) Assessment for a unit will include assessment tasks undertaken during the semester/study period of the related unit or as directed by the Higher Education Examination Policy. (14) All unit assessment requirements will be available to students at least five (5) working days prior to the first teaching day of each semester in the unit outline in Learnline. This includes, but is not limited to: (15) Marking criteria will be provided to students clearly outlining how performance in assessment will be measured. All assessments will have a marking schema or rubric. (16) Attendance may be required for the successful completion of a unit. This may be to meet standards for professional accreditation bodies, practice-based assessment tasks, and/or work-integrated learning. Where this is required: (17) Bachelor Honours courses and some coursework courses include a research project or thesis. (18) The unit coordinator will appoint a supervisor to supervise the research project or thesis. (19) Assessment and academic standards are monitored by the Higher Education Faculty Assessment Review Panels and across the University by the Learning and Teaching Committee, to ensure the quality and continuous improvement of assessment activities. (20) The (21) Assessment validation and moderation practices are undertaken to ensure: (22) Where there is more than one marker for an assessment item in a unit, all assessments that are worth more than 30% will undergo a moderation process. This will involve randomly selecting student submissions from three grade categories (from among F, P, C, D, HD). Any significant difference between the original mark and moderated mark will be discussed between the unit coordinator and the moderator. This process will ensure a between-marker comparison is conducted and provide the opportunity for adjustments to be made where appropriate. This activity should be reported to the Higher Education Faculty Assessment Review Panel. (23) Unless advised otherwise, students are expected to submit assessment tasks through Learnline by the time and date specified in the unit outline. All written assessments will be run through a CDU-authorised originality testing tool. (24) Students are expected to meet their responsibilities in upholding academic integrity as outlined in the Student Academic Integrity Policy. (25) Students will be encouraged to submit assessments on time to allow for marking and feedback to be provided in a timely manner. Where a student is unable to meet the deadline for submission, they should contact their lecturer to discuss their options or submit an application for extension. (26) Assessment tasks that are lodged after submissions have closed, will be penalised 5% of the total assessment mark available, for each calendar day late unless an extension or application for special consideration has been approved. (27) A student can request an extension to the (28) A request for extension can be made on the following grounds: (29) Submitting a request does not guarantee an extension will be granted and students should make all reasonable efforts to submit the assessment task by or as soon as possible after the due date, where practicable. (30) Students must complete the formal CDU extension request form online in Learnline and include the following information in their request: (31) Where a student has an Access Plan, it should be a supplied once each semester per unit to cover the student’s evidence requirements for the semester. (32) Students may be asked to provide further information to support their application. However, in the following circumstances, students will not be required to provide further information: (33) Students may be allowed one 72-hour extension once per unit per semester, without the need for supporting evidence. (34) Extensions without penalty may be approved for up to seven (7) calendar days for an assessment. (35) Students will receive an outcome in writing within three (3) working days of submission. Outcomes may include: (36) Where a student requests special consideration for a final exam, this will be assessed in accordance with the Higher Education Examination Policy. (37) The course coordinator will appoint at least one (1) examiner for coursework research projects and theses according to the requirements of the discipline. (38) Where the research project or thesis includes a production or performance component involving collaboration with others, the student's role/responsibility must be clearly specified for the purposes of examination. (39) A report of the results of the research project will be presented in the manner as prescribed by the relevant committee of the Faculty. (40) Students will be given timely, instructive, and constructive feedback about their performance on assessment tasks, including examinations, which will explain how they have performed against the relevant assessment criteria, and where their performance can be improved. (41) Where a student has concerns about how marks have been awarded or does not understand why they achieved their mark for their assessment task, they should contact their Unit Coordinator within five (5) working days of receiving the marked assessment for further feedback. (42) The University will report the assessment outcomes and course progress of under-18 ELICOS students to their parent or guardian at the end of each teaching period. (43) Requests for special consideration must be made in writing to the (44) Students will receive a written response within three (3) working days of their submission, including details of the basis of any decisions. (45) A student who undertakes an alternative assessment task will have their new mark applied, which may be lower than the first mark originally achieved. (46) A student may request a review of a marked assessment item from the (47) The following reasons will not be accepted as a reason to initiate a review of a marked assessment item: (48) The (49) Where an assessment re-mark is granted, the assessor will be given a de-identified copy of the student’s original assessment task submission and asked to mark the assessment with consideration to the unit outline and the relevant marking criteria. (50) The Course Coordinator will notify the student in writing within ten (10) working days whether the outcome of the re-mark resulted in: (51) Official final grades will be conveyed to students in accordance with the Grading Policy. (52) The following reasons will not be accepted as a reason to initiate a review of a final grade: (53) A student may request a review of a final grade within ten (10) working days of the grade release date by emailing reviews@cdu.edu.au. (54) Student Policy and Complaints will acknowledge receipt of the application within two (2) working days and assess the request. (55) The Student Policy and Complaints team will either: (56) The student will be notified in writing, by the Review Officer, of the outcome of their application within ten (10) working days of receipt and include the reasons for the decision and actions to be taken. (57) The outcome of such a review will be final. (58) In certain circumstances, the University may make a determination to review and adjust the final grades of all students or a group of students within a unit (i.e., either upwards or downwards), prior to grades release. (59) A decision to adjust grades may only be determined once the grades for all students in a unit are available, and will occur in circumstances that include: (60) Only those students who may be affected will be informed that the process is being undertaken and that original grades may be adjusted. (61) Where it appears that the criteria and standards have not been appropriately applied, the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching will conduct the investigation in consultation with the Unit Coordinator and Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor. The re-marking of assessment tasks or the adjustment of marks may be undertaken in these exceptional circumstances. (62) The Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor must report to the Learning and Teaching Committee and the Student Policy and Complaints team any such instances and include the background, rationale, method, and outcomes of the adjustment and actions implemented to avoid any similar problems in the future. (63) Assessment items not collected by students, other than completed examination papers, may be destroyed in accordance with the Records and Information Management Policy and Procedure. (64) A student who is not satisfied with the quality or delivery of the unit and its associated assessments, or believes they have experienced unfair treatment, can submit a complaint in accordance with the Complaints Policy - Students. (65) Non-compliance with Governance Documents is considered a breach of the Code of Conduct - Employees or the Code of Conduct - Students, as applicable, and is treated seriously by the University. Reports of concerns about non-compliance will be managed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary procedures outlined in the Charles Darwin University and Union Enterprise Agreement 2022 and the Code of Conduct - Students. (66) Complaints may be raised in accordance with the Complaints and Grievance Policy and Procedure - Employees and Complaints Policy - Students. (67) All staff members have an individual responsibility to raise any suspicion, allegation or report of fraud or corruption in accordance with the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Whistleblower Reporting (Improper Conduct) Procedure.Higher Education Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
Section 1 - Preamble
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Policy
Top of PageSection 5 - Procedure
Assessment tasks
Marking criteria
Attendance
Research projects and coursework theses
Assessment validation and moderation
Assessment submission
Penalties for late submission
Extensions to the due date of an assessment
Examination of research projects and coursework theses
Release of marks and feedback to students
Reporting course progress of under-18 ELICOS students
Special consideration
Review of a marked assessment item
Review of a final grade
Applying for a review of a final grade
Circumstances where all grades in a subject may be reviewed
Retention of assessment
Complaints
Section 6 - Non-Compliance
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