Macquarie University have released two documents focused on assisting academics prepare assessments for the formal examination period in light of the COVID-19 emergency.

1) A set of general “Principles for the conduct of formal examinations in S1, 2020” (pdf) were approved by the Executive Director of Student Engagement and Registrar, and by the Executive Action of the Chair of Senate, 1 May 2020. The principles were approved to supplement the university Assessment Policy during the COVID-19 emergency and are intended to set a framework with the acknowledgement that within these there is scope for localised implementation.

2) A set of “Digital Exam Guidelines” (requires MQ login) have been developed by L&T to help support academics explore options and implementation for digital assessments within the scope of the principles. A timeline has also been provided within. The guidelines document is provided as a living document that will be updated as new information comes to hand in this rapidly changing environment.

Localising implementation

In light of the recent approval and dissemination of the principles, a Q&A webinar was hosted on 7 May with Sean Brawley and Mathew Hillier responding to academic and practical questions on how the principles and guidelines could be implemented and how this may play out in local contexts. The session recording and a Q&A Summary are available (both need MQ login to access).

Your input

We acknowledge that the details explored in the guidelines document are not complete. We therefore welcome feedback and questions so we can improve the guidelines to better meet the needs of the Macquarie academic community.

Posted by Mathew Hillier

Mathew has been engaged by Macquarie University as an e-Assessment Academic in residence and is available to answer questions by MQ staff. Mathew specialises in Digital Assessment (e-Assessment) in Higher Education. Has held positions as an advisor and academic developer at University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, Monash University and University of Adelaide. He has also held academic teaching roles in areas such as business information systems, multimedia arts and engineering project management. Mathew recently led a half million dollar Federal government funded grant on e-Exams across ten university partners and is co-chair of the international 'Transforming Assessment' webinar series as the e-Assessment special interest group under the Australasian society for computers in learning in tertiary education. He is also an honorary academic University of Canberra.

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