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BUS109 Academic Skills Support 201755555 20th December 2017 1 Question Discuss

BUS109 Academic Skills Support 201755555 20th December 2017 1 Question Discuss why assignment essays are common assessment tasks in undergraduate tertiary coursework, and evaluate the effectiveness of assignments as an avenue for learning. Assignment essays give students a period of time to research a topic and produce their answer with references to their sources of information. While there are some disadvantages with using assignment essays as an assessment tool, there are sound educational purposes underpinning this practice. This essay examines the reasons why assignment essays are beneficial for student learning and considers some of the problems with this method of assessment. Assignment essay tasks are beneficial in that they assist students to develop mastery of their subject. Firstly, assignment tasks enhance understanding about subject matter. Yang and Baker (2005, p.1) reason that "to master your learning materials and extend your understanding, you need to write about what you gain from your research". Secondly, research clearly demonstrates that students learn the writing conventions of a subject area while they are researching, reading and writing in their discipline (Jinx, 2004). This helps them to "crack the code" of the discipline (Bloggs, 2003, p. 44). Thus, students are learning subject matter and how to write in that disciplinary area by researching and writing assignment essays. Using assignment essays for assessment supports student learning better than the traditional examination system. Assessment essays can reduce the extreme stress experienced by some students over end of semester examinations, as can be seen in Wonderland University’s 2006 study: If we insist that all students write about everything they have learned in their study courses at the same time and in the same place (e.g. in examinations), we are not giving all of our students equal opportunities. Some students are not daunted by the exam experience while others suffer 'exam nerves' and perform at the lowest level of their capabilities. (Wonderland University, 2006, p. 4) Additionally, Jones, Smith, Brown, Zong, Thompson and Fung (2004, pp.36-37) propose that assignment essays can be used to assess student learning mid-course and so provide them with “helpful feedback” before they are subjected to the exam experience. Exams only provide students with a mark rather than specific feedback on their progress. Jones et al. (2004) believed setting assignment essays for a substantial part of student assessment is a much fairer approach than one- off examination testing. As an assessment tool, assignment essays have some disadvantages for lecturers and students. They require a great deal of staff time and money to mark and student time to prepare (Sankey & Liger, 2005). A consequence of this is that feedback to students is frequently delayed, and this is much less useful to students than rapid feedback. It is partly because of these disadvantages of time Line spacing within a paragraph: 1.5 Line spacing between paragraphs: 1.5 In-text reference for partial quote - page number required (if available) In-text reference for quotes - page number required (if available) In-text reference for complete paraphrase - Page number optional Line spacing in a long quote: single (1) Long quote (30 words or more): • Fully justified block • No quote marks • In-text reference with page number No indent at the start of a paragraph Headings: Arial 13/14 pts. Bold - but NO underline Text alignment: Left A4 page (example not to scale) Header (on every page) contains subject code and title Font: Arial Size: 11 Addition of question - optional Footer (on every page) contains; student number (left), due date (centre) and page number (right). Essay Formatting Guide APA 6th Edition BUS109 Academic Skills Support 201755555 20th December 2017 2 and expense that other assessments such as multiple-choice tests and short answer questions have an enduring place in the tertiary learning environment. To conclude, assignment essays continue to have an important role in tertiary education as an assessment tool. This is mainly because they are effective in developing knowledge and writing skills while allowing students to show their understanding of content in less pressured circumstances. However, the time consuming nature of writing and marking essays are disadvantages that also need to be considered. The weight of evidence supports the writing of assignment essays for student assessment because this approach has such positive and proven effects for improved student learning. Leave page blank after conclusion 1.5cm margins (text to edge of page) Reference list begins on a new page 1.5cm BUS109 Academic Skills Support 201755555 20th December 2017 3 References Bloggs, J. (2003). Linking teaching, learning and succeeding in higher education. Kennington, London: Bookworld. Jinx, J.M. (2004). Student essay writing. Journal of Research in University Education, 9(2), 114-125. doi:10.1016/S0364-0213(81)80017-1 Jones, J., Smith, P.L., Brown, K., Zong J., Thompson, K., & Fung, P.A. (2004). Helpline: Essays and the university student. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Sankey, J.M., & Liger, T.U. (2003). Learning to write essays. Sydney, NSW: Wonderland University Press. Wonderland University. (2006). Attributes of a university graduate. Retrieved from www.link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10734-004-6384-7?LI=true Yang, S., & Baker, O.E. (2005). Essay writing and the tertiary student. Melbourne, Vic: Diamond Press. Line spacing for references: single (1) No space between entries If no DOI is available, use a retrieval statement If a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is available, you must use it References start on a new page Headings: Arial 13 or 14 points Can be bold - but NO underline Hanging indent References in alphabetical order Essay adapted from UNE (n.d.) Academic Writing. Retrieved from http://learninghub.une.edu.au/tlc/ aso/aso-online/academic-writing/sample-essay.php ALWAYS refer to the Academic Writing Guide APA 6th edition (available on Sharepoint) to ensure that your academic writing and referencing style is correct according to BMIHMS@TUA requirements 10/7/17 uploads/Litterature/ essay-formatting-guide 1 .pdf