Subject Coordinators: Key messages re: Semester 2 Exams
Subject coordinators are strongly advised to review and follow this advice to ensure students are adequately supported and prepared for the upcoming assessment period.
The role of the Subject Coordinator in preparing students for what to expect on the day of their exam is central to the delivery of student-centric exams. Prof Richard James, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Prof Nilss Olekans, President of the Academic Board, have strongly advised subject coordinators to review and follow the advice below, to ensure students are adequately supported and prepared for the upcoming assessment period.
The following advice incorporates staff and student feedback and findings from the Chancellery (Academic) and Academic Board-commissioned Review of Semester 1 Assessment Period.
- Seek assessment design and technology advice from the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education (MCSHE) and Learning Environments (LE) as you finalise the design of your exam within one of the supported exam formats.
- Advise students of the exam type and format as early as possible; including any special requirements, authorised materials and required devices.
- Adopt a consistent approach to assessment communications, including the channel(s) you will use to share exam information with students, and check with your Head of Department/ASO for recommended wording and templates to use. LE has also developed advice and templates for Subject Coordinators to use when communicating exam information, available on their website.
- Direct and link students to support resources for the specific exam type and format. These are made available by LE and the Exams Office. The exams webpages for students will be comprehensively updated with information ready for the release of the Semester 2 exams timetable on Friday 16 October.
- Strongly remind students of the Academic Integrity website and how academic integrity practices and principles apply to online examinations, and refer students to Academic Skills for specific support to help prepare for these types of assessments. The Academic Integrity resources for students sitting online examinations have been comprehensively refreshed for the online examination context and in response to the Assessment Review recommendations and will be available on the Get Ready for Your Exams student webpages by 16 October to coincide with the release of the Semester 2 exams timetable.
- Be mindful of the volume of material students are expected to complete within the timetabled exam to ensure it is reasonable for them to complete and upload (if required) within the time limit.
- Understand and seek advice from Student Equity and Disability Support team on the requirements of students with Alternative Examination Arrangements.
- Provide an opportunity for students to practice completing the exam type and format prior to SWOTVAC. You should provide students an opportunity to undertake a practice exam:
- under the same conditions as the exam, where practical, or simulated exams conditions as required;
- with a similar volume of exam content, if appropriate; and
- using the end-to-end technologies needed to access, complete and submit the exam.
- Triage students having trouble using the technology required to complete and submit the exam to support services as needed e.g. Faculty-led and central supported drop-ins.
- Highlight to students who experience issues with their personal devices and Internet connectivity that they may seek assistance from the University e.g. free WiFi devices.
- Remind students that alternative arrangements can be requested if they do not have a safe or suitable environment in which to sit the exam. (Note that the dates and information on this page will be comprehensively updated in time for the release of the exam timetable on Friday 16 October.
Refer to the Semester 2 Guide for Subject Coordinators on the Exams Hub for further information about roles and responsibilities, how to prepare, what to expect on the day, where to refer students experiencing difficulties and who to contact if you need support.
Please refer to the Exams Hub for more specific advice on the steps above and links to support materials. The Exams Hub also provides an overview of the plan and timeline of examination communications to students and copies of the communications that have been sent.