INSCAPE EDUCATION GROUP
Policy & Procedures for Moderation R1.0
2009/12/01
Moderation Policy
Moderation [peer review] is a valuable source of input into the continued relevance of programme content and direction.
Assessment of student work is also moderated both internally and externally to ensure its consistency and reliability. 1
DESIGN PROGRAMMES
Internal moderation procedure
Internal moderation of assessment is conducted at two levels.
Firstly, internal moderation takes place, evaluating and moderating lecturer’s accuracy and reliability. This is done by a panel of lecturers assessing a group of students together. The process is conducted at least twice a year: once through the presentation of a practical assignment in the Design subject as a formative assessment moderation and once at the end of the year for the final project and portfolio submission as a summative assessment moderation.
Secondly, self evaluation of the assessment and moderation procedure and its effectiveness, by analysing student progress relative to the feedback and moderation received by a lecturer.
External moderation procedure
External moderators evaluate final year Portfolio and Final Project submissions.
At least two competent and impartial external moderators, one of whom is a respected academic and the other a recognised practitioner in the relevant industry, are appointed to assess the submissions (summative assessment for exit qualifications).
The final year lecturer briefs the moderators on the requirements of the assignment and on the assessment criteria.
Moderators are asked to prepare and submit a report on the student assignments and portfolios as well as to make suggestions for improvements to the curricula.
Final year portfolio
When portfolios are moderated, each moderator assesses an example of work at each end of the mark spectrum and at midrange - without consulting with one another - and then awards marks in accordance with the assessment criteria. The average of the moderators’ marks for the three portfolios is calculated. If the discrepancy between the moderators’ marks and those the Inscape lecturers is less than 10%, the lecturers’ marks are not changed. Otherwise, the portfolios must be remarked by other Inscape lecturers.
Final year final project
The Final Project is presented by the student to the lecturers and the moderators. The moderator comments and awards a percentage for the assignment.
DRAUGHTING AND DECORATING PROGRAMMES
Moderators are asked to prepare and submit a report on the student assignments and portfolios as well as to make suggestions for improvements to the curricula.
Internal moderation procedure
Internal moderation of assessment is conducted at two levels.
Firstly, internal moderation takes place, evaluating and moderating lecturer’s accuracy and reliability. This is done by a panel of lecturers assessing a group of students together. The process is conducted at least twice a year: once at the submission of a portfolio half way through the programme as a formative assessment, and once at the end of the year at the submission of a portfolio as a summative assessment.
Secondly, self evaluation of the assessment and moderation procedure and its effectiveness, by analysing student progress relative to the feedback and moderation received by a lecturer.
Request for internal moderation by a student
In the event that a student is not satisfied with a result awarded for an assignment, the student may request that the assessment of the submitted assignment be moderated. The student must complete an internal moderation request form providing the code and name of the assignment and the reason for the moderation request. A lead time of four weeks is allowed for the processing of the assignment. The Academic Manager appoints an internal lecturer, other than the lecturer who originally assessed the assignment, to moderate the assessment. The higher of the two results is awarded and captured on the marks database. The moderator provides relevant feedback to the student in the form of a typed report. If the student is still not satisfied with the findings, a request may be made for the assignment to be moderated externally at a prescribed fee.
The following conditions apply when requesting that an internal moderation be conducted:
1. the assignment must have been submitted by the deadline date specified on the course outline,
2. late and resubmissions may not be submitted for moderation,
3. an internal moderation request form must be completed and submitted together with the assignment to the Academic Manager or Campus Principal via the receptionist at each campus, and
4. a student whose fees are in arrears may not apply for internal moderation.
Request for external moderation by a student
In the event that a student is not satisfied with a result awarded for an internal moderation of an assignment a student may request an external moderation of the assessed assignment. The student must complete an external moderation request form stipulating the code and name of the assignment and the reason for the moderation request. A lead time of six weeks is allowed for the processing of the assignment. The academic Manager appoints a suitably qualified moderator who is not employed at the institution. The external moderator assesses the assignment. The higher of the two results is awarded and captured on the marks database. The external moderator provides relevant feedback to the student in the form of a typed report.
The following conditions apply when requesting an external moderation:
1. an external moderation may not be requested unless an internal moderation has been processed and the student has indicated dissatisfaction with the outcome thereof,
2. an external moderation request form must be completed and submitted together with the assignment to the Academic Manager or Campus Principal via the receptionist at each campus,
3. a student whose fees are in arrears may not apply for external moderation, and
4. a administration fee of R190 is payable as an admin fee as well as R200 per hour or part thereof for moderation conducted by the external moderator. An initial fee of R390 is payable and proof of payment thereof should be attached to the external moderation form submitted. Should the moderator assess for more than one hour or part thereof, the additional fee will be charged accordingly. Final results will be processed on receipt of all fees charged.
1 This document should be read in conjunction with
Student Assessment Policy and Procedures
end
proposed amendments in red
changes since previous release in italics