A new Assessment Tracking system is being piloted during Term 1, 2006, with external (FLEX) courses.

This will enable all distance education students to track their items of assessment through the marking process. Students will also be able to print personalised coversheets.

This is part of the University’s efforts to build a learning environment which is more sensitive and responsive to the needs of our students.

It has been identified that the ability to track items of assessment, from initial receipt through the marking process, would improve the quality systems of the University, enhance communications with our students and provide staff with more information to enable better recognition of students who may need extra support.

CQU already has a number of assignment tracking systems in use, such as MyCQU, Blackboard and ATracks.

However, these systems work independently of each other, and not all items of assessment are currently tracked.

The new assessment tracking system, which is a module within the Peoplesoft Higher Education system, will fill these gaps, and interface with existing systems to extract information to minimise duplication of effort, and therefore will become the central authoritative source for assessment tracking and result information.

As the existing systems effectively cater for particular functional needs, these systems will not be replicated or replaced.

Students will be sent an information sheet and a step-by-step guide to use the new assessment tracking pages on e.rolment with their ‘inside-out’ newsletter in week 2.

Markers will be sent a fact sheet and an information sheet about the markers report. DTLS staff training is being provided, and other staff will be invited to attend training and information sessions, tentatively planned for week 3 or 4. Details of these will be provided by email.

If the pilot is successful, it is intended that the system will then be rolled out University-wide. It is planned that further implementation of this system will include recording results for each individual item of assessment.

If you have any questions about the Assessment Tracking system, please feel free to contact Allison Vial on 1100, Karyn Smith on 2229 or email assess.tracking@cqu.edu.au.