Step 2. Communication

It is essential to provide students with accurate and accessible information about all relevant aspects of a course, including unit learning outcomes, content, assessment and timetables, in a timely manner before the start of each study period. Information about the assessment provided to students, including the assessment criteria, must be clearly and accurately stated and sufficiently detailed to make explicit what is required of students undertaking an assessment task. Jargon or abbreviations that students are unlikely to be familiar with should be avoided. Well communicated assessment requirements will help the student not only to target their effort and stay on task, but also minimise the number of enquiries requesting greater clarity (Dunn, Morgan, O'Reilly, & Parry, 2003). 

Comprehensive information on each assessment task should be detailed in the unit outline and reinforced in your interactions with your students, whether face to face or online. Details should include the requirements and format of the task, word counts for submissions, duration of tests/examinations, marking criteria in the form of a marking guide or rubrics for each assessment, group marking processes, work integrated learning/fieldwork placement requirements, feedback processes (including the nature of feedback and how it will be provided), moderation processes, plagiarism monitoring and relevant information about penalties for late assessments, assessment extensions and deferred and/or supplementary assessments (depending on your institution’s policy). 

It is essential that you communicate to students about: 

  • what the assessments are for your unit, weightings for each assessment task, due dates, marking criteria, requirements for passing the unit, how each assessment task is linked to the unit learning outcomes and course learning outcomes (graduate capabilities), and any relevant professional competencies. There may be hurdle assessment requirements that students must pass in order to pass a unit or be eligible to graduate from a course; 
  • when and how students will receive feedback on each assessment task; and 
  • how marks are allocated to the individual in the case of a group assessment task.