Action Words - The following list of "action Words" has been compiled to provide both unit chairs and students with a common reference for what is required when a particular "action word" is used in both assignments and examinations. The list contains some of the more common terms used and where possible should be used when constructing assessment questions.
Academic Results
Guidelines for Review of Distance Learning Study Material
Action Words
Analyse - Show the essence of something by breaking it down into its component parts and examining each part in detail.
Compare - Look for similarities and differences between propositions.
Critically analyse - Give your judgement about the merit of theories or opinion about the truth of facts, and back your judgement by a discussion of the evidence.
Define - Give a clear, concise, authoritive meaning.
Describe - Give a detailed or graphic account.
Discuss - Investigate or examine by argument, sift and debate, giving reasons for and against.
Evaluate - Make an appraisal of the worth of something, in the light of its apparent truth or utility; include your personal opinion.
Examine - Present in depth and investigate the implications.
Explain - Clarify and interpret the material you present. Make plain the conditions which give rise to what you are examining.
Illustrate - Explain and make clear by the use of concrete examples, or by the use of a figure or diagram.
Interpret - Bring out the meaning of, and make clear and explicit; usually also giving your own judgement.
Justify - Show adequate grounds for decisions or conclusions.
Outline - Give the main features or general principles of a subject, omitting minor details, and emphasising structure and relationship.
Relate - Narrate/show how things are connected to each other, and to what extent they are alike or affect each other (Marshall &Rowland 1998).
Review - A critical examination and analysis is required.
Summarise - Give in condensed form the main points, theories or facts
If you would like any other "action words" included in the list please email CPEE with your suggestions.
Academic Results
Academic results are issued in late July for Study Period 1, and mid December for Study Period 2. Students are always keen to receive their exam results, and the CPEE Staff attempt to provide these quickly. On completion of the initial marking of examinations, a number of procedures are followed before results are available for distribution. These procedures are imperative to ensure the accuracy of results for all students, fair and appropriate moderation and the integrity of the program. Results will be sent via email to each student.
PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING ACADEMIC RESULTS
- Data entry marks are double checked for accuracy.
- Student attendance is double checked against exam roll.
- All marginal and fail grades are automatically reviewed.
- All requests for special consideration are considered.
- Late assignment applications are considered.
- An Examiners Committee assesses and approves examination results
Key to Results
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Grading scheme 2008 |
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High distinction |
HD |
80–100% |
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Distinction |
DI |
70–79% |
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Credit |
CR |
60–69% |
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Pass |
P |
50–59% |
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Graded to pass only |
PX |
|
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Fail |
N |
0–49% |
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Credit granted |
E |
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Exemption granted |
EX |
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Did not sit examination |
DNS |
|
|
Withdrawal |
WD |
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Grade Descriptions:
As a guide for examiners and students:
Fail:
The student’s performance fails to satisfy the learning requirements specified and/or has failed to address the assessment requirements correctly.
Pass:
The student has addressed the assessment correctly and the performance satisfies all of the basic learning requirements specified and provides some basic level of understanding of the subject matter. The student’s performance could be described as satisfactory, adequate or competent.
Credit:
The student has addressed the assessment requirements correctly and the performance, in addition to satisfying all of the basic learning requirements specified, demonstrates a level of insight and ability in researching, analysing, and applying relevant skills and concepts. The student’s performance could be described as better than satisfactory, adequate or competent but not outstanding.
Distinction:
The student has addressed the assessment requirements correctly and the performance, in addition to satisfying the basic learning requirements, demonstrates distinctive insight and ability in researching, analysing and applying relevant concepts. The performance also shows a well-developed ability to integrate and evaluate knowledge. The student’s performance could be described as distinguished; there is clear demonstration of some additional reading and research, of the ability to apply knowledge more creatively to a wider range of situations, and of a greater depth of knowledge.
High Distinction:
The student has addressed the assessment requirements correctly and the performance, in addition to satisfying the basic learning requirements, demonstrates distinctive insight and ability in researching, analysing and applying relevant concepts. The student’s performance could be described as outstanding; there is a clear demonstration of having undertaken additional reading and research, of have a high level of ability to apply knowledge more creatively and to a wider range of situations, and of an excellent level of knowledge.
Guidelines for Review of Distance Learning Study Material
The following procedure applies to the regular revision or update of study materials for CPEE distance learning units. Some steps may be more important for specific study materials than others and this will be brought to the attention of reviewers when the review contract is signed. Nevertheless, all steps should be considered during the review process.
1. Does the Summary from one topic lead into the Introduction to the next topic so that there is some continuity in the study materials?
2. Is there is a specified text nominated for this unit? If so, check the availability of the text with the publisher. If the text is no longer published, is there a text you can recommend?
3. Check all References to sources of information in each topic and in the study module. Are there any library/online resources which could be added to the lists?
4. All study topics must contain Activities, Review Questions and Readings. Check these items for relevance and currency. All Review Questions must have outline solutions which provide students with an outline “answer” and gives them an indication of the level of response required in the final examination. Note that postgraduate courses are required to challenge students to show that they have skills in analysis, critical evaluation and the practical application of knowledge.
5. Activities should be used to provide a break in each topic, to encourage and motivate students and enable students to gauge their own progress and understanding of the study material. They should also challenge students to think more deeply and to put concepts into context. The instructions should be clear and the questions answerable, unless they are being used to develop critical thinking and are of the open-ended “what if” type.
6. All topics should be split into manageable blocks of study time. All CPEE students are in full time employment and generally will be restricted to evening study of about 2 -3 hours.
7. Check the Learning Objectives/Learning Outcomes set for each topic in the study guide. As well as being unambiguous, all Objectives should be measurable and used in the assessment process to measure the level of understanding reached by each student (i.e. the Objectives must be achievable). Distance learning materials are most effective when they include precise objectives (see sample in Appendix A).
8. If extra study material has been added; can the unit still be completed in the 18 week study period?
9. Compare the Unit Syllabus with the revised study materials and identify any differences. Change the syllabus to represent the revised study materials.
10. Prepare two Assignments which are clearly linked with the Learning Objectives and which will indicate how each student has progressed in their understanding of the study materials and the application of this information. A measure of Learning Outcomes requires learners to complete tasks which demonstrate that they have achieved the standards specified in the Learning Outcomes. Each Assignment should take approximately 20 hours of student time to complete.
11. The Sample Examination should provide a guide as to the format and nature of questions in the final 3-hour paper. Use the list of words on the “resources” page of the CPEE website www.pavementeducation.edu.au (reproduced in Appendix B) to prepare suitably challenging questions. Again reference should be made to the learning outcomes described in the objectives for each topic.
CPEE August 2008
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