27.06.2013 Views

Volume Two - Academic Conferences

Volume Two - Academic Conferences

Volume Two - Academic Conferences

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

eSubmission – UK Policies, Practice and Support<br />

Barbara Newland 1 , Lindsay Martin 2 and Andy Ramsden 3<br />

1 University of Brighton, Brighton, UK<br />

2 Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK<br />

3 University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich, UK<br />

b.a.newland@brighton.ac.uk<br />

lindsay.martin@edgehill.ac.uk<br />

a.ramsden@ucs.ac.uk<br />

Abstract: eSubmission is currently being implemented in universities within the UK Higher Education (HE). The<br />

process of implementation is generally occurring in departments and Schools with institutional changes in policy<br />

and practice following afterwards. This paper provides a strategic overview of the current situation and focuses<br />

on key issues concerning the impact of eSubmission. The term eSubmission is used very widely to cover a range<br />

of activities which include eSubmission, eMarking, eFeedback, eReturn as well as plagiarism deterrence and<br />

detection. For clarity and distinction between these activities the term eSubmission is defined as online<br />

submission of an assignment in this paper. The research was undertaken through the Heads of eLearning Forum<br />

(HeLF). HeLF is a “network of senior staff in institutions engaged in promoting, supporting and developing<br />

technology enhanced learning” (HeLF, 2011). It was established in 2003 and currently represents over 120 HE<br />

institutions in the UK. It meets regularly every year at events relating to topical issues in strategic eLearning<br />

developments. eSubmission is having an impact on the roles of academics, administrative staff and learning<br />

technologists. It is changing the roles of academics and administrators as well as the relationship between them.<br />

It is creating extra work for learning technologists who support both academics and administrative staff and<br />

sometimes students using eSubmission. The technical infrastructure is in place within universities and often there<br />

is integration with Virtual Learning Environments. eSubmission is closely related to plagiarism detection as a<br />

digital version of an assignment is required to use the plagiarism software. In most universities plagiarism<br />

software is available across all courses, but it is generally used on an opt-in basis by individual academics or by a<br />

whole department. There are contrasting views on whether the plagiarism software is used for student<br />

development or plagiarism detection. The development approach (carrot) is often recommended but in practice<br />

the plagiarism detection (stick) approach is used. HeLF members were overwhelmingly positive to a proposed<br />

new role for HeLF to collate and publish and share practice in areas of eLearning such as eSubmission.<br />

Keywords: eSubmission, policy, process, change, HeLF<br />

1. Introduction<br />

eSubmission is currently being implemented in universities within the UK Higher Education (HE). The<br />

process of implementation is generally occurring in departments and Schools with institutional<br />

changes in policy and practice following afterwards. This paper provides a strategic overview of the<br />

current situation and focuses on key issues concerning the impact of eSubmission.<br />

The term eSubmission is used very widely to cover a range of activities which include:<br />

eSubmission<br />

eMarking<br />

eFeedback<br />

eReturn<br />

Plagiarism deterrence and detection<br />

For clarity and distinction between these activities the following definitions are used in this paper:<br />

eSubmission – online submission of an assignment<br />

eMarking – marking a paper online<br />

eFeedback - producing online feedback which could be text, audio etc but not paper<br />

eReturn – online return of marks<br />

Currently, there is usually a mixture practice in the process between online and paper. For example,<br />

students may be required to use eSubmission and hand in a hard copy. <strong>Academic</strong>s may mark hard<br />

copies but give online feedback.<br />

578

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!