Assessing graduate screen production outputs in nineteen ...

2009 and can be found at the following web address:http://nass.murdoch.edu.au/altc/index.html5.1.3 Assessment ModelThe assessment model and the criteria set continued to be explored throughout thefirst year of the project in consultation with the Rasch analysis consultant ProfessorDavid Andrich. The assessment model initially involved as many as 65 variables.The number was subsequently reduced to the 34 described in the previous chapter.5.1.4 National CollaborationsThe two overarching reasons for undertaking this project were (i) to investigate theconsistency of assessment process (ii) to identify the complexities of theassessment process in screen production and convey the complexity of this processin quantitative terms to our institutional colleagues and to our academic regulators(such as ARC and DIISR). In the light of these reasons, developing a conceptualframework for the project and establishing collaborative links was just as importantas developing the statistical model.During this time the project leader established links with the Australian Council ofUniversity Art and Design Schools (ACUADS) and the National Organization ofMedia Arts Database (NOMAD) and with Associate Professor Su Baker and Dr PaulThomas in particular. Both Associate Professor Su Baker and Dr Paul Thomas wereproject leaders of ALTC grants which had a focus on creative arts, namely:Associate Professor Su Baker – Future-proofing the creative arts in highereducation: scoping for quality in tertiary creative arts learning, teaching, andresearch training project Information:http://www.creativeartsphd.com/index.htmlDr Paul Thomas – Scoping Study for a National New Media/ Electronic ArtsNetwork: http://mass.nomad.net.au/After some brainstorming we all decided to hold a combined Media Arts Congress(MAC) at VCA, Melbourne, 4-6 July 2009. The assessment conference componentof the MAC was entitled: Diegetic Life Form and Diegetic Logic: Assessing ImagebasedScholarship and was scheduled for Monday 6 July 2009. The invitation for thefirst project conference was posted on the website:http://nass.murdoch.edu.au/altc/projectone/news.html5.2 Stage 2: Trial-Run and Consultations5.2.1 Assessment Trial-RunBy April 2009 much of the conceptual and analytical frameworks for the project werein place along with the 34 criteria set of assessment questions needed for theassessment. To this end a DVD with five short honours productions was preparedfor a trial run without any institutional logos or credits. Assessment booklets for useby assessors were also prepared.The trial run also provided an opportunity to familiarise the assessors and the statecoordinators with the entire assessment procedure while identifying any problemsthat could arise. These research activities were approved by and conducted to therequirements of the Human Ethics Committee at Murdoch University and our partnerAssessing graduate screen production outputs in nineteen Australian film schools63