Authentic tasks for revision [poster]

Barr, M. (2014) Authentic tasks for revision [poster]. In: HEA STEM Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2014, Edinburgh, UK, 30 Apr - 01 May 2014,

Abstract

In this case study, the use of an authentic task for revision of a Masters-level Information Technology course, Multimedia Systems, is described and evaluated. Authentic tasks are designed to mirror problems as they are encountered in the real world, with often ill-defined or even conflicting requirements, and limited time and resources available to develop a solution. While authentic tasks are increasingly used in higher education for the purposes of assessment, the small-scale study (n = 8) described here highlights the applicability of such an approach to revision. During a two-hour revision session, an authentic scenario was presented to students wherein they were to assume the role of a software development company bidding for work on the development of a multimedia application. The presented scenario was deliberately vague from a technical perspective. Students were divided into two smaller groups to introduce a competitive element and to better facilitate group discussion. Students were asked to devise and present a pitch that would see their fictional company win the contract, drawing on material taught over the semester. Following the presentations and ensuing discussion, students were asked to complete a short questionnaire to determine their opinion of the exercise’s effectiveness. The students’ responses were uniformly positive, and suggested that such authentic revision tasks may provide an excellent opportunity for students to learn from their peers, to and gain valuable experience in an environment that mimics that with which they will soon be faced following graduation.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Keywords: authentic tasks, revision, multimedia, peer learning, problem-based learning, employability, learning, teaching
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barr, Dr Matthew
• Authors: Barr, M.
• Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Information Studies
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Author
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the author