Student Guidance for Assessment Criteria and Portfolios · The SMAE Institute Diploma in Foot...

Student Guidance for Assessment Criteria and

Portfolio Tasks

Tracey O’Keeffe MA, BSc, MAFHP, MCFHP

© The Smae Institute (1919) Ltd

What is this guidance for?

As part of your course you will be writing portfolio tasks which consist of 12 short essays. These are handed in to be marked in two batches: Modules 1-6

and Modules 7-12.

You need to pass all 12 - The pass mark is 50%

This presentation should help you understand how these are assessed and therefore how YOU can work towards achieving the best mark possible!

It will explain the process for handing in portfolios as well as how the person marking them will review your work and how the final % and grade is

reached.

So, what’s the process for handing in portfolios?

Handing in portfolio tasks are done electronically and comes in stages:

1) The first portfolio task (module 1) is handed in on its own. This is so you can get some guidance on your writing style, referencing, structure etc, as well as content. The tutor marking it will put some comments to help you understand how you can improve.

2) You then make corrections and hand this back in with essays 2-5, in other words all of 1-6 in together as a draft for tutor comments/feedback before they are officially marked. You will submit this set of 6 essays once you pass the Module 6 assessment.

3) Once these are returned and you have corrected and improved them, you then send 1-6 in again but this time for final marking at which stage a % will be scored.

4) Portfolio essays 7-12 are also handed in together as drafts for comments and on their return, you once again improve them and return them for final marking.

Assessment

Criteria

A (80%+) B (70% - 79%) C (60 - 69%) D (50% -59%) RESIT (49% and

below)

Level of knowledge

and relevance of

content

(30% weighting)

Excellent knowledge

base and thorough

discussion of relevant issues. Conclusion

shows synthesis and

clarity.

Good knowledge base

with a degree of in-

depth and relevant discussion. Conclusion

identifies key issues.

Evidence of reasonable

knowledge base with

discussion focused on the question. Simple

conclusion presented.

Demonstrates limited

knowledge base but

broadly answers the question. Attempts to

draw relevant

conclusion.

Inaccurate or irrelevant

content. Essay question

not adequately answered. No

conclusion or

conclusion not related

to the question.

Use of literature and

analytical discussion

(25% weighting)

Excellent range of

appropriate references

to support discussion. Demonstrates ability to

analyse and synthesise

information and

evaluate significance.

Good range of


to support discussion. Demonstrates some

ability to analyse

information and


Reasonable range of


to support discussion. Limited analysis instead

using literature in a

descriptive manner.

Limited range of


used. Minimal analysis and evaluation relying

instead on description.

Inadequate range of

reliable sources used

and/or inappropriate sources used.

Significant amount of

work with inadequate

referencing or unreferenced.

Quality of Referencing

(15% weighting)

Sources acknowledged

in essay with accurate

correlation to reference list. Harvard system

followed consistently

and accurately.


in essay with accurate



with only occasional

errors.


in essay and shows

correlation to reference list. Some elements of

Harvard system missed

but general consistency

demonstrated.

Sources generally

acknowledged but lack

of correlation between essay and reference

list. Inaccuracies in

Harvard format.

Attempts to be consistent.

Sources of information

not acknowledged.

Inappropriate and/or inaccurate referencing.

Harvard format not

adhered to with no

consistency.

Academic style and

written expression

(15% weighting)

Fluent, articulate and

coherent with logical

progression, clarity and academic expression.

Well written, coherent

with logical progression

with appropriate academic style.

Meaning clear. Some

logical progression but

lacks some academic style.

Meaning clear. Most

issues identified

logically and coherently.

Meaning unclear in

places. Lacks clarity and

coherence.

Presentation and

adherence to

guidelines

(15% weighting)

Excellent presentation,

articulate grammatical

style and correct spelling throughout.

Good format and

presentation, correct

grammar and spelling.

Attempts to follow

presentation guidelines

with only occasional errors in grammar and

spelling.

Presentation lacking in

areas but most

guidelines adhered to. More than occasional

grammar and/or

spelling errors.

Poorly presented with

lack of adherence to

guidelines. Multiple spelling and/or

grammar errors.

Word Count Word count outside -10% to +10% of the 500 word allowance will result in a 10 mark penalty

Marks awarded for each criteria section are added up to form an overall percentage mark which will equate to a grade.

A RESIT in any criteria will result in an overall mark of RESIT – all criteria must be passed

Portfolio Task 1: The first step

When you have submitted your first draft essay (Module 1 Portfolio Task), as already explained it will be returned with some comments – but also some guidance around where your work is in terms of grading (only summative – in other words the score doesn’t count at this stage).

It will have an assessment criteria sheet electronically attached (see right)

The grid will have areas shaded which indicate roughly what the

essay would score in each section

This example shows a reasonably good essay in terms of presentation, grammar and content but it has problems with referencing style – this would have to be addressed to get a

pass!!

The assessment criteria – “marking grid”

When you receive your portfolios back from the final marking (both 1-6 and 7-12) they will have a marking grid attached to them electronically (see image left).

This is what the tutor will have been using to assess your work and allocate marks. It is therefore

important that you look at this and understand it – it will help you maximise your chances of getting the

best mark.

The next few slide will help explain this in more detail…

The SMAE Institute Diploma in Foot Health Portfolio Marking Grid

Assessment Criteria A (80%+) B (70% - 79%) C (60 - 69%) D (50% - 59%) RESIT (49% and below)

Level of knowledge and relevance of

content

(30% weighting) Available marks = 30

Excellent knowledge base and thorough discussion

of relevant issues. Conclusion shows

synthesis and clarity.

Good knowledge base with a degree of in-depth

and relevant discussion. Conclusion identifies key

issues.

Evidence of reasonable knowledge base with

discussion focused on the question. Simple

conclusion presented.

Demonstrates limited knowledge base but

broadly answers the question. Attempts to

draw relevant conclusion.

Inaccurate or irrelevant content. Essay question

not adequately answered. No conclusion

or conclusion not related to the question.

Marks Awarded = 24.1 or above 21.5 – 24 18.1 – 21 15 – 18 < 15

Use of literature and analytical discussion

(25% weighting)

Available Marks = 25

Excellent range of appropriate references to

support discussion. Demonstrates ability to

analyse and synthesise information and evaluate significance.

Good range of appropriate references to

support discussion. Demonstrates some

ability to analyse information and evaluate significance.

Reasonable range of appropriate references to

support discussion. Limited analysis instead

using literature in a descriptive manner.

Limited range of appropriate references

used. Minimal analysis and evaluation relying

instead on description.

Inadequate range of reliable sources used

and/or inappropriate sources used. Significant

amount of work with inadequate referencing or unreferenced.

Marks Awarded =

20.1 or above 17.6 – 20 15.1 – 17.5 12.5 – 15 < 12.5

Quality of Referencing

(15% weighting)

Available marks = 15

Sources acknowledged in essay with accurate


followed consistently and accurately.

Sources acknowledged in essay with accurate


followed consistently with only occasional errors.

Sources acknowledged in essay and shows

correlation to reference list. Some elements of

Harvard system missed but general consistency demonstrated.

Sources generally acknowledged but lack of

correlation between essay and reference list.

Inaccuracies in Harvard format. Attempts to be consistent.

Sources of information not acknowledged.

Inappropriate and/or inaccurate referencing.

Harvard format not adhered to with no consistency.

Marks Awarded =

12.1 or above 10.6 - 12 9.1 – 10.5 7.5 - 9 < 7.5

Academic style and written expression

(15% weighting)

Available marks = 15

Fluent, articulate and coherent with logical

progression, clarity and academic expression.

Well written, coherent with logical progression

with appropriate academic style.

Meaning clear. Some logical progression but

lacks some academic style.

Meaning clear. Most issues identified logically

and coherently.

Meaning unclear in places. Lacks clarity and

coherence.

Marks Awarded =

12.1 or above 10.6 - 12 9.1 – 10.5 7.5 - 9 < 7.5

Presentation and adherence to

guidelines

(15% weighting) Available marks = 15

Excellent presentation, articulate grammatical

style and correct spelling throughout.

Good format and presentation, correct

grammar and spelling.

Attempts to follow presentation guidelines

with only occasional errors in grammar and

spelling.

Presentation lacking in areas but most guidelines

adhered to. More than occasional grammar

and/or spelling errors.

Poorly presented with lack of adherence to

guidelines. Multiple spelling and/or grammar

errors.

Marks Awarded =

12.1 or above 10.6 - 12 9.1 – 10.5 7.5 - 9 < 7.5

Word Count Word count outside -10% to +10% of the 500 word allowance will result in a 10 mark penalty.

Marks awarded for each criteria are added up to form an overall percentage mark which will equate to a grade.

A RESIT in any criteria will result in an overall mark of RESIT – all criteria must be passed.

1st Marker

2nd Marker Agreed / Disagreed

Mark Awarded

Grade Awarded

The final mark…

All portfolio essays are marked by two separate tutors. This helps the marking to be fair and objective.

The first marker provides a percentage mark which the

second marker then reviews.

If there was any disagreement (very rare!), it would go to the College Dean to arbitrate.

You will receive one final mark.

The final mark will be a % and a pass grade between A and D (i.e. 50% and above).

If you hadn’t achieved the assessment criteria in any section, you would be marked as a RESIT

The SMAE Institute Diploma in Foot Health

Portfolio Marking Grid

1st Marker

2nd Marker Agreed / Disagreed

Mark Awarded

Grade Awarded

Level of

knowledge and

relevance of

content

(30% weighting)

Available marks =

30

Excellent knowledge

base and thorough

discussion of

relevant issues.

Conclusion shows

synthesis and clarity.

Good knowledge

base with a degree

of in-depth and

relevant discussion.

Conclusion identifies

key issues.

Evidence of

reasonable

knowledge base with

discussion focused

on the question.

Simple conclusion

presented.

Demonstrates

limited knowledge

base but broadly

answers the

question. Attempts

to draw relevant

conclusion.

Inaccurate or

irrelevant content.

Essay question not

adequately

answered. No

conclusion or

conclusion not

related to the

question.

Marks Awarded = 24.1 or above 21.5 – 24 18.1 – 21 15 – 18 < 15

The first assessment criteria:

Level of knowledge and relevance of content

This section carries 30 marks

= 30%

Best marks here are achieved here by addressing key issues in depth, with an introduction, a discussion section and a

brief concluding paragraph.

The essay should demonstrate your understanding of the subject!

Common Pitfalls

Not focusing on the question! Try to avoid getting distracted by interesting subjects which are not

relevant to the question.

Getting information wrong/incorrect content

Make sure you have checked your work before submission.

A confusing structure & a lack of conclusion

This can result in the question not clearly being answered. The final

paragraph should be a brief summary of the answer to the

question and should relate to what has been discussed in the work.

Avoid filling in a

“back-story” to the

question!

Use of literature

and analytical

discussion

(25% weighting)

Available Marks =

25

Excellent range of

appropriate

references to support

discussion.

Demonstrates ability

to analyse and

synthesise

information and


Good range of

appropriate


discussion.

Demonstrates some

ability to analyse

information and


Reasonable range of

appropriate


discussion. Limited

analysis instead using

literature in a

descriptive manner.

Limited range of

appropriate

references used.

Minimal analysis and

evaluation relying

instead on

description.

Inadequate range of

reliable sources used

and/or inappropriate

sources used.

Significant amount of

work with inadequate

referencing or

unreferenced.

Marks Awarded =

20.1 or above 17.6 – 20 15.1 – 17.5 12.5 – 15 < 12.5

The second assessment criteria:

Use of literature and analytical discussion


= 25%

Best marks here are achieved here by using quality academic references, critiquing them and by “weaving” them into your discussion points.

Comparing different view points can help to add more marks!

Common Pitfalls

Not using enough references You need at least 3 for each essay

otherwise is classed as a resit.

Using inappropriate references They need to be reliable – if a

website is selling nail varnish, it’s probably not academic enough!

Large sections of work unreferenced

This can occur even if the reference list is long enough!

Lots of disjointed statements from literature without

discussion and clear relevance to the question.

You cannot cite YouTube, or websites

like “my assignment

help”

Quality of

Referencing

(15% weighting)

Available marks =

15

Sources

acknowledged in

essay with accurate

correlation to

reference list.

Harvard system


and accurately.

Sources

acknowledged in

essay with accurate

correlation to

reference list.

Harvard system


with only occasional

errors.

Sources

acknowledged in

essay and shows

correlation to

reference list. Some

elements of Harvard

system missed but

general consistency

demonstrated.

Sources generally

acknowledged but

lack of correlation

between essay and

reference list.

Inaccuracies in

Harvard format.

Attempts to be

consistent.

Sources of

information not

acknowledged.

Inappropriate and/or

inaccurate

referencing. Harvard

format not adhered

to with no

consistency.

Marks Awarded =

12.1 or above 10.6 - 12 9.1 – 10.5 7.5 - 9 < 7.5

The third assessment criteria:

Quality of referencing


= 15%

Best marks here are achieved here by sticking firmly to the Harvard referencing

system and being consistent throughout all work.

The sample portfolio online shows you how to do this!

Common Pitfalls

Not referencing at all All work must be referenced!!

Plagiarism!

Citing sources differently in the essay itself compared to how they are cited in the ref list.

Incorrectly citing a reference or not acknowledging a direct quote when the words used are exactly the same as the original author’s.

Too many direct quotes It is usually best to paraphrase

whilst still referencing to acknowledge the source of the

information.

Referencing can be

boring … but it is

essential!

Academic style

and written

expression

(15% weighting)

Available marks =

15

Fluent, articulate and


progression, clarity

and academic

expression.

Well written,


progression with

appropriate academic

style.

Meaning clear. Some

logical progression

but lacks some

academic style.

Meaning clear. Most

issues identified

logically and

coherently.

Meaning unclear in

places. Lacks clarity

and coherence.

Marks Awarded =

12.1 or above 10.6 - 12 9.1 – 10.5 7.5 - 9 < 7.5

The fourth assessment criteria:

Academic style and written expression


= 15%

Best marks here are achieved by an essay which flows really well and moves logically

from one section to the next.

The style needs to be academic rather than “chatty” or like a magazine!!

Common Pitfalls

Most problems occur here when the meaning is unclear. Sometimes this can be due to problems with grammar but it

can also be where the essay “jumps” around a lot, with

repetition or big gaps in content – make sure each section links

to the next.

Using “chatty” language or a style which sounds like

instructions Try to avoid writing as if you are

talking to someone!

Don’t write a story or make up characters – keep to the facts!!

Avoid using “I”, “you”, “we”, “us”,

etc in any of your work!

Presentation and

adherence to

guidelines

(15% weighting)

Available marks =

15

Excellent

presentation,

articulate

grammatical style

and correct spelling

throughout.

Good format and

presentation, correct

grammar and

spelling.

Attempts to follow

presentation

guidelines with only

occasional errors in

grammar and

spelling.

Presentation lacking

in areas but most

guidelines adhered

to. More than

occasional grammar

and/or spelling

errors.

Poorly presented

with lack of

adherence to

guidelines. Multiple

spelling and/or

grammar errors.

Marks Awarded =

12.1 or above 10.6 - 12 9.1 – 10.5 7.5 - 9 < 7.5

The fifth assessment criteria:

Presentation and adherence to guidelines


= 15%

Best marks here are achieved by ensuring your grammar, spelling and presentation

are as good as they can be!

Make sure you copy medical words and authors’ names correctly!!

Common Pitfalls

Not proof-reading for spelling Use spell check but remember this doesn’t always pick up on

all errors

Not forming proper paragraphs Avoid bullet points, lists and

subheadings

Problems with grammar Keep to formal, academic style

sentences throughout

Using the wrong font size and style or changing it throughout

your work

No names on the

work – just your

student number!

Word Count

Each essay should be 500 words as per the guidelines.

You are allowed -10% or +10%

i.e. 450 – 550 words

If you write more or less than you are allowed you

will lose 10 marks.

The word count must be cited on

each essay.

Remember: each criteria on each essay must be passed. This means that a good essay could improve marks

overall … but… conversely, a weak essay could pull the overall mark down!

One RESIT in one criteria in one essay could result in an overall RESIT… so

keep the standard consistently good

throughout!

Word Count Word count outside -10% to +10% of the 500 word allowance will result in a 10 mark penalty.

Marks awarded for each criteria are added up to form an overall percentage mark which will equate to a grade.

A RESIT in any criteria will result in an overall mark of RESIT – all criteria must be passed.

The marker will right your actual word count here when they have checked it

Some final points…

We hope this presentation has been useful. Here’s some final pointers and reminders to help you:

Put your student number on each page (as a header or footer) – no names or addresses! Ensure the essay title is included for each essay (don’t worry, this is not included in the word count)

Start each essay on a new page – Page numbers on each page Check font and size - and double space all work

Keep clearly focused on the question – don’t waffle or go off on a tangent! Check your grammar, spelling, structure etc and keep to formal, academic English throughout

Avoid the use of “I”, “we”, “you”, “us” etc Reference consistently using the Harvard system – make sure references are appropriate

Avoid subheadings, lists and bullet points Keep within word count – and write it on each essay under the title

Have a concluding paragraph which clearly answers the question and reflects what you have discussed

And just because it’s distance learning, you don’t have to feel alone and stranded…. Please ask for help if you need it!

Speak with a Tutor: 01628 621100 Email: [email protected] Tutor Chat: www.smae-elearning.co.uk Check online for timetable Student Study Days: (Saturdays) – Contact Gill Hawkins for future dates and to book your place [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]://www.smae-elearning.co.uk/http://www.smae-elearning.co.uk/http://www.smae-elearning.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]

Student Guidance for Assessment Criteria and Portfolios · The SMAE Institute Diploma in Foot...

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