Producing websites for assessment: a case study from a level 1 fieldwork module

Abstract

BSc Single Subject Geography students at University College Chester enrol for a core module that involves the acquisition of fieldwork data, data analysis and project design. One of this module's assessment exercises requires students to ‘write up’ a field‐based research project as a functioning website. This paper explores the practicalities of delivering this type of assessment and of providing support for students. It then discusses tutor perceptions and student feedback, both of which suggest that the website assignment ‘adds value’ to the core module aims by facilitating the development of C & IT skills, in addition to providing intellectual challenges associated with the selection, integration, presentation and structuring of information.

Keywords:

• Assessment
• websites
• C & IT
• fieldwork
• World Wide Web

Notes

Correspondence address: Derek France, Geography Department, Beswick Building, University College Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UK. Email: [email protected]

Students at University College Chester complete a total of 24 modules during their degree programme, eight per level (year). A BSc Single Subject Geography student takes a minimum of 16 geography modules.

University College Chester has created its own intranet system, called IBIS. In common with most virtual learning environments, designated areas are provided in which tutors can publish support materials for individual modules.

University College Chester subscribes to the Netskills Gold scheme, which allows any of the 50 plus Netskills training modules to be used for teaching purposes. The specific modules used in this module are ‘Creating Web Pages Using FrontPage 2000’ and ‘Managing Your Web Site Using FrontPage 2000’. The presentation ‘Tools For Creating Web Pages’ contains useful introductory information for the beginner (further details at http://www.netskills.ac.uk).

It is important to remember that creating the materials for a website will usually involve the use of more than just the web‐page editor (e.g. image‐editing software and drawing packages).

For more information see http://edina.ed.ac.uk/digimap/

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Derek France *

Correspondence address: Derek France, Geography Department, Beswick Building, University College Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UK. Email: [email protected]