Student Guidance for Online Assessment
Autumn Semester formal examinations are expected to be conducted mostly online, or in alternative assessment formats. In most cases exams are being replaced in the following ways:
- An assignment (without Turnitin)
- An assignment (with Turnitin)
- A Blackboard test (Quiz)
- Submitting handwritten work through Blackboard or Crowdmark Assignments
- Media submission through Blackboard Assignments
Your academic department will let you know which types of assessments will be used. You can try out different assessment formats before the real thing - see the Try out submitting online section below.
It's a good idea to complete assessments sooner rather than later, to give you time to seek help if you encounter any problems.
If you experience any issues during an online timed assessment, please see What to do if something goes wrong.
How to submit work in Blackboard
How to submit work in Blackboard using Turnitin
Try out submitting online |
You can access a practice course on Blackboard to try out the process of submitting different assessment types online. First please log into Blackboard and then click this link: Online Assessment Practice Course You will be asked to self-enrol on the course when you first access it. After this the course will appear in your course list on Blackboard, alongside your existing modules. If your tutor is using Crowdmark, they will be in touch to give more details about trying out submitting in this way. This will either be on your existing course or a separate course specifically to try out this approach. |
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Check your IT setup in advance |
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301 support for online assessment |
301: Academic Skills Centre have developed resources to help you tackle the range of assessments you may be undertaking remotely, as well as tips and techniques on creating a good working environment to help you stay on top of your workload. |
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Extra support for students |
The Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) have information on how disabled students' exam support requirements will be accommodated with the move to online assessment. DDSS also has guidance on how to take part in the University's yellow sticker scheme indicating you have a documented disability which affects your written communication when submitting assessments electronically via Blackboard Assignments or Turnitin. DDSS: Information for students who access - or are eligible to access - exam adjustments |
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Submitting handwritten assignments |
Your course may require you to submit handwritten work with equations or drawings through a Blackboard or Crowdmark assignment. This should be done as a PDF for Blackboard assignments. Crowdmark asssignments can accept images in JPG or PNG format as well as PDF. You should always check in the assignment information if a particular format is preferred. Guidance for completing handwritten assignmentsWhen setting out your work you should think about how you will capture it. Your tutor may give you guidance about how your work should be set out. A few general points to consider are:
Scanning handwritten assignments to PDFSome home printers will have a scanning function or the Microsoft Office Lens app can be used to create PDFs with a smartphone as shown below. If you are unable to use either of these methods please email digital.learning@sheffield.ac.uk copying in your course administrator or module leader. For issues with the MS Office Lens app, Microsoft provide online chat support.
Creating a PDF with Microsoft Office Lens (Android/Apple) |
What to do if something goes wrong
If you experience any issues during an online timed assessment that impacts your performance or ability to complete the assessment within the time allowed, you should complete the form linked below.
Online Assessment Report Form for Assessment 2020/21
You do not need to submit the form during your assessment but must do so as soon as possible afterwards.