TDG – Development of a Moodle Based Online Communication Skills Assessment Mechanism for the Faculty of Business and Economics

Abstract

In response to the University’s Strategic Development Theme that encourages exploring the use of technology to enrich teaching and learning, and adoption of Moodle in curriculum design and assessment, this project aimed at developing and testing an online Communication Skills Assessment for the Faculty of Business and Economics using Moodle interface. A Moodle-based online Communication Skills Assessment (English Proficiency Assessment) for the Faculty of Business and Economics was developed to replace the old paper-and-pencil version. The new test content was designed to provide appropriate and targeted assessment for students’ English communication skills (in a written format). Four Moodle sites were constructed for conducting the Communication Skills Assessment in the School of Business (hereafter SoB) and in the School of Economics and Finance (hereafter SEF) for entry and exit assessments. These Moodle sites have been used for all four tests in both schools. A total of five online assessments have been conducted since September, 2013 to March, 2014 (pilot test, entry and exit test for SoB, and entry and exit test for SEF). This online version of the Communication Skills Assessment offered greater ease for test taking, and provided greater convenience test administration and grading. The revised test content also provided more relevant information on language and communication skill learning for FBE.

Deliverables