A handheld computer device for physiotherapy practical examinations

21 April 2009

Developed by: 
Dr Trevor Russell
Institution: 
The University of Queensland
Teaching and Learning Strategy: 

A handheld computer device has been developed to streamline the process of the practical examination of students and to provide a mechanism for providing students with timely feedback on their performance in a practical examination
The device will be used by staff during practical examination to grade students according to an assessment template entered into the system by the examiner. This template will consist of the various cognitive and psychomotor attributes which form the assessment criteria of the examination along with relevant grading systems and descriptive text feedback fields.
 
It is anticipated that this system will streamline the practical examination process by automatically tallying results and outputting these to the university's mySI-net examination result collation system. In addition, the system will enable written comments of a student's performance in each cognitive and psychomotor attribute, to be emailed to them in a timely manner thus facilitating a reflective learning process.

Course Name: 
This system has been trialed successfully in 2004 in two physiotherapy courses (PHTY1200 and PHTY2110). It is planned for rollout across the entire undergraduate and GEM programs commencing in 2005.
Year Level: 
First Year
Expected Outcomes: 

Year Level : (Undergraduate 1-4 year, GEMS 1-2 Years)
 
Early feedback on performance will facilitate reflective learning by students.
 

Effective Aspects: 

The timely provision of feedback to students on their performance in practical examinations is the main aspect of this program which will influence student learning

Evaluation: 

Informal evaluation of the system was conducted in 2004.

Evaluation Outcomes: 

The overwhelming feeling of the staff using the system was that it saved large amounts of time traditionally associated with the collation and posting of practical examination marks. Students appreciated the timely provision of feedback on their performance.

Plans for Changes/Developments in Future: 

No

For Further Details
Contact Name: 
Trevor Russell
Contact Faculty/School: 
Division of Physiotherapy, School Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Contact Institution: 
The University of Queensland