Assessment processes

Get an overview of the assessment process at Sussex, including the systems we use and the people involved.

Systems involved in the assessment process

There are three key systems that you need to know about when tslking about assessments:

• Oracle Web Forms (also referred to as CMS or Yellow pges): this is our Central student records database and holds all our data, including student records, module records and assessment records.
• Sussex Direct: this is a web portal that brings together data from several systems, including data from our central student records database and timetabling.
• Canvas: this is the University’s virtual learning environment, and is where students submit their electronic assessments and view their feedback. The marking tool within Canvas is called Speedgrader, and markers use this to record marks and feedback. Students also view their feedback using Speedgrader. Student, module and assessment data is fed to Canvas from the central Student Records Database

The assessment process

The table below outlines the different stages of the assessment process, who is involved and the systems used to complete each task. More detail for some steps can be found below the table.

Set up assessments

1. Assessment data for each module is set up and managed by School Offices (normally Curriculum & Assessment Officers) in Oracle Webforms (CMS). This data includes the Submission Point (such as Canvas Online, or Ask Tutor), Assessment Mode, deadline, marking groups and marking roles.
2. The data is used by the Exams and Assessment team to create assessment instances for the current academic year, usually in the first week of teaching.
3. For most assessments, a feed from Oracle Web Forms automatically creates an assignment for each assessment in the corresponding module site in Canvas. Any changes to the assessment in Oracle Web Forms will update the corresponding assignment in Canvas.

Where assessments cannot be created automatically, for example for certain assessment modes or submission points, the assignment is created manually in Canvas by the module convenor.

The Setting up assessments page has detailed guidance for each assessment mode, including which require an assignment to be created manually in Canvas.

Where an assignment has been created automatically in Canvas via the feed from Oracle Web forms, do not delete the assignment from Canvas or change dates in Canvas, as this will create a mismatch with Oracle Web Forms and may lead to students’ assessment outcomes being recorded incorrectly. Contact your Curriculum & Assessment Officer if you see an issue with an assignment in Canvas so that it can be corrected in Oracle Web Forms, which will then update Canvas.

Confirming and releasing marks

 For most assessments, marks are pulled from Canvas to Sussex Direct automatically. Any penalties and adjustments will be applied automatically in Sussex Direct (but these adjustments do not feed back to Canvas).

If an assignment was created manually in Canvas, then the Assessment Convenor inputs the marks manually into Sussex Direct.

See the Releasing Grades and Feedback page for more information..

Sending a sample for moderation

Moderation is a process that is undertaken following the completion of the marking and marks checking process.

Find out how moderation works and what the process involves.

How students see their marks and feedback

Students see their marks in Sussex Direct, as this system holds the final marks following the application of any penalties or adjustment (which are not fed back to Canvas). Students view their feedback in Canvas. See the Directing students towards their feedback page for more information on how students see their feedback in Canvas.

See more from Setting up assessments, marking work and giving feedback