Electronic assessment software for distance education

This paper describes the operational characteristics of MarkIt, a PC-based application that provides feedback on assessment items. This application has been prototyped over the past 3 years. The initial impetus for its development was the need to mark a large number of assignments submitted by students studying via distance education, and the need to coordinate and standardise the activities of several subject markers. The resultant software package incorporates features that provide students with information on the performance of their peers, plus the capacity for markers to enter detailed feedback at all stages of the marking process. A research project is underway to assess the outcomes and perceptions of students in units that have used MarkIt to provide feedback. It has been developed as a stand-alone application to provide maximum functionality and flexibility to users. Key features are modules that permit generation of e-mail feedback, use of key comments across different units and retention of feedback on each student's assessment, should they wish clarification of any area of the assessment at a later date. Modules under development include mark allocation, Web-based query interface, and provision of personal comments.