University of Plymouth

SPECIMEN Module Review Form 2017-2018

Module Code and Title:GA2222 Gastronomy in the Modern World

Review completed by: Dr Julian Goodfellow

Date: 15th June 2018

Module Leader:Dr J Goodfellow / Semester: Autumn / No. of Students: 120
Module Pass Rate (1st attempt): 87% / Module Pass Rate (after referral): 99%
Subject External Examiner and Institution:Professor Susan Bloggs – University of Wells
Linked Programmes with Codes: 2345 BSc. (Hons) Gastronomy; 3678 BSc (Hons) Leisure Food Studies
Brief Module Overview:
GA2222 is a 20 credit, Level 5 module, which aims to explore gastronomy in the modern world and how lived experience connects to leisure dining in the 21st century.
Module Staff:
Julian Goodfellow,Sandra Doe, Rita Delorio.
Changes Since Last Delivery:
Dr Peter Brown has retired and been replaced with Rita Delorio.
New seminar on “Food on the internet” introduced.
More detailed assessment briefings introduced as result of External Examiner comments.
Formative and Summative Assessment Details:
Formative Assessment:A formative 1,000 word essay in week one of the module, with feedback returned by week five.
Summative Assessment:Essaytitled “Gastronomy in 21st Century Britain” (50%) and an Examination withshort answers and essay questions(50%).
Assessment Review and Metrics:
This year 78% of students achieved a pass for the summative essay, with a maximum mark of 90% and a minimum of 25%, and a mean of 50%. There were 2 students with extenuating circumstances at the first attempt. No alternative assessments were needed. Students generally performed well in the essay, although answers were often weakly supported by the literature and some students submitted poorly structured essays. Students referred in this assessment were required to resubmit an essay on the same general topic area but with a different title
85% of students achieved a pass in the examination, with a maximum mark of 78%, a minimum mark of 12% and a mean of 48%. There were 6 students with modified assessment provision, another 2 with extenuating circumstances and 3 students had an alternative assessment in the form of 3 essays to be completed within the assessment (fortnight) period. Several exam questions were answered poorly, particularly those focused on shared characteristics of religious experience. It was clear that the supplementary learning materials on the DLE for this part of the module had not been utilised fully. Students referred in this assessment were required to re-sit an examination.
Assessment Feedback and Timing:
Marks and Feedback returned within 20 days? Yes
Verbal feedback was given in class and online for the formative essay.
Completed feedback forms were returnedwith graded summative essays.
Feedback on the Examination was given in the form of written comments on scripts and a summary (generic) feedback statement was provided by email to the cohort.
Module Feedback Received:
External Examiner Comments:
The External Examiner wassatisfied with the module but was concerned with the poor performance of students in some topic areas, acknowledging this content was covered during lectures and via supplementary learning resources. The EE also commented on the consistency (variability) of written feedback on examination answers.
Student Feedback:
Student feedback was obtained via verbal comments to staff throughout the module as well as via the module evaluation questionnaire. Students raised concerns about the learning resources highlighted on the Talis reading list, as well as a lack of clarity in assessment briefings.
Response to External Examiner Comments:
The module leader’s response stated that more time would be found in the next year to brief students on the nature and content of the examination paper in advance, as well as making more effort to improve the quality of written feedback on exam scripts.
Response to Student Feedback:
Students will receive an extended Talis reading list in future and an exemplar of content and structure of assessments will be added to the assessment briefings.
Areas of Good Practice:
Moodle Chat session for formative essay feedback.
Areas for Enhancement Before Next Iteration:
Improve assessment briefings
Improve feedback practices amongst staff
Actions for Next Academic Year:
1. Library resources audit – J Goodfellow, to be completed by Sept 2018
2. Ensure compliance with new University assessment policy- J Goodfellow and module teachers by Christmas 2018.
3. Explore new technologies for peer learning via the DLE – Module team by Sept 2018
4. Comply with School principles for feedback arising out of Peer Review – Module Team ongoing

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