Assessment in first-year ICT education in Australia: research and practice

This paper presents an investigation of assessment in first-year Information and Communications Technology (ICT) courses with a focus on Australian universities. This study was part of a project that aimed to identify and disseminate good practices in first-year ICT teaching in Australian universities. Through a systematic review of the last five years of research literature and interviewing 30 academics who were involved in the design and delivery of the first-year learning experience in Australian universities, we have formed a comprehensive view of current assessment practices, and outlined the unique challenges faced by teachers when designing assessment for their first-year ICT students. Key findings of the literature survey and the insights gained from the academic participants have been collated to provide examples of good practice in the field and to recommend areas for further investigation.