eAssessment Project
eAssessment project has transitioned to Business as Usual (BAU). This follows a staged pilot and rollout of Inspera Assessment at UQ.
The initial aim of the eAssessment project was to identify digital assessment options that facilitate improved assessment practices and address existing administrative issues.
A key component of this assessment transformation process was the selection and deployment of a centrally-supported online assessment solution, available to all schools and faculties as required, that aligned with the majority of student and staff requirements and integrates seamlessly into the existing information technology infrastructure of the University.
Following extensive market research and procurement activities, Inspera Assessment was selected as the preferred assessment solution in 2019. After successful pilot and rollout semesters since 2020, Inspera Assessment is being operationalised across UQ.
Transition plan Abridged transition plan Embedded Support document
The project was completed in 2023.
Key project milestones
The eAssessment project commenced in February 2018. Since that time, extensive engagement activities have been conducted with every school and faculty across the University. Key UQ community stakeholders including students, space management, Central Examinations and Information Technology Services have also provided feedback to the eAssessment project team. In excess of 300 functional and non-functional requirements were identified as a result of these consultations which were outlined in the Business Requirements Specifications document.
Comprehensive market research and expression of interest processes helped to identify and assess 46 possible solutions. Four solutions were shortlisted as the most likely to meet the needs of the University. The eAssessment Steering Committee endorsed their direct invitations to a Limited Invitation to Offer (ITO) tender.
As part of the Invitation to Offer, the project invited the UQ community to participate in a range of engagement activities, where they provided invaluable feedback on the four shortlisted solutions. Based on the staff and student community feedback, supplier responses, and solution tested – Inspera Assessment was selected as UQ’s university-wide digital assessment platform. An initial Inspera Assessment pilot was undertaken in Semester 2 2020, and an extended pilot in Semester 1 2021. A school-based gradual rollout followed from Semester 2 2021
Stage 1 (Jul–Sep 2019): Internal engagement/consultation, market research and procurement
- Initial UQ community engagement and consultation (Jul–Aug 2018)
- Development of Business Requirements Specifications document (Aug–Sep 2018)
- Continued UQ community engagement meetings (Sep–Oct 2018)
- Market scan (Sep–Dec 2018)
- Formal solution demonstrations (Dec 2018–Jan 2019)
- Market evaluation report developed (Jan–Feb 2019)
- Recommendations and endorsement of solutions to Invitation to Offer (ITO) (Feb–Mar 2019)
- Invitation to Offer open (Jun–Jul 2019)
- Invitation to Offer solution testing (Jul–Sep 2019)
- Invitation to Offer UQ community consultation (Aug–Sep 2019).
Stage 2 (Jul 2020–Jun 2021): Initial and extended pilot semesters
Stage 2 (Jul 2020–Jun 2021): Initial and extended pilot semesters
- Initial Pilot (Jul–Dec 2020)
- Extended Pilot (Jan–Jun 2021)
- Piloting on-campus invigilated high stakes exams with Inspera Assessment, including InsperaScan (bulk upload of paper-based questions in hybrid digital/paper exams)
- Transitioning Tier 1 student support to the UQ Library AskUs team
- Developing a support model that offers course coordinators comprehensive assessment redesign support while also enabling them to become largely self-sufficient to use Inspera.
Stage 3 (Jul 2021–Jul 2022): Gradual roll-out
- School-based rollout (Jul–Dec 2021)
- Inspera Pilot Evaluation Report (November 2021)
- TLC endorsed recommendations from Inspera Pilot Evaluation Report (May 2022)
- UQ Library AskUs Tech Trainer team provided to deliver familiarisation workshops and Safe Exam Browser preparation sessions for students
- UQ Library AskUs support services provided to support students
- eLearning team engaged to provide technological support for staff.
Stage 4 (Jul 2022–Dec 2023): Operationalisation of Inspera
- Piloting Inspera Exam Portal for off-campus supervised exams (“record and review”) (Jan–Dec 2022)
- Establishment of staffing model (including recruitment and training) to provide in-room technological support to students for on-campus exams (July 2022 – current)
- Transitioning Inspera to an operationalised model. (July 2022 - Dec 2023)
- eAssessment Team renamed 'Digital Assessment Team' to reflect ongoing focus on assessment design beyond the eAssessment Project (2023-2024).
Staff and student engagement
Staff engagement
Staff engaged in all milestones of the eAssessment project, including the iterative process of requirements gathering, participating in activities and providing invaluable feedback during the procurement, pilot and roll-out phases. Staff continued to be involved by providing valuable advice to the project through various governance avenues.
Student engagement
Student engagement
Students were an integral part of the eAssessment project and formed the largest Inspera Assessment user group. Student representatives contributed to the eAssessment project by providing a voice to the student body’s concerns in Working Group proceedings. Student Partners also worked within the eAssessment team co-creating student support resources and seeking student feedback (e.g. surveys, focus groups), so the needs of students informed the project. During the Invitation to Offer the Student Partners organised an event that gave students the opportunity to explore and provide feedback on the potential online digital assessment solution, see more in this video.
Student Partners were also instrumental in creating a demonstration test and video to introduce students participating in the Inspera pilot to the platform.
Project team and governance
- Manager, Digital Assessment: Sam McKenzie (2018-2021), Jacqueline Lynagh (2021-2023)
- Learning Designers: Jacqueline Lynagh (2019-2021), Shari Bowker (2019-2021), Dale Hansen (2021-2023), Jenny James (2021-2022), Tim Scholl (2021-2022), Jacinta Lisec (2022-2023), Tanya Henry (2022-2023), Dr. Luke Zaphir (2023), Jess Cockerill (2022)
- Senior Project Officers: Rachel Scott (2019-2021), Elli Hamlyn (2021-2022), Kylie Tindale (2022), Sass Smith (2022-2023)
- Project Officers: Hannah Marrinan (2018-2019), Kylie Tindale (2021-2022), Michelle Hsu (2022)
- Project Coordinator: S. M. Qasim Ahsan (2023)
- eAssessment Advisor: Jeremy Aitkin (2020)
- Senior Business Analysts: Ranvir Parmar (2018-2021)
- Student Parters: Daniel Chancellor, Rhiannon Newton, Alexander Milne, Olivia Hamilton, Alice Wright
- Learning Design Manager: Dom McGrath (2018-2023)
The eAssessment project was governed by stakeholders from across the University. The responsibilities and membership of each group are as follows.
Inspera Assessment
Inspera Assessment is now available across UQ (after an expression of interest process). We encourage you to explore this new platform and decide whether it would suit your assessment needs.