A trial of the TurnitIn GradeMark system in a mixed information economy.

1. Although GradeMark seems cumbersome at first sight, it is well integrated with the TurnitIn electronic submission system already in use across the School and in my experience rapidly becomes easy to use for markers. 2. Processing of paper-based feedback forms used to deliver marks to students and personal tutors introduces additional staff workload which more than doubles the processing time per item of work. This alone makes use of the GradeMark system unsustainable for modules with large numbers of students. In addition, the delays the current paper-based system imposes on return of marks are problematic in making feedback remote from the submission of assessments. 3. Survey data shows that delivery of feedback via GradeMark is well received by students. 4. Adoption of a wholly electronic feedback system across the School of Biological Sciences has considerable potential to improve student attitudes towards feedback