Open response assessments

Prefer coursekit for new content

Native the Learning Hub problem editing is documented here for reference and for working with legacy items. For new content, use coursekit — added via Add Component → Advanced → coursekit in Studio.

Open Response Assessment (ORA) lets learners submit free text (and optionally a file). Grading is rubric-based — by a peer, by an instructor, or both. This is the heaviest tool in the box; use it deliberately.

Three grading workflows

Workflow	How it works	Right for
Self-assessment	Learner grades their own work against the rubric	Reflective writing
Peer assessment	Other learners grade anonymously	Cohort programmes with critical mass
Staff grading	Course staff grade in the LMS	Anything that affects CPD certification

For most Liverpool Dental CPD modules, self-assessment is the right default — peer grading needs more enrolled-at-once learners than self-paced CPD typically has.

Designing a good rubric

Three to five criteria, each with three to five levels (e.g. Not yet — Developing — Proficient). Write level descriptors that name observable behaviours, not vague quality words.

Bad: Excellent answer Good: Identifies at least three differential diagnoses and justifies each with reference to clinical findings

Configuration tips

• Word count — set a minimum to discourage one-line answers, but no maximum.
• File upload — allow PDFs for case write-ups; allow images for radiograph annotation submissions.
• Submission deadline — use a wide window for self-paced courses (months, not days).

Caveats

• Peer assessment requires a quorum (default 3 peers). It can stall in low-enrolment courses.
• Self-assessment is honest but not auditable for certification — consider pairing with a graded MCQ for the CPD-hours-claim record.