Improving student performance in interdisciplinary law unit assessment by providing annotated exemplars

This article reports the findings of a study into the effect on student performance, of the provision of annotated exemplars to students in an interdisciplinary law unit. The authors conclude that for the cohorts studied, there appears to be a positive correlation between the provision of annotated exemplars and improved student performance, as measured by an increase in the grade levels awarded. This result was repeated over two cohorts in separate semesters. The article discusses similar research conducted into the use of exemplars, and explores how some benefits and drawbacks of using exemplars asserted in relevant literature, relate to this study. Scope for further research is suggested, as are possible means to add value for students to the use of exemplars in assessment practice generally, as well as in the specific interdisciplinary law unit the subject of the study. This research is the second part of a long term project, the first part of which explored student perceptions on the value of providing annotated exemplars.