On-line CAA was introduced for three large classes in 1996/97. It is designed to improve feedback to students, and to reduce the marking loads of staff. This initiative is part of a wider project based in the Department of Geography, with the following aims:

• development of guidelines and training materials to aid staff, in different disciplines, in setting and implementing formative and summative objective tests in their courses, using Question Mark Designer for Windows.
• development of questions for question banks and implementation of objective tests for formative self-assessment tests and summative examinations in three Geography modules (two first year and one second year).
• to use the experience of changing assessment methods in Geography, which is one of the biggest departments in the University in terms of student numbers, as a pilot scheme to test the possibilities of implementing CAA examinations at Aberdeen, using the existing computer facilities and involving large numbers of students. This represents a major initiative and a serious test of the logistics of CAA.

The 2nd Year module was assessed by a combination of written exam and practical projects. This has changed to a CAA examination of 45 minutes. Continuous assessment consists of a prepared essay written in class and 11 practicals, 3 of which are marked, of the remaining 8 duly performed, half have a CAA element.

Project Outcomes will be a Self-teaching Tutorial - Setting Effective Objective Tests and a Protocol - Implementation of summative CAA examinations.

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