Frequently Asked Questions

eModeration is a suite of applications developed by CCEA to modernise the collection of controlled assessment/coursework marks and in some subjects online submission of samples for moderation.

eModeration has been introduced to modernise the process of providing controlled assessment/coursework marks and samples for moderation to CCEA.

eModeration:

• removes the need to complete the following paperwork as the information is provided online:
  • individual hardcopy candidate record sheets
  • TAC1 OMRs
  • TAC2 Internal Standardisation form
• reduces the risk of totalling errors within Candidate Record Sheets as the marks are totalled automatically via the online system;
• provides quicker access to information and reduces the number of queries for Exams Officers to deal with;
• includes validation and provides a report of any outstanding actions;
• provides the facility for some subjects to submit samples online for moderation.

eModeration includes both mandatory and optional subjects.

Mandatory
The appropriate eModeration applications are mandatory for the following subjects:

• GCSE Engineering
• GCSE Gaeilge
• GCSE ICT
• GCSE Languages (speaking tests)
• GCSE Learning for Life and Work
• GCE/GCSE Moving Image Arts
• GCSE Technology and Design

Optional
A number of centres had opted to be involved in the eModeration pilot, using the eCandidate Record Sheet application, over the past few years. Only the centres already involved in the pilot will continue to use the eCandidate Record Sheet application until its mandatory roll-out across all subjects/centres. The optional subjects include:

• GCSE Business Studies
• GCSE Child Development
• GCSE Geography
• GCSE History
• GCSE Home Economics
• GCSE Journalism
• GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies

CCEA has been running the eModeration pilot since 2006. The roll-out of eModeration across subjects will be a phased approach and will eventually be mandatory for all.

CCEA intends to roll out eModeration as mandatory for all subjects. As part of the phased approach only those centres that opted to participate in summer 2010 and 2011 will continue to use the eModeration applications until the roll-out across all subjects.

CCEA wants to be absolutely sure that the eModeration applications are meeting the needs of all users. The roll-out plan for eModeration across all subjects is currently in development and will be communicated to centres as soon as the final plan is available.

The Exams Officer in your centre has the facility via the centralised login to register you for the eCandidate Record Sheet for mandatory units. Once you are registered you will receive a username and password via email from EO Admin.

Yes. The Exams Officer can re-set users passwords by:

1. Logging into Central Login.
2. Clicking 'User Management' tab.
3. Clicking 'Edit User' (beside name of user)
4. Selecting 'Reset Password' at the bottom of the screen.

Multiple teachers or an individual teacher can be registered for a specific unit to complete the eCRS.

No. When multiple teachers are registered for the same unit, one of the teachers must be identified as the 'lead teacher'. The 'lead teacher' will have additional facilities to make the final submission of marks.

Once you have agreed within your department who will be registered as the 'lead teacher' / 'teacher' you can get registered.

Contact the Exams Officer in your centre. The Exams Officer can register you via the CCEA Central Login application. Once registered, you will receive an email with your login details.

Use the 'Login Here' button on the eModeration microsite. Enter your login details and select the eCandidate Record Sheet application.

No. There is a facility to upload a pre-entry list of candidates, so you can begin recording marks for assignments as soon as they are available during the course. Marks must be recorded in the series you intend submitting work for moderation. Completing the process can only take place after the actual entries have been made with CCEA by the Exams Officer.

Your internet setting may need updated. Try the following:

• Open Internet Explorer
• Go to Tools > Internet Options
• Click on the 'Advanced Tab'
• Scroll down to 'Security'
• De-select 'Do not save encrypted pages to disk' (this should be set to off in the default Internet Explorer setting)
• Click 'OK'
• Try and Download again

Completing the comments box on the eCandidate Record Sheets varies from subject to subject.

Comments are compulsory for:

• GCE Moving Image Arts (AS & A2)
• GCSE Moving Image Arts (Units 1 & 2)
• GCSE Home Economics (Unit 2 - Practical)
• GCSE Engineering (Unit 1)
• GCSE Learning for Life and Work (Units 1 and 2)
• GCSE Technology and Design (Unit 4)

Comments are not required for:

• GCSE Languages speaking tests.

Optional:

• The provision of comments for all other subjects using eCandidate Record Sheets is optional, ie comments are only required when the teacher feels a communication to the moderator is necessary to explain why the mark has been awarded.

The teacher code is a short unique reference to identify each teacher who has marked the controlled assessment (eg teacher's initials).

Teacher codes are used to link candidates with the teacher who marked the controlled assessment. This information will also be used when confirming Internal Standardisation has been carried out.

All registered users for the unit have access to 'manage teacher codes'. The 'teacher' or the 'lead teacher' can set up all the codes or they can be set up individually by each teacher.

If your teacher code has already been set up you can view this in the 'manage teacher codes'. If your teacher code has not been set up you can add your name and a short unique reference (eg your initials) in the 'manage teacher codes'.

Yes. Marks can be changed as necessary up until the closing date for the submission of marks.

The deadline for completing the full process is 5.00 pm on 1 May. The process can be completed and submitted by the 'lead teacher' before this date.

The candidate details will appear on your eCRS screen providing the JCQ consortium arrangements form has been submitted to CCEA by 31 January and the candidate has been entered by the Exams Officer from the candidate's own centre.

Only the registered 'lead teacher' can make the final submission, which will include confirming Internal Standardisation and Authentication has been completed. The 'lead teacher' will have additional tabs available to complete the process.

If the candidate is:

• still entered with CCEA but has not provided work for assessment: Record the candidate as 'Absent'.
• no longer entered with CCEA and their details are still on the eCRS screen: If work has been provided, check with the Exams Officer why the entry has been removed, and either delete the candidate details from the eCRS screen or if appropriate, arrange for the candidate to be re-entered.
• not entered with CCEA but has provided work for assessment: Arrange with the Exams Officer to enter the candidate. When the entry is on CCEA's system the eCRS screen will be updated the following day or you can update the screen on the same day by clicking 'Import entries from CCEA'.

Lead teachers will receive a printable on-screen message and an email confirming successful submission.

There are minor changes for the submission of samples for subjects using eCRS only. These are:

• Do not send (hardcopy/printed) Candidate Record Sheets with samples.
• Do label each sample provided for moderation with:
  • centre number;
  • candidate number;
  • total mark; and
  • place samples in rank order

For GCSE Languages and GCSE Gaeilge speaking tests the samples are submitted using the ePortfolio application.

ePortfolio is an online application used to upload samples to CCEA for moderation. Currently ePortfolio is only available for GCSE Languages and GCSE Gaeilge speaking tests.

Only 'Lead teachers' registered for GCSE Languages and GCSE Gaeilge will have access to the ePortfolio application.

Yes. The maximum file size that can be uploaded on the ePortfolio application is 10MB.

When preparing to record your students you should set your recorder to the lowest recording setting that gives you the clarity needed to clearly hear and understand what your student is saying. The reduction in recording levels will help the recording stay within the recorded file-size limits permitted by CCEA, which is 10MB.

To ensure your MP3 recording is below 10MB and can be uploaded onto the ePortfolio application you should carry out some test recordings. Before testing you should have reduced the recording level of your MP3 recorder to the lowest practicable level (see your MP3 recorder handbook for advice on reducing recording levels).

Start your recording and let it run for approximately 6 minutes (the longest any CA recording should reach)

Stop the recording

Name and save the recording

Open the folder in which the file is saved

Using your (computer) mouse, right-click the recording and scroll to the ‘Properties’ tab

The size of the file will be given

If the file size is above 10MB you will need to reduce your recording levels on your MP3 (see your MP3 recorder handbook for advice on reducing recording levels).

No. Only a sample of the recordings will be required for moderation. The ePortfolio application will identify the candidates in the sample. You will also have to identify and upload the recordings of the candidates with the top mark and the bottom mark for the recorded task.

Lead teachers will receive a printable on-screen message and an email confirming successful submission.