Online learning assessment methods have been researched and studied as a result of online learning becoming much more prevalent. Instructors of online courses share their concerns about online learning assessment as follows: time management, student responsibility, structure of the online course, content complexity and informal assessment. Through all five methods of online assessment mentioned in this article (written assessment, online discussion, fieldwork, test/quiz/exam and presentation) there are challenges presented. These challenges include: the literal distance between the student and the instructor, adapting to using technology to communicate with students and the workload for students as well as their time management. Through conducting studies, they have also found that assessment data and feedback are crucial in successful online assessment. Students need to hear feedback from the instructors on their assessments and instructors need evidence of the students learning.
Once the challenges of online learning assessment are identified, effective practices can be put in place. Since the students are not face-to-face (F2F) with their instructors, large complex assignments online became very difficult. A solution to this is breaking large assignments down into small manageable steps. This allows the instructor to see the student learn over time and assess along the way as well as provides the students an opportunity to hear feedback as they progress through their assignment. An additional effective practice to ease this challenge is creating mini-tutorials for students to guide them through the assignment and/or navigate the online course. There are many other effective practices including: rubrics self-check quizzes, ungraded quizzes, using synchronous technologies to interact with students on an as-needed basis, commenting on student assignments for feedback, peer assessment and using student moderators to read through student discussion boards.
As an educator, if I were teaching an online course, I would employ the use of mini-tutorials, rubrics, virtual meetings, and comment feedback. I think many of these effective practices listed above are very helpful, but these are most important to me. Sharing grading rubrics with students is extremely helpful in communicating what your learning objectives and goals are for them and what the expected workload is through the semester. Rubrics also make grading simple and more straight forward. I would also post videos on my course page to help the student get to know me and also to talk them through each assignment, especially the complex ones. I would try to host weekly zoom meetings to ensure that the class is all on the same page and understands their task as well as provide as much feedback on their assignments as I can.
Kearns, Lorna. "Student Assessment in Online Learning: Challenges and Effective Practices."Merlot Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2012
Hi Linnea, I completely agree with you that rubrics can be beneficial to students. I think it is important to provide multiple options for students when learning online. This can allow you as the instructor to reach a wider range of students. Everyone learns differently and when online forums are so limited, it is important for the instructor to incorporate various types of assessments.
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