Assessing Online Learning Experiences

Opportunities and Considerations

The term assessment is often used in education in a variety of different ways. Most commonly, assessment is thought of as a tool that an instructor uses to evaluate, measure, and document a students’ progression along a learning trajectory. In other words, assessments provide information on the progress of the student towards a learning objective. While measuring and detailing student progress is an important function of assessments, equally as important is the fact that assessments provide valuable information on how to improve “next time”.

Perhaps most importantly, assessments provide feedback that both students and instructors can use to elevate the learning experience.  In online and blended learning contexts – where direct encounters between students and the instructor occur less consistently – feedback from assessment is the main conduit of communication between teacher and learner.

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Types of Assessment

Assessment for learning (diagnostic assessment)

Assessment as learning (formative assessment)

Assessment of learning (summative assessment)

Assessment strategy for online success

“This sounds great, but my class is too big for this level of assessment”

D2L Tools for Assessment

Academic Integrity

Student Media Projects

 

References:

Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning for teachers: Maximizing impact on learning. NY and London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group.

Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. M. (2016). The online teaching survival guide: Simple and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.

McTighe, J., Doubet, K., & Carbaugh, E. M. (2020). Designing Authentic Performance Tasks and Projects: Tools for Meaningful Learning and Assessment. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.