Conducting assessments as a teacher in any
setting can be a challenge as well as the assessment process being time
consuming. Much of the data I have found
points to that truth carrying over into the online classroom as well. Although the implementation of technology in
education can be a challenge, never before have teachers had so many opportunities
at their finger tips. They are free to
use a wide variety of assessments, and the students are able to meet the requirements
at varied times. Teachers are able to
easily compile results and manage data with a few clicks of the button. While there are several benefits to online
assessment, there are barriers facilitators must overcome. As students step away from a regular
classroom to pursue education in a distance environment, educational
institutions are faced with a new issue in assessment: How to assess students
who cannot be observed. As a teacher in
an early elementary grade, I understand how important being able to observe the
students is to making sure students understand what is required of them. In a distance education setting teacher’s assessments
must rely on what the students turn in to the teacher or write, in most cases
the teacher cannot simply observe the students for a particular trait. Because of this, most assessments are
formative in nature. Instructors can
use assorted forms of formative assessments, and they seem to be quite
effective but it does not always allow students to get the amount of feedback
necessary for learning to take place. As
a student in an online environment, I find that my level of retention is lower
in my online classes than when I took face to face classes. Another challenge was mentioned in the article
by Beebe, Vonderwell, and Boboc and suggests that a hurdle online instructor’s must
overcome is the lack of research on the best assessment practices for online learning.
(Beebe, 2010). Because assessments up to
date have been for a regular education setting, the focus has not been placed
on online assessment. I believe that it
is important for students to be assessed on what they have learned, as well as
how well they can apply their knowledge in new situations. This requires more than simply recalling the
information. To sum it all up: I believe that online assessments are
effective, but there is room for improvement as awareness of new research and technology
improves in the future.
References
Beebe, R., Vonderwell,
S., & Boboc, M. (2010). Emerging patterns in transferring assessment practices
from f2f to online environments. Electronic Journal of E-Learning, 8(1),
1-12.
Boyles, P. C. (2011).
Maximizing learning using online student assessment. Online Journal of
Distance Learning Administration, 14(3), 1-7.
McCracken, J., Cho, S.,
Sharif, A., Wilson, B., & Miller, J. (2012). Principled assessment strategy
design for online courses and programs. Electronic Journal of E-Learning,
10(1), 107-119.
Hi Megan,
ReplyDeleteYou have a really interesting post here. Why do you think your level of retention is lower in online courses? I am really interested in your ideas!
I believe that I have a very mixed modality learning style. I think I learn best when I not only see something, but hear it too. When I can interact with professors while they are giving a lecture and I can physically see them I find it easier to pay attention and get what I need from the presentation. I find it very hard to focus on the presentations posted for online education courses. I get very distracted by my surroundings, but when I am in a classroom taking notes it is easier.
DeleteI agree that it is very important to be able to assess the students through observation as well especially at these early ages. We have gotten to the point that we are relying on the technology to the point that we can often take away from the learning process. Online learning is an idea that can change education for the better but only if done correctly. I think that if we go to a strictly online curriculum without it being performed properly we will not be doing any of our students any benefit. I think once we take out social interaction and personal relationships we take a big part of the learning process.
ReplyDeleteHi Megan
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons why on-line assessment is being adopted by many universities. Many academics are seeking to diversify assessment tasks, broaden the range of skills assessed and provide students with more timely and informative feedback on their progress. Others are wishing to meet student expectations for more flexible delivery and to generate efficiencies in assessment that can ease academic staff workloads. Technology is making a lead way in support teacher in ability to advance in using assessment in online learning. All staff involved in such initiatives is discovering they face a large number of technical and educational decisions. The move to on-line and computer based assessment is a natural outcome of the increasing use of information and communication technologies to enhance learning. As more students seek flexibility in their courses, it seems inevitable there will be growing expectations for flexible assessment as well.
Megan,
ReplyDeleteI think that you made some very valuable points that I agree with. Currently, my department chooses not to offer any 100% online courses for the simple fact that we MUST observe our students. In EMS, there are a number of skills and tasks that must be perfected before entering the field. Today, we have little choice but to observe and critique those practices face to face. In the future, as technology improves and becomes more available to our students, I would like to be able to offer a truly online course. Unfortunately, we are not at that point yet. Today, the most effective and efficient way to assess our students’ skills both formative and summative is face to face in the classroom or lab.
Also, I agree that we still need a significant amount of research on distance learning as a whole and more specifically assessments in order to define best practices. Unfortunately, this too will take time. I am confident that as educators we are moving in the right direction in both our online and face to face classrooms. However, as you noted, there is always room for improvement.