Assessment in Online Courses: Practical Examples

Ms. Darla RunyonDr. Roger Von Holzen

Northwest Missouri State University

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Heard in the Halls“If we are to be required to assess educational quality and learning by virtue of how long a student sits in a seat…

we have focused on the wrong end of the student.”Laura Palmer Noone

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Heard in the Halls“How do you do online exams?” Question based on notion that online

assessment must follow assessment methods used on campus Not necessarily true

In an online environment Major change to the role of the instructor

Shift from the deliverer of content to student mentor

Function of assessment techniques must also change*

Online Assessment

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An Interactive Mentoring Opportunity

Need to view assessment as a teaching tool and not as an evaluation mechanismUse quizzes and tests as interactive mentoring opportunities Enable students to evaluate their own

progress through the course materials*

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Beyond the RhetoricQuizzes and tests should be viewed as means of promoting learning Open book and extensive testing time

Should be only a small component of the overall assessment strategy for the online course*

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Beyond the RhetoricEvolution from seat-time/credit hours to outcomes-based education as a measure of learning Acknowledging present reality

What matters is whether the student has actually learnedOften difficult to get faculty to change

It can be like herding cats…*

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The New Role of Assessment

Assessment techniques should be based on desired learning outcomesProvides the instructor with: evidence of effectiveness of course

materials indications of content areas that need

further enhancement and/or development*

Assessment Strategies

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Assessment StrategyCumulative processAids in forming student assessment profiles snapshot of student understanding

Profile constructed by: building learning outcomes based on

critical course content use of applicable assessment methods to

determine student’s understanding of learning outcomes*

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Assessment StrategyProvides guidance to further develop conceptual frameworkContinuous process (formative)

Tegrity Quiz

Should guide the student to mastery of the learning outcomesAssessment strategy becomes foundation for developing the instructional design of the online course*

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Learning OutcomesDetermine critical course content Discern what the students should know

or accomplish based on the critical content What must the student know in order to

function in authentic situations? Decide what evidence is acceptable as

proof of knowledge or accomplishment of the learning outcome Selected student performance must furnish

the method of assessment of critical content*

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Communication of Learning Outcomes

Include in syllabusList in course introductory moduleList for each individual module or unitConvey in related activities and assignments*

Modular Learning Objective

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Assessment Strategy Steps1. Integrate new assessment

techniques and develop an overall assessment strategy

2.Administer pre-assessment Provides guidance in the

development of appropriate learning activities*

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Assessment Strategy Steps3. Present critical concepts through

interactive, instructional concept activities

Design a learning cycle process which should include

content and concept deliveryconcept applicationperformance feedbackopportunities for relearning*

Learning Cycle

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Assessment Strategy Steps

Develop the learning cycle by incorporating appropriate instructional technology techniques and tools*

Chemistry Feedback

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Assessment Strategy Steps4.Punctuate course with short

assessment opportunities Provide student with performance feedback on learning concepts and activities

Provide a diverse array of assessment methods to reflect student understanding of the learning outcomes

Provide opportunities for relearning and reassessment*

Medical Terminology

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Assessment Strategy Steps5.Develop a post-assessment

(summative) Provides evaluation of the overall student performance

Indicates ultimate mastery of critical content and ability to incorporate content into appropriate situations*

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Online AssessmentTraditional methods should only be a small component of the overall assessment strategy Learning outcomes should be assessed using applicable assessment techniquesOnline delivery provides an environment conducive to incorporating a diverse array of assessment techniques strategies that may be employed across a

variety of course subject areas*

Music Art

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Online AssessmentFlexibility of delivery allows for a more student-centered approach to assessment and feedback*

Chat AssessmentHistory

Academic Dishonesty

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Course Design and Development

Faculty need to discuss and develop new perspectives on assessmentGood course design will inhibit academic dishonestyIssues pertaining to academic dishonesty and conduct in an online course should be examined and communicated*

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Academic PoliciesAcademic dishonesty and honor code policies should be clearly stated early in the course Include in the course syllabus

Incorporate a student agreement*

Student Agreement

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Dealing with PlagiarismA paper or project development process should be followed Paper or Project Prospectus

A brief, structured first-draft plan for a term paper or term project

Submission of rough drafts

Communicate with students to learn their writing style*

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Proctored ExamsSome situations may require on-site examinationsExpenses and effort involved must be considered*

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Assessment in Online Courses

Even with all of this support and planningat times you feel like you’re building on a wing and a prayer…

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Our final words of wisdom:

Think outside the classroom©

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Dr. Roger Von Holzen, DirectorCenter for Information Technology in Educationrvh@mail.nwmissouri.edu

Ms. Darla RunyonAssistant Director/Curriculum Design SpecialistCenter for Information Technology in Educationdrunyon@mail.nwmissouri.edu

http://cite.nwmissouri.edu/presentations