Transcript:
Hello everyone.
With the growth of distance learning, not
only has there been a shift in the style of instruction, but a necessary change
in the design of assessment has developed as well. In the past, with most instructional theory based
on a behaviorist model, assessment was focused on the retention of information
that was presented by the instructor or what Freire called the banking model
(Reeves, 2000; Perera-Diltz & Moe,
2014). This traditional form of
assessment is increasingly being challenged in favor of alternative approaches
that Reeves broadly described in 2000 as cognitive assessment, performance
assessment, and portfolio assessment.
This shift has become increasingly important
over time because online education is more than simply transferring the
material from brick and motor classroom lessons to an online setting. In a distance learning setting, assessment of
student learning must be designed with the consideration of the interactivity
of learners and the asynchronous nature of the environment (Perera-Diltz &
Moe, 2014). With this in mind,
Perera-Diltz and Moe (2014) discuss how formative assessments can be designed
utilizing peer assessment, co-assessment, self-assessment and feedback from the
instructor using the application of rubrics in discussion boards, journals,
netfolios, wikis, and concept maps.
Similarly, summative assessments can be best designed to fit the online
environment using case studies, journals, blogs, wikis, and open-book exams
(Reeves, 2000; Perera-Diltz & Moe, 2014).
Using assessment designs such as these fits well with the need to keep
learners in control, use more than formal, graded tests and help them build
portfolios in a social learning environment (Horton, 2012).
As technology advances, it will continue
to be increasingly important to ensure that all course materials and assessments
are accessible on mobile devices as well.
As Horton (2012) details, it is important to design for the learner,
environment and device. Designing
curriculum and assessment with these considerations and the social nature of
distance learning in mind is well aligned with the constructivist framework and
the principle that students will learn best when interacting and collaborating
with others.
References:
Horton,
W. (2012). E-Learning by design (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
Perera-Diltz,
D. M., & Moe, J. L. (2014). Formative and Summative Assessment in
Online Education. Journal Of
Research In Innovative Teaching, 7(1), 130-142.
Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/detail/
detail?vid=6&sid=6672187d-376c-483a-a0c8-31c635a472d2%40sessionmgr
104&hid=115&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN
=95848489&db=ehh
Reeves,
T. C. (2000). Alternative Assessment Approaches for Online Learning
Environments in Higher Education. Journal
Of Educational Computing
Research, 23(1), 101-11. Retrieved
from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.
ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=eaaa9070-84ad-46a4-
b5ef-d20e2c718fd5%40sessionmgr104&hid=115&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZW
hvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=EJ618513&db=eric
Hi, Roger,
ReplyDeleteYour point about traditional assessments testing retention of information is well received. In the secondary school, there is just so much the students do not know! Teachers often feel the need to dump information on them for that reason. What we have all learned through our mobile devices is that information is always readily available, provided we have wifi or a cellular connection. So, it becomes more important to know what students can actually DO with that information. That perspective has helped me greatly in considering authentic means of assessment for my students. Thank you.
This is certainly true Katy. In the world today, there is seemingly unlimited information readily available. It is increasingly important to teach students how determine if information is valid and if sources are quality. By doing this, they will learn to utilize this information effectively without being overwhelmed by the sheer volume.
DeleteI am thankful for the online learning environment. I often become shy around new people and will refrain from participating in discussions if I can. This is something I have struggled with for a while and it has negatively affected my learning experiences. Thankfully, the online learning environment enables me to participate in discussions without allowing my social angst to get in the way. This is a benefit of online learning which many find comforting. By continuing to produce more mobile learning environments, more people will be encouraged to construct their own understanding of new information.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point Leslie. In the online environment, many students are more comfortable interacting through a digital persona. This is often due to social anxiety, but can also be due to discomfort due things such as being English language learners. In many ways, the online environment can help eliminate barriers to communication.
DeleteHello Roger,
ReplyDeleteA topic that is likely to come up when creating or transitioning to an online learning format, is how to ensure that the students in online classes are actually learning, if you can’t see them. In your post this week you included several examples of different ways we evaluate and assess our distance learning students. In an online learning environment, students have 24/7 access to their course material. This gives us the option of more frequent assessments and formative evaluations. This allows for early and on-going indicators of how well our students are learning. I think that a great assessment strategy is one that includes more frequent assessments in a variety of formats, such as the ones you listed, which will allow us as teachers to get a better and more realistic view of how well our students are progressing through and learning the course material.
- Victoria
I think you are correct that more frequent and varied assessments will allow teachers a better view of their students' progress Victoria. This will also require that that teachers create an ongoing dialogue with students, resulting in more personal interaction overall. The end result could be a more personal interaction and individualized instruction.
DeleteRoger, your blog resonated with me because I went through K-12 with almost no projects, except for papers (this includes my undergraduate work). Liberty has been wonderful because of the design of the courses, and I’ve been doing very well. I feel more in control of my assessments, as Horton suggests (2012). Constructivism is the learning theory I prefer as well, and collaboration is one of the keys. I like Horton’s statement, “I am what I can do alone-or with the help of others” (Horton, 2012, p. 400). It will be interesting to see the future of technology in online/mobile learning.
ReplyDeleteReferences
Horton, W. (2012). E-learning by design. (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
What a wonderful quote Susan. In real life, so few people truly work alone on anything. Generally, accomplishments are attained with the assistance of others. Although it has been a challenging adjustment, I have also found this new experience of online learning to be a positive and empowering change from the sit-and-get lectures of my prior degrees.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Roger,
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know of the unavailability of the previous comment. I tried to retrieve my previous comment but could not. I did not keep copy with me either so I had to redo my comment on the assessment Blog. Hope it is accessible this time. Thank you very much! Blessings, Dona
Roger, Well written and stated I truly enjoyed reading your blog. I must agree we are in a changing state and the way we learn must adapt. At times it will be easy but resistance will be apart of any changing element. We tend to cling to the old ways (traditional) in order to place restrictions on learning. The idea that we will learn no matter where we go is great. By having apps at the touch of a fingertip covering our courses is in place but will become more common. Thanks for all your information.
ReplyDeleteFrederick Christie