Tips For Assessing Learning Online
- The purpose of summative assessments is to determine if students have achieved the desired level of proficiency in a given learning objective or e-learning course. Summative assessments provide an overall understanding of student progress, while formative assessments identify areas that need improvement.
- There are four types of summative assessments in e-learning: written reports, presentations, objective-based tests, and portfolio assessments.
- Written reports/essays are an excellent way to assess a student's semantic knowledge and higher order thinking skills. Google Docs is a useful tool for assessing students through written reports and essays, allowing for real-time collaboration and feedback.
- Presentations are a great way to engage students and assess them in more authentic ways. Prezi is a presentation tool that offers more interactivity and engagement than traditional presentation tools like PowerPoint.
- Objective-based tests consist of multiple-choice, matching, or completion items and can be customized in the learning management system. Canvas is an example of a learning management system that makes it easy to create and set up objective based tests.
- Portfolio-based assessments are a collection of student work that demonstrate mastery over time. They are often used to evaluate the student's understanding of key concepts and skills learned in the course.
- Tips for effective integration of summative assessments in online courses include using a mix of assessment types, providing clear guidelines and instructions, and timely feedback.
