Assessment Strategies in Distance Education
Papers and Essays
Quizzes and Tests
Discussion and Chats
Blogs
Wikis
Graphic Organizers
Projects and Case Studies
Portfolios
Reflection
Peer Evaluation
Papers and Essays
- Includes: Academic written works that require research, thought, writing, and revision.
- Typically submitted through a CMS or third party web site such as Turnitin (turnitin.com).
Quizzes and Tests
- Includes quizzes throughout the course (formative assessment) that are helpful for student feedback and learning.
- Tests typically are summative assessments conducted as mid-terms or finals.
- Traditional multiple choice, true or false, and matching questions are included.
- Often created in a CMS.
Discussion and Chats
- Includes any activity where a student can discuss or debate course related topics.
- Often used for 'participation' points in assessment.
Blogs
- This web log format is nice for students to express themselves with their own page.
- May include text or images.
Wikis
- A wiki can be part of a CMS or stand alone and is similar to a blog.
- Group projects work well with wikis.
- Instructors can keep track of contributions.
Graphic Organizers
- Includes concept maps, flowcharts, Venn diagrams and other graphical concepts.
Projects and Case Studies
- Includes task-oriented activities that lend themselves to authentic learning experiences.
- Can be multi-media or simulation based.
Portfolios
- This is a collection of individual production and a synthesis of student's performance
- Web based portfolios are popular with free sites such as Weebly or Wix.
Reflection
- Any activity that helps the student relate the material to their own experience.
- Online journals are typically used for this.
Peer Evaluation
- This assessment is done by the student's peers and is typically used in group projects.
References for this page:
Den Exter, K., Rowe, S., Boyd, W., & Lloyd, D. (2012). Using web 2.0 technologies for collaborative learning in distance education – case studies from an Australian university. Future Internet 4, 216-237.
Kim, N., Smith, M. J., Kyungeun, M. (2008). Assessment in online distance education: a comparison of three online programs at a university. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 11(1).
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. New York: Pearson.
Den Exter, K., Rowe, S., Boyd, W., & Lloyd, D. (2012). Using web 2.0 technologies for collaborative learning in distance education – case studies from an Australian university. Future Internet 4, 216-237.
Kim, N., Smith, M. J., Kyungeun, M. (2008). Assessment in online distance education: a comparison of three online programs at a university. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 11(1).
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. New York: Pearson.