Assessment for DE

Notes from the textbook.

A. Role of assessment

• Acts as basis for instruction
• Acts as a tool to achieve the desired learning outcome
• Develop skills in learners (formative assessment).
• Report success or failure (summative assessment).
• Enhance motivation
• Reinforce confidence

B. Characteristics of several types of assessment

• Outcomes-based-assessment - (reflects mastery of skills identified in the objectives).
  
• Norm-referenced scoring - compare students with others who have completed the same assessment. (Report long term trends and comparisons of extremely large group of learners - should never be used to determine grades)
  
• Grading on the curve - reflects how well the learners perform as compared to one another. (not useful to see whether the students have mastered the content).
  
• Criterion referenced scoring - (reflects mastery of course content)

Characteristics of good assessment:

• Validity - provides an accurate estimate of learning gains.
• Reliability - refers to stability and consistency of an instrument despite occasion and frequency of the assessment taken.
• Clarity of expectations - learners could easily understand the instructions given for the assessment.

Note: A useful assessment reflects learners' progress, understanding, transferability of skills and knowledge.

C. Strategies for assessing learners' progress

• Objective measures: multiple choice, true or false, matching, etc.
• Short answer test item: graphic organiser, concept map, fill in the blanks, etc.
• Subjective measures: essay, projects, presentations,
• Alternative assessments: authentic assessment, performance based assessment and constructivist assessment.

Assessment for DE learners:

• Online tests and quizzes
• Asynchronous communication : thought provoking questions, discussion forum/ debate, questions generated from reading, blogs and wiki.
• Synchronous communication: audio conferencing, online chat, instant messaging
• Portfolios: compilation of work consist of variety of materials leading to development of standards.
• Papers and essay
• Presentations
• Problem-based activities
• Journal writing
• Concept map
• Simulation and games

Implementation Strategies:

• On going and non graded assessment measures
• Balancing flexibility and structure
• Using scoring rubrics
• Facilitating students collaboration
• Selecting appropriate assessment measures

D. Related issues to assessment

• Academic misconduct
• Plagiarism
• Cheating

What is ahead?

• evidence-centered design
• automated essay scoring
• accessibility