Herschel Clopper

As an engineering student and as a professor of courses in many universities teaching materials that provide "educational tools", the challenge is whether the learner has internalized the teachings and understands the concepts enbodied in the "tool", has understood how to use the "tool" (=concept") properly, and also when the "tool" is NOT to be used (even more important.) This is the challange of the test/exam preparer to bring to the student a study to test the understanding of the student. Most of the tests I design are "open book", I want to see if the learner has indeed understood the tools that they have been given and when/where it is appropriate to apply the tool. A properly designed online exam can truely test the "learning" and not just short term retention or look-up ability.

Catherine Rice

That's a great question, Will! Many institutions have timed tests so the students don't have enough time to look up the answers. Walter also made a great point that projects can be assigned in lieu of tests. Furthermore, the weight of the grades for discussion forums and other assignments can be relatively high, particularly if they require critical analysis of the course content. Doing well on high quality discussion posts that require deep inquiry into the topic and demonstrated understanding of the course concepts can be an equally effective way of showing mastery of the material.

Walter van Poollen

Will
Given that I have no control over whether or not the students have their books available while taking the exam. I assume they do have their books and write the exam as if they do. It still requries them to understand the concepts. With an online test, my test have more probing question and do not just reguire students to know definations. The test delve more into the concepts.
Walter

Walter van Poollen
10-10-12

Shelly Crider CHEP

Will,
Switching to project based assessments is one way of doing so.

Shelly Crider