Linda,
Nicely said. It is just closing the loop.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Three important things to consider for assessment tools online are as follows:
1. Does the assessment tool match the learning objectives?
What I mean by this is if you're teaching a skill, then the student needs to be able to demonstrate the skill. I often teach design courses, so the assessment needs to be a demonstration of the design skills, like creating an ad or designing some packaging. If the students are learning about history, then they need to be able to tell me in a quiz or paper about what they're learning.
2. Does the assessment help the students get feedback that helps them improve?
The ultimate goal of taking a class is learning new information and skills and bettering yourself. If the assessment does not allow the instructor to provide feedback that helps the students understand errors, good points and how to improve, the it's not the proper assessment for that class and those students.
3. Does the assessment allow the instructor to manage the assessment in a way that is beneficial to the class?
If the assessment tools are not manageable, meaning it's hard to grade the output and provide proper feedback to the students, then it's not the right tool for that instructor and that class.
Those are the questions I would ask myself and the three most important things for me to consider when assessing the use of online assessment tools.
The three things I think are important to consider are -
What are the learning styles of my audience
what teaching technique is best to get my points across
What type of assessment will allow me to know if my information has reached my audience.
If the teaching technique should be changed, it will show up in my assessment scores. The topic can be retaught and another assessment can be evaluated.
Susan,
Great point! I love the thought of innovation regarding an assessment tool. That should be considered!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ester,
You have a great post and make great points. I agree that there has to be some saviness with the technology.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Theran,
I think the comfort level of both the student and the instructor is so important. Good point!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Douglas,
Yes, grading and providing feedback is crucial. I have done audio feedback but it does take time and software.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jorell,
Don't you think there is? I think you have to use a variety of assessment tools to really determine mastery of content or skill.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jorell,
Great post! yes, the tool must assess what it needs to assess well and function properly. That can be the greatest barrier for the student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Don ,
Great points! You are right no one size fits all is the truth! You may have to use a variety of assessments to measure your objectives.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Niki,
Yes, I have also had them to a "trial run" in the testing environment. This can be helpful.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
You are right! Also, do students have to download a program to access the test. That can be very painful.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
You make a great point. It is important to make sure that you can use it and grade it. I have had some issues with some of the technology in uploading appropriate test questions.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
How true! You make a great point. Can you duplicate the assessment using the tool.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Breezy,
A great point. Yes, as an instructor you have to have an understanding of how the technology works on both the instructor and the student side.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
Great point! Nothing increases test anxiety than not being able to access the test!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the three most important things to consider are the ease in using the technology assessment tool, the innovative ways student assessment can be measured to provide maximum engagement, and how technology adds to the overall quality of the course resulting in higher student comprehension and achievement of the stated objectives. With so many educational options, ongoing assessment of what works and doesn't work is important.
I believe the three most important things to consider are:
1.) The type of content that is being covered in the course and whether it lends itself more and less towards a certain format—for example, a digital portfolio may work much better than multiple choice exams in an English 100 class.
2.) The instructors “saviness” with the technology---many times even when there are online support staff for online students, they still reach out to the professor when there are issues. Having someone who is comfortable with the technology and can navigate it smoothly can help to prevent overall discontent with the technology.
3.) Whether the technology is used consistently across the online courses to ensure student’s familiarity and reinforce the skill sets that are being assessed – it is helpful to have consistent technology across multiple so that students get accustomed to the types of activities that are expected of them as online students. It also provides the feedback, from multiple courses, that you need for overall assessment to know whether a tool is properly measuring what you intended it to.
I would list the following:
1. The technology needs to be current, error free, and provided by the school in a form that students can access it.
2. The technology needs to "work", be accessible, and only need updating or fixing periodically.
3. Students and faculty need to feel and be comfortable in utilizing the technology. Accordingly, the institution should provide training or "labs" at a level that can walk the individuals through the process so that they can effectively use the tchnology.
Are the tools being utilized across the board so each teacher is in sync with the others
Does your school have the means to use technology/assessment tools
Do you have time to follow up and provide adequate feed back.
