Beth,
Good for you! A rubric makes all of the difference in the world for strong effective feedback.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
My courses utilize a combination of objective and subjective evaluations. The courses include discussion and assignment essays as well as multiple choice tests. A rubric is utilized in the discussions and assignments to provide requirements and consistent grading. I provide feedback to the students for all coursework.
Don,
That is a perfect example of using both types of evaluation to assess learning. Both types of knowledge are important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
For example, in a fundamental Typography course students are given objective evaluations to assess their knowledge of typefaces, designers and design eras. They are also given subjective evaluations to create a typeface reflective of a certain designer and provide significant description that may related the typeface to a specific design period in history.
I use a combination of evaluation methods in my teaching Jennifer. Students do have points deducted for poor spelling and grammar, as well as sentence structure.
Good post!
Ms. Cressman
Cindy,
You are right. The type of assessment is dependent on the objectives. That is why writing objectives are so important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It really depends on the learning objectives. Ideally, I would use both. First, I would use objetive evaluations to make sure students understood the concepts. I would follow up that with a subjective evaluation that required students to apply several concepts in an essay or project. Since I typically teach art-related courses, I could use objective evaluations to make sure students understand the basics of color theory, design elements, fonts and marketing. Then I could use a subjective evaluation in the form of a project and require them to create several ads for the same campaign that utilizes what they've learned.
Linda,
You have very specific terminology that must be learned and those evaluations are perfect for that type of learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In many of my quizzes, I use multiple choice and true and false questions. Medical terminology is important in healthcare and I often use matching questions for an assessment of a student's knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
I use short answer or open-ended questions in my subjective assessments of their ICD-9 and CPT coding skills.
Ester,
The integrity of an online assessment is of great concern for everyone. We use a product called respondus lockdown that will lockdown the browser so students cannot change their screen. It works very well.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Theran,
I agree with you. I use essay online because I can better monitor the integrity of the assessment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Theran,
Thank you for your post. It is interesting that you do not participate in the development of the assessment. I agree with you, I do use both most of the time.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Steven,
True, do you think a rubric would aid in the reviewing?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Susan,
That is one well organized assessment plan. The rubrics are the key to it don't you think?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Douglas,
I have heard more and more people involved in online learning saying that. How do you feel about that?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
That is true, it also helps with the integrity of the assessment. There is something to said for that!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
You are right. To learn to write you have to . . . write! It's work to grade but it has to be done!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Letrice,
You are using them correctly. You have to assess in this way.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
Interesting that you have to have objective exams for certain courses. Why do you think that is the case?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I use a mixture of objective and subjective evaluations in my courses. On the midterm and final exams, there are 5 essay questions and the remaining are true-false, multiple choice, and matching questions. In some courses, I use all essay questions for at least one of the exams. I think it is important to use both styles of evaluations because for some courses it is necessary that students are able to write and explain concepts in their own language. The tricky part about this in online courses is that students sometimes post “internet answers†that have been generated directly from a web search and a quick copy and paste. I am constantly reminding students that it is their interpretation and understanding of the material that is important and not some random internet information.
