References:
Chester, M. (2012). Challenges Faced By Faculty Who Transition to Post-Secondary Education. Retrieved 2015, from ProQuest.
Kim, N., Smith, M., & Maeng, K. (2008). Assessment in Online Education: A Comparison of Three
Online Programs at a University. Online Journal of Learning Administration, XI(I). Retrieved May 26, 2015, from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring111/kim111.html
Hey Amanda,
ReplyDeleteGood work on this! I actually started listening to your 638 blog (eeekkk!) Anyway, how might you use Twitter as an assessment tool?
Hi Dr. Courduff,
DeleteThank you for your reply. Before my 638 class, I had not even given Twitter a second thought. After being 'encouraged' (for a grade) to develop an account, post tweets related to certain subject material we are discussing throughout the week, and sharing information with my classmates, I finally realized that Twitter is an invaluable resource for information and a great networking tool, as well. I also found a great article today that helped validate my feelings about Twitter. This article revealed that multiple studies show the importance of "the role of Twitter in establishing a collaborative learning relationship between students and instructors through the process of sharing ideas, resources and
reflections" (Basta, 2015). As an assessment tool, I think that an online instructor can design specific activities (such as researching relevant subject matter for the week, retweeting another classmate's interests, or sharing information with others) to ensure that the student has a grasp on current trends and issues in their field, they can navigate the application, and that they can collaborate with others in their own field in a professional manner. Twitter's value is endless when it comes to information and networking!
Reference:
Bista, K. (2015). Is Twitter an effective pedagogical tool in higher education? Prespectives of education graduate students. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 15(2), 83-102. Retrieved June 6, 2015, from ERIC.
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point that I did not think about when I was doing my post. I totally agree with you that we do have to keep in mind that professional development for the instructors or teachers that are assessing students online is important. I think it is also important to remember that depending on the course that is being taught should determine the type of assessment is needed.
I will also agree with you that Liberty his done a great job in assess its online students. One reason I think they have done a great job is that they use multiple ways to assess a student, which allows the students to think on their own. By allow students to dig and find answers or come up with responses it allows student to construct a learning experience. This allows the professors to be facilitators in the learning experience.
Once again, I thought this was a great post and you brought to light to me that professional development plays a key role in how online students should be assessed.
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI find interesting that some of the points mentioned in your post about online assessments are indeed universal truth about assessments commonly shared with traditional assessments methods from non-online settings like: reflections, group projects, continuous and ongoing assessments as well as timely feedback. Therefore assessment must be carefully designed, communicated to students and well managed (Rowntree, 1977).
Also interesting for me was to find out that besides assessments, online teachers are required substantial training on how to use the different electronic tools to perform the assessments; taking into consideration all the factors affecting learning and assessments of adults learners in the global community (Okonkwo, C., 2010). Computer based assessments are essential to monitor learning evaluations and higher learning institutions have invested resources in scientifically based research to design such assessments (Sapriati, A. & Aminudin, Z. (2010).
References
Okonkwo, C. (2010). Sustainable Assessment and Evaluation Strategies for Open and
Distance Learning. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE ISSN
1302-6488, 11(4.6), 121-129.
Sapriati, A. & Aminudin, Z. (2010). Using Computer-Based Testing as Alternative
Assessment Method of Student Learning in Distance Education. Turkish Online
Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE April 2010 ISSN 1302-6488, 11 (2.10),
161-169.
Rowntree, D. (1977). Assessing Students: How shall we know them? Kogan Page Ltd.,
London.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYou had some great thoughts. One of the things that I have found interesting in my research, and somewhat contrary to yours, is that quality is a huge issue within the online education community (Carter, Michel, & Varela, 2012; Liang & Chen, 2012). There are some great benefits with online learning, but it seems that some schools have chosen to engage in online learning because they can.
I, too, may have fallen in this trap. I have used a free host for online forums the last few years. I need to go back and create a goal and objectives that need to be accomplished with this activity. We, and in this case, I should not integrate it for the sake of doing it. There must be a driving purpose.
References:
Cater, John James, I.,II, Michel, N., & Varela, O. E. (2012). Challenges of online learning in management education: An empirical study. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 17(4), 76-96. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1114670307?accountid=12085
Liang, R., & Chen, D. V. (2012). Online learning: Trends, potential and challenges. Creative Education, 3(8), 1332-1335. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1282096373?accountid=12085
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, you discussed many topics that are very important regarding assessments for distance education and in an online learning environment. I agree that professional development is crucial for educators that want to use online teaching. Our ISD group project for this course addresses that need by choosing a topic that will help teachers develop their technology skills. In my first year as a teacher my classroom was equipped with a SmartBoard and a document camera, but I received no professional development for either device. In addition to the importance of professional development, creating assessments that address the needs of the students is vital for online learning. I agree that Liberty University does a great job with discussion boards, group projects, and research papers to maximize student learning. I also agree that quick feedback is important in an online setting. Students need to see their progress, and know how to improve. Overall, great blog this week I really enjoyed it.
Bob