Online courses need to be assessed in order to make necessary changes to accommodate a learner-centered environment so many students will be able to take the course with little difficulties as possible. Instructors are needed to guide the students, answer questions and evaluate the students understanding of the lesson (RMCAD, n.d.)
There are three (3) methods of assessment that project managers, subject matter experts, instructional designers and instructional developers must take into account when designing courses. Among these are Learner-centered assessment, Summative assessment, and Formative assessment.
Learner-centered assessment has the students rely on the content having the instructor being more of a coach than a leader (RMCAD, n.d.). Learner-centered environment provides more opportunity for deep learning on in critical thinking (RMCAD, n.d.). Although quizzes and test measure the learning objectives, it lacks the ability to measure the complexity of deep learning (RMCAD, n.d.)
Summative assessment can measure the objectivity and give the student quick feedback through quizzes and tests (RMCAD, n.d.). These assessments can check students recall of concepts and application but lack the ability to provide students with metacognition (the awareness or analysis of one’s own learning or thinking process (Merriam Webster.com, n.d.)
Formative assessment gives the students a chance to know and understand their own learning weakness and strengths (RMCAD, n.d.). Formative assessment promotes learner engagement throughout the lessons and activities (RMCAD, n.d.). Learners receive a rubric or similar document that defines the expected levels of performance (RMCAD, n.d.). This form of assessment and environment is found in most of the courses that I have experienced.
The formative assessments include characteristics as collaborative activities, social learning opportunities, real world situations and problems, choices within the student’s own context, builds upon schemas and student’s won knowledge, opportunities for students to make connections among concepts, students are responsible for their own learning, self-regulated learning and self-evaluation, reflective learning as in blogs, journals, chat rooms and discussion boards, illustrates students skills and applications of concepts, and offers simple to complex and skills (RMCAD, n.d.)
Assessment is a need in online learning courses or courses in general to see if the course may have missed a vital concept, enhance the lesson or add more needed information. By the various means of assessing a course, instructors can evaluate or estimate the learning and understanding of the students. The data gained from tests and quizzes give the instructor the opportunity to see what is needed in the course individually and collectively. From there the instructor and design staff can tweak the course to gain better learning , understanding and performance.
References:
Merriam-Webster Online, (n.d.). Metacognition. Retrieved from http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/metacognition
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.student.online.rmcad.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=lms.activitiesAssignment&activityId=91917 &delivered=125481
janetmcphatter 