Aligning e-learning with assessment and learner support

Janet MacdonaldOpen University in Scotland

QAA Assessment Series, Edinburgh, April 2004

E-learning courses

Many using online media to support new styles ofcourse pedagogy, including:

• online discussion

• access to wider resources

E-learners need to develop

• Electronic information literacy

• Online collaborative learning

• A more self directed approach to study

Harnessing the formative power of assessment..

• Checking knowledge & understanding of course content

• Building skills and confidence in e-learning

• Developing lifelong learners

Three studies of assessment of networked courses at OU

• 2nd level undergrad Technology course + postgrad Educational Technology course: feedback from 800 students and 50 tutors over 3 years

• 2nd level undergrad Education course: feedback from 200 students and 12 tutors

• Desk study of assessment design on 4 networked courses

Summarise an article on a course topic

Post your summary to online conference

Discuss the issues arising, in the conference

Marks for:• Summary of article

• Reflection on key points of online debate

• Two of your own messages, each supported by a peer’s message to illustrate your ability to interact and build on contributions.

Aligning participation with course aims

• Write an essay on a course issue, drawing on four articles from the electronic resources

• Compare the use of two different search methods used to collect material for your essay, and comment on their usefulness

• Describe three criteria which you used to decide on the relevance and applicability of your chosen articles.

Assessing skills as well as course concepts

Open assessment criteria

This assignment will be judged on the

following criteria:

1. Understanding of key concepts x, y & z

2. Coherent explanation

3. Good presentation

Model answers

Teacher: How would you answer this question?

Student:Discussion, trial answers

Here is my attempt at an

answer

TUTOR:TUTOR: Every course has its own particular approach to writing.When planning your essay, remember […] I have put together afew examples from your scripts to illustrate this point. You canlearn from each other!

STUDENT 1:STUDENT 1: I am going to look at the situated view of learningas explained in the E211 course and give examples of personalexperiences which show the connections between [...]

STUDENT 2:STUDENT 2: What is a ‘learning situation’? Although in thisanalysis I use terms such as ‘my personal learning situation’ inorder to situate my argument within the context of the course,the truth is [...]

The E-scrapbook: student answers

Submit draft to conference

Comment on drafts of two peers, highlighting:

one aspect you liked

one aspect you think could be improved

Amend your own draft

Marks for:

• submitting draft pages to conference

• giving constructive comments to two peers by agreed date

• reflection on use of peer feedback

Participating in assessment

Assessing e-learning

• assessment can create e-learning opportunities at critical points

• assessment can combine e-learning development, with course content

• e-learners should participate in their assessment

General comments• Cost effectiveness

• Developing capability for lifelong learning

student learningstudent learningreliability, costsreliability, costs

j.r.macdonald@open.ac.uk

http://www.open.ac.uk