Course

Module I Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this Module, participants should be able to:

1. Mention the two main types of online assessment.

2. Demonstrate the design and implementation of using web videoconference to conduct synchronous assessment in an online course.

3. Describe the potential challenges that are recognized when conducting synchronous assessment and mention possible solutions for these challenges.

Activities of Module I:

1. Read the introduction.

2. Read the uploaded Resources that contained 3 PDF files and a figure.

Introduction to Module I:

Nowadays, online courses are offered in almost every university and college and students of public higher education institutions take at least one distance course. Over years, instructors have devoted a tremendous amount of work on online assessment, exploring a variety of ways such as online quizzes or online homework, online discussions, online peer evaluation, online videoconference or using learning analytics to assess student online learning. However, designing and conducting efficient online assessment has always been a challenging area to instructors.

Basically, online assessment can be sorted into two main types: synchronous assessment and asynchronous assessment, pending on whether a real-time online interaction between the instructor and learner(s) is conducted. Most methods and activities presented in the literature are in the scope of asynchronous assessment; it appears that there is not enough research and practice in the field on online synchronous assessment.

Assignments of Module I: 

After reading the materials, reflect on the following questions considering your current practices and experiences, then submit your answers by uploading them on the Forum entitled Assignments of Module I, and comment on at least TWO entries from other participants about their experiences with Assessment in Distance Learning - Oral Exam. Then we are going to discuss answers and comments next zoom meeting and take feedback.

1. Mention the two main types of online assessment.

2. Demonstrate the design and implementation of using web videoconference to conduct synchronous assessment in an online course.

3. Describe the potential challenges that are recognized when conducting synchronous assessment and mention possible solutions for these challenges.

Module II Learning Outcome:

By the end of this Module, participants should be able to:

1. Describe how to use oral exam to assess student learning outcomes in distance learning.

2. Explain how synchronous assessment method (oral exam) can be used to improve the quality of instructional video design in distance learning.

Activities of Module II:

1. Read the rationale.

2. Read the uploaded Resources that contained 3 PDF files and a figure.

Rationale of Module II:

How can you improve Learning from Synchronous Assessment? 

The original purpose of assessment is to find out whether or to what extent student learning has achieved the course objectives with expected quality. 

The results and findings from the two cases studied in the added material suggested  an important “function” of assessment: to improve learning through assessment. 

Well-designed online synchronous assessment can provide the opportunities for instructors to 

(a) Assess student learning.

(b) Deliver additional instructions or guidance in a real-time one-to-one conversation and help students improve their learning. 

Assignments of Module II: 

After reading the materials, reflect on the following questions considering your current practices and experiences, then submit your answers by uploading them on the Forum entitled Assignments of Module II and comment on at least TWO entries from other participants about their experiences with Assessment in Distance Learning - Oral Exam. Then we are going to discuss answers and comments next zoom meeting and take feedback.

1. Describe how to use oral exam to assess student learning outcomes in distance learning.

2. Explain how synchronous assessment method (oral exam) can be used to improve the quality of instructional video design in distance learning.

Please complete the end course evaluation questionnaire