1.2.2 Online assessment

All accredited study requires some form of assessment and online learning is no exception. Assessment is an opportunity to provide guidance to you and your tutors about how you are coping with the course, and also to demonstrate you have the required knowledge and understanding needed to pass a university level course.

Online assessment can be in two main formats: short-form such as interactive quizzes to check your knowledge and understanding as you progress through a course, and long-form such as assignments submitted electronically to a tutor or teacher. But the key point about assessment is that there should be careful guidance given in assignment books which can be reinforced by your tutor, and you should receive extensive and constructive feedback.

The aim of assessment is not to discover your weaknesses, but to provide you with opportunities to consolidate your learning and understanding.

Think about feedback you might have received, either on your work or previous study:

• How comfortable are you in receiving feedback?
• What sort of feedback do you find most helpful?
• What sort of feedback do you find least helpful?
• Does the format in which you receive that feedback (in person, electronically, etc.) make a difference?