Title: Assessment and On-Line Learning

Presenters:

• Rod Sims and
• Meg O'Reilly

Introduction

Fred Rossini said that the university of the future will be a network and not a place. What does this mean for teaching, learning and assessment?

The implementation of on-line teaching and learning strategies has not only seen an exponential growth of courses designed for this medium but also the potential for new paradigms of teaching, learning and assessment. In parallel with this growth has been the shift from teacher-centred (sage on the stage) to learner-centred (guide on the side) programs and the notion of not only just-in-time but also just-for-you education. Given this environment, what are the emerging issues in on-line assessment? Do we try and replicate existing assessment methods on-line, or are there different techniques more appropriate to the on-line environment?

This workshop is designed to focus on two specific issues arising from our move into on-line learning in the tertiary environment. The first relates to devising techniques for implementing effective assessment strategies for on-line learning tasks and the second focuses on innovative methods by which to assess collaborative and learner-centred activities in the context of resource-based learning.

To achieve this we will be asking participants to present innovative assessment strategies prior to the workshop so that they can be contextualised within the on-line paradigm, and thereby identifying methods that break from the past.

Objectives

On completion of the workshop, participants will have:

• identified their philosophical position on assessment in the tertiary environment of the future
• access to alternative assessment techniques for on-line teaching and learning
• access to a comprehensive set of readings and resources

Audience

The workshop is intended for participants who are currently working with on-line teaching and learning and wish to enhance their ability to effectively apply assessment strategies in the on-line context.

Each delegate will receive a workshop booklet containing key discussion points, online assessment templates and important readings.

Format

The first session will be facilitated by Rod Sims, providing a theoretical context for assessment and issues confronting the use of the old with the new. The second session will be convened by Meg O'Reilly who will focus on the current strategies employed by participants and their level of effectiveness within an on-line environment.

Delegates will be involved in a range of activities and dialogue focusing on a series of questions and issues identified within the workshop notes. More importantly, the workshop will provide a means for delegates to identify their particular concerns for assessment in online environments and "workshop" potential solutions.

Content

The workshop will address the following topic areas:

• The value of applying traditional assessment protocols in an on-line context.
• Is the enrolled virtual student the same person submitting the assessment?
• Strategies for assessing on-line learning tasks
• Blending of formative and summative assessments
• Assessing new skills such as information literacy, text-based communication, collaborative learning
• Staff workload, the "active student" and reusable learning resources
• Authentication and authentic assessment activities

About the Presenters

Dr Rod Sims is Associate Professor and Director of Learning Environments at Deakin University; he has over 20 years experience in the design and development of interactive learning systems. Rod has national and international recognition of his work and is currently responsible for the implementation of major online learning applications at Deakin University.

Meg O'Reilly is Lecturer, Educational Designer in the Teaching and Learning Centre, Southern Cross University. Meg's role includes staff development as well as the design and development of teaching, learning and assessment strategies for a flexible educational environment. Recent publications include the book "Assessing Open and Distance Learners" co-authored with colleague Chris Morgan, as well as several chapters on research pertaining to issues emerging as a result of online assessment.