8 Online Assessment Strategies for Better Learning Outcomes

The pattern of students’ assessment has remained the same for a long period, but it was bound to change in the face of challenging circumstances. The integration of technology also changed the way of assessments when online learning became the new trend; the paper and pencil method was no longer the only way of examination.

When conducting online classes the teachers utilize various methodologies to ensure student engagement and productive learning. Similarly, during online assessments, they need to come up with strategies that enrich the student learning process and encourage the learners to improve themselves.

Why are Online Assessments Necessary?

Ask any student their thoughts about online examinations, they unanimously would express their aversion to it. Despite having a love-hate relationship with it, they continue to prepare for every exam as they know how important it is for them to score good marks.

So, what is the ultimate aim of online examinations?

Is it only to propel learners to study day & night for the qualifying exams?

Or is it to just merely control and regulate them to perform better academically?

The online examination is a vital medium through which the students can be assessed academically as well as it is an excellent way to analyze the knowledge of the students. Since the online examination plays an important role in creating a competitive environment, it also encourages the students to study harder and instills discipline.

At the end of the day, the objective of the online examination is to evaluate the learners, determine their progress and improve the learning experience altogether.

Types of Online Assessments for Online Learning

There are two basic types of assessments for online learning.

A)Formative Assessments

These are tests and exams which are conducted by teachers during an online course or during the teaching of a particular subject. This gives the perfect opportunity for them to check the pace of learning and also to provide critical feedback to the learners.

B)Summative Assessments

These assessments are held towards the end of the academic year, to check what the student has learned over the year. These are also known as final or annual examinations. It should be noted that the structure of the examination is aligned with the learning outcomes.

8 Online Assessment Strategies for e-Learning

The assessment strategies that can be implemented to encourage an improved learning experience are as follows:

#1: Quizzes for Better Engagement

Quizzes are one of the most interesting and innovative forms of examination wherein the teacher asks random questions from the chapter that he/she has just taught to the students. It can be done both towards the end of the lesson or after it ends, but when it is integrated with the online format it becomes a unique online assessment tool.

Multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, hotspots, etc, are some of the most well-known forms of quizzes.

#2: Open-ended or Essay Questions

A growing concern for most educators is that due to the online education system the students have become quite lazy, they no longer spent time studying as they have easy access to the internet. Depending on which they answer most questions either during completing an assignment or while taking a test.

The teachers can include open-ended or essay questions as a part of assessment strategies for online learning, as this will encourage critical thinking. What makes this a notable tool is that this requires the learners to come up with their answers and opinions.

Henceforth, there is no scope for them to copy someone else’s answers on the contrary they have to invest time in organizing their thought process and figuring out the detailed answer. With the help of e-learning software, it becomes easy to frame proper questionnaires, and on top of that, it can also be saved for future use.

#3: Drag and Drop Activities

An activity that requires the student to drag an image or pieces of text to a corresponding section; is directed at improving the learner’s ability to think rationally. This exercise aims to prepare the learners to use knowledge and apply it in real-life situations.

#4: Case Studies For Improving Skills

Case studies are research methodologies that the students conduct either independently or in collaboration with other students. The topic is selected by the teacher and he/she also provides guidelines that should be followed during the assignment. On the day of the presentation, each student gives a demonstration of their case studies depicting real-world incidents and instances. Case studies are capable of improving social skills and critical thinking, it also fosters awareness about the geopolitical surrounding, social and environmental realities of different countries.

By integrating ERP solutions within the system of the institutions the educators will be able to host multiple demonstrations of case studies in one class. It is also noteworthy to indicate the fact that the students would be able to use various tools and resources due to this system which will further embellish the entire case study.

#5: Online Interviews for Building Self Confidence

A well-established fact is that the learning process is incomplete without effective communication between teachers and students. It becomes even more difficult to follow through when the classes are held online; lack of traditional classes and in-person communication tends to make learning and teaching ineffectual.

Online interviews can certainly be included within the online assessment strategies where the learners can express their thoughts and skills. Be it music or arts they can engage in a display of talent which will serve to increase their self-confidence.

#6: Dialogue Simulation Activity for Communication

This is an activity that is targeted to prepare the students to face any intimidating situation wherein they could communicate clearly and precisely. Since communication is one of the key skills that employers and companies look for in a candidate, it is pivotal for them to be able to speak properly.

Dialogue simulation activity prepares the students to engage in conversations with each other, it also helps to improve their confidence. With the help of the Learning Management System(LMS) the teachers could easily prepare several slides that incorporate within a conversation sim and accordingly create a dialogue.

#7: Online Polls for Students’ Feedback

Polls are an excellent medium through which one can acquire feedback directly from the students, this can also be effectively used to gauge student engagement. This is also a way through which the learner can express his or her grievances regarding whatever they are facing.

Online surveys or polls are conducive to the learning environment and help to engage the students in active participation in the class.

#8: Game Type Exercises for Better Collaboration

Monotonous teaching does not add value to the learning experience neither does it create any interest for studies for the students. Hence the teachers must come up with new exercises to engage the students in the class.

Some many games or exercises can be included within the classroom such as trivia games, wherein the students are required to ask a set number of questions within a stipulated time frame. When learning is made fun students tend to engage more in the class and it also helps to foster problem-solving skills and collaborative efforts.