Distance course assessment

Students are very familiar with the term assessment because is something they see every time; it even happens in distance courses, but in different way as happens in face-to-face classes. However is necessary to explain first, what is assessment? Well, “Assessment refers to the broad area of monitoring the learning progress.” (Advanced methods in distance eduacation, 2005) In other words, is the umbrella term that covers a variety of data collection methods used to evaluate educational outcomes (Chase, 1999).

            Therefore, there are some difficulties a distance course teacher must overcome as: lack of time, maintain interest on students, and be flexible with learners. For that reason “Assessment must be tailored to meet the needs of the learners, the instructor, and the content being taught. It is important to choose the right assessment technique to fit the situation”. (Advanced methods in distance eduacation, 2005). Communication among students or between the teachers is necessary to know them, so instructors use the appropriate techniques in distance course.

            In the same way, lack of time is the main issue that has teachers and students. For example, in teachers “noted that many more hours were needed to assign and grade work and return feedback online”. (Byington; 2002). Consequently, instructors can check assignments at the end of each deadline to avoid the accumulation of work, and provide feedback as soon as possible. In that way, students and teachers know the progress they have in the course.

            Maintain interest on students is not an easy task because “your grading process should encourage learners to be interested in more than the point value or grade you awarded for each assignment and to discuss ideas with you throughout the course”. (Developing an online curriculum: technologies and techniques, 2004). A solution is to motivate students in every assignment they do; for example, giving positive comments as good job, you have good ideas, etcetera. Otherwise to let students decide some topics, so they interest increase through the course.

            In addition, teachers must consider that students “tend to work at least one job, have family responsibilities, and take one or more online courses at a time, their time is limited”. (Developing an online curriculum: technologies and techniques, 2004). The same pheromone happens with teachers, lack of time; even though, both are adults they get very frustrated with the course.  In one hand some teachers do not provide feedback, and in the other hand students drop-off the course. A way to solve this problem is in “Keeping to the established course schedule is important, but so is flexibility in knowing when to grant an extension and when an assignment has to be forfeited.”  (Developing an online curriculum: technologies and techniques, 2004). Knowing all this students and teachers can manage their time efficiently, and teachers can check assignments more professionally.

             As a final statement, “Assessment can provide the information necessary to guide the instructor and learner in making those adjustments”. (Advanced methods in distance education, 2005). Even though, is not an easy task for students and instructors; for example, lack of time, maintains students’ interest, and to be flexible with them, but these issues can be solved if teachers “provide feedback and post grades within the time frame you have established.” (Developin an oline curriculum: technologies and techniques, 2004). For the reason students will always look for feedback, so teachers will use the techniques they consider appropriate to achieve the goal according to their time.

Biography

(2004). En R. L. Porter, Developing an online curriculum: technologies and techniques (pages. 173-179). United States: Information Sience PUBLISHING.

(2005). Advanced methods in distance eduacation. En K. E. Dooley, J. R. Lindner, & L. M. Dooley, Advanced methods in distance eduacation (pages. 146-160). United States of America: Information Science Publishing.