Assessing Online Learning

Created by David Penrose (San Juan College) on July 15, 2005

This recently published text provides a handy and useful overview of assessment techniques for measuring online learning. The target audience is actually novice online educators educators. Still, I found this book to be worthwhile reading. While I was familiar with the idea of collaborative assessment, the book presented a few interesting approaches that appeared to offer promise. For example, chapter 7 'Enriching Online Assessment Using Interactive Digital Video' (Hall, Molan, Bannon, & Murphy, 2005) peaked my curiosity, until I realized they were referring to Flash interactions. Of course, the importance of SCORM (Jeffery & Bratton-Jeffery, 2004) compliant learning/assessment modules have long been considered a valuable tool for performance recording and assessment (Tracey, 2004). I was also a little disappointed that the discussion of 'Computer-Mediated Communication as an Instructional Learning Tool' (Olaniran, 2005) promoted the use of VAXnotes and email. There certainly are more robust and modern communication tools that are worthy of discussion. According to a 1993 telephone interview with Jeff Jancula (Davis, 1997) VAXnotes was available for a commercial prototype for testing was developed in 1985, field tested in 1987, and offered for sale in 1988 (p.69). On a more positive note, I did like the chapter on 'Team Assessment Guidelines' finding the checklist quite useful.

References:
Comeaux, Patricia. (2005). Assessing Online Learning. Bolton, MA: Anchor Publishing Company, Inc.

Davis, Boyd H. (1997). Electronic Discourse: Linguistic Individuals in Virtual Space. Albany, NY: SUNY Press

Hall, T., Molan, C., Bannon, L., & Murphy, E. (2005). Enriching Online Assessment Using Interactive Digital Video. In P. Comeaux (Ed.). Assessing Online Learning. Bolton, MA: Anchor Publishing Company, Inc.

Jeffery, A. B. & Batton-Jeffery, M. F. (2004). Integrated Training Requires Integrated Design and Business Models. In A. M. Armstrong (Ed.). Instructional Design in the Real World. Hershey, PA: Idea Group, Inc.

Olaniran, B. A. (2005). Computer-Mediated Communication as an Instructional Learning Tool: A Course Evaluation. In P. Comeaux (Ed.). Assessing Online Learning. Bolton, MA: Anchor Publishing Company, Inc.

Tracey, William R. (2004). The Human Resources Glossary, 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press LLC

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		Assessing Online Learning Created by David Penrose (San Juan College) on July 15, 2005 This recently published text provides a handy and useful overview of assessment techniques for measuring online learning. The target audience is actually novice online educators educators. Still, I found this book to be worthwhile reading. While I was familiar with the idea of collaborative assessment, the book presented a few interesting approaches that appeared to offer promise. For example, chapter 7 'Enriching Online Assessment Using Interactive Digital Video' (Hall, Molan, Bannon, & Murphy, 2005) peaked my curiosity, until I realized they were referring to Flash interactions. Of course, the importance of SCORM (Jeffery & Bratton-Jeffery, 2004) compliant learning/assessment modules have long been considered a valuable tool for performance recording and assessment (Tracey, 2004). I was also a little disappointed that the discussion of 'Computer-Mediated Communication as an Instructional Learning Tool' (Olaniran, 2005) promoted the use of VAXnotes and email. There certainly are more robust and modern communication tools that are worthy of discussion. According to a 1993 telephone interview with Jeff Jancula (Davis, 1997) VAXnotes was available for a commercial prototype for testing was developed in 1985, field tested in 1987, and offered for sale in 1988 (p.69). On a more positive note, I did like the chapter on 'Team Assessment Guidelines' finding the checklist quite useful. References: Comeaux, Patricia. (2005). Assessing Online Learning. Bolton, MA: Anchor Publishing Company, Inc. Davis, Boyd H. (1997). Electronic Discourse: Linguistic Individuals in Virtual Space. Albany, NY: SUNY Press Hall, T., Molan, C., Bannon, L., & Murphy, E. (2005). Enriching Online Assessment Using Interactive Digital Video. In P. Comeaux (Ed.). Assessing Online Learning. Bolton, MA: Anchor Publishing Company, Inc. Jeffery, A. B. & Batton-Jeffery, M. F. (2004). Integrated Training Requires Integrated Design and Business Models. In A. M. Armstrong (Ed.). Instructional Design in the Real World. Hershey, PA: Idea Group, Inc. Olaniran, B. A. (2005). Computer-Mediated Communication as an Instructional Learning Tool: A Course Evaluation. In P. Comeaux (Ed.). Assessing Online Learning. Bolton, MA: Anchor Publishing Company, Inc. Tracey, William R. (2004). The Human Resources Glossary, 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press LLC David E-Learning \| Rants David's blog Login or register to post comments 2853 reads
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