Assessment Strategies
Assess Often
Assessments need to be varied, frequent, and of multiple types to effectively measure student learning in an online course.
Assessments should be aligned with the outcomes of the learning material being assessed. Assessment activities need to be clearly defined and accompanied by examples of the expected quality of work.
Formative and Summative
A combination of formative and summative assessments integrated into the course helps the instructor identify and address student misconceptions immediately, measure learner performance, and improve the course through student feedback.
Use these ideas for inspiration:
- Use anonymous surveys to gather student feedback throughout the course (beginning, mid-semester, end).
- Integrate self (e.g., practice tests) and peer assessment exercises.
- Assign reflection papers around key milestones.
- Assign group projects and presentations.
Use Rubrics
In Canvas, you can create digital scoring tools to evaluate graded work. When you allow students access to rubrics before they complete their work, you provide transparency into your grading methods and help students complete graded assignments according to your specifications. Most Canvas-integrated tools allow you to include a pre-formatted, customizable, and reusable rubric.
Tips & Tricks
- Treat discussion boards, journals, and blogs the same as “classroom participation” and make them required and gradable.
Glossary
Summative Assessment
High-stakes graded activities done at various milestones in the course (e.g., mid-term, final, etc.)
Formative Assessment
Frequent and low-stakes activities with instructor feedback that allow students to check their performance and identify areas for improvement