Posted by:
Julie Young
Building admin/coordinator
Orlando, FL

Topic:
What students can do

Message:

(I served on the Web-based Education Commission Panel that sought input on issues that must be addressed in order to maximize the promise of the Internet for learning. These responses are from that report. For a full copy of the report, visit http://www.webcommission.org. Please note that responses are focused on my experience with distance-based learning practices.)

Today's assessment should be measuring what a student can do, rather than whether he can memorize facts and repeat information without any demonstration of performance utilizing that information. Web-based instruction requires teachers to use alternative forms of assessments. The paper/pencil exam must give way to portfolio assessments, project-based learning, and the utilization of technology to provide students an avenue for demonstrating knowledge.

The Internet allows for a variety of ways of gathering information about student performance. It can facilitate one-on-one evaluation of a student by a teacher outside the boundaries of time and location. Innovative assessment tools need to be assessed as they emerge from teachers and students using new technologies. As new ways of delivering content are developed, appropriate assessment methods should be included as part of the development process.

As technologies improve, the delivery of content needs to move from the text only material of the 70's and 80's through the sight and sound materials of the 90's into the addressing of all of the senses in an effort to improve effectiveness and efficiency of learning. Students want to touch it, smell it and taste it, as well as see it in 3-D and hear it in surround sound. In addition, the amount of information presented cannot be the same as in a traditional classroom. If traditional classrooms would use similar methods to teach students as are used in DE courses, such as Web Quests, we would find that the amount of content would decrease and the quality of information learned would improve.

The Florida High School has utilized the following evaluation methods to monitor student achievement:

• Peer Review. Experts in subject matter, instructional design and curriculum, review courses with established peer review checklist to evaluate effectiveness in assisting students in meeting expectations of state and national standards.

  
  

• Student Evaluation/Reflections. Student assessment of units of study gives instructors feedback that affirms effectiveness or provides suggestions for improvement.

  
  

• Standards-Based Assessments. At regular intervals throughout the course and in final exam, students demonstrate proficiency in expectations established in state and national standards (SCANS Goal 3).

  
  

  To reply, please first log into The Knowledge Loom

  Back      Return to the Forum

  
  

This resource is developed and maintained by The Education Alliance at Brown University. Seed funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Send comments to: loom@alliance.brown.edu