Design

Select approach l Select a range of strategies l Draft resources l Design learner support materials

1. Select approach
   The decisions you make here are really critical to the final shape of your assessment tasks. Your pedagogical approach will determine the type and scope of online assessment strategies that you are likely to select in the next section. Big picture decisions are taken here. Considerations at this stage may include

• the overarching teaching approach or pedagogy (constructivism , criterion referenced instruction , instructivist , behaviorist )
• whether the learning and assessment context covers closed/convergent knowledge or open/divergent
• whether the learning and assessment situation is collaborative as opposed to individual
• whether the assessment is deeply embedded in the learning or available at discrete times
• whether you are assessing knowledge or performance
• the degree of authenticity of the potential assessment tasks
• the appropriateness of problem based learning approaches

As an online learning designer it is possible that you will choose to use a hybrid approach to suit your own context. (p. 34)

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2. Select a range of strategies
   
   collaborative tasks

• online role plays
• WebQuests
• online discussion forums for problem solving, information exchange, debates, collaborative tasks
• presentations of work on homepages for critique
• peer review and assessment
• problem based learning

courseware-delivered tasks

• simulations of real life situations, processes
• computer marked (quizzes, crosswords, clozes, calculations)

individual tasks

• electronic portfolios
• assignments, reports and essays
• problem based scenarios
• scavenger hunts
• online exams (released by date, completion of tasks, proctor password etc)
• self assessment tasks
• case studies

workplace-based tasks

• on-job demo with workplace testimony
• videotaped on-job demonstration
• workplace based/on-job assessor

Choosing a range of assessment strategies will ensure that different learning styles are accommodated and that issues of authentication are addressed. In many cases a 'blended' approach will ensure that the assessment is valid, fair, reliable and adequate. (p. 36)

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3. Draft resources

   As you draft your online assessment resources, you will need to balance a lot of issues:

• Parallel with the development of the tasks you may need to develop a series of guides and tools. Consider whether these may also be available online.
• Double check that your online tasks have addressed the competencies or learning outcomes.
• Keep in mind the principles of assessment (fair, reliable, valid and flexible).
• Consider how the online medium can contribute to the development of key competencies such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, collaboration (i.e. NURS 240 therapeutic communications are self and peer assessed throughout course).
• Consider whether you need to offer alternatives to online tasks for those who may not be able to access or manage the medium.
• You should storyboard any complex online multimedia interactions.

Lastly, when you have completed a draft, you should make sure you have the tasks validated. (p. 40)

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4. Design learner support materials

Assessment often requires support materials, but this can be even more necessary when learners will be accessing and completing their tasks online. At this stage you may need to consider developing support materials which

• assist the learner in accessing and using the technology which houses the online assessment tasks
• clearly explain the requirements of the task, both online and face-to-face components
• address issues of timelines, flexibility and alternative arrangements
• ensure learners are aware of the legal issues of copyright and plagiarism
• provide learners with a model of the finished task. This is particularly important in online delivery as the faculty member is not there to give examples of final requirements as they would be in a face-to-face situation
• provide information on where to go to get help. (p. 41)

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Reference: Australian National Training Authority. (2004). Assessing online: the manual. [Electronic version] Retrieved March 10, 2005, from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/assessing/downloads/assessingmanual.doc)