Assessing online courses
Assessing online courses can be achieved using many of the same methods as those described for face-to-face or blended learning courses. The only difference is that students on a wholly online course, due to the very flexibility provided by an online course, are unlikely to be able, or required, to attend an end of course invigilated exam in person. The choices we make about assessing online course then, are based on the learning outcomes to be assessed and the guiding principles of the University on assessment choice.
Options for online assessment
As discussed above, the only option not available for the assessment of online course is the end of year, invigilated, in person examination. Any other form of assessment can be translated into an online context and there are some that fit particularly well with the ethos of online teaching such as blogs and wikis, or the use of other technologies such as Aropä or PeerWise. However, more traditional methods of assessment can also be used, such as multiple choice questions delivered via the quiz function in Moodle, or essays submitted through Moodle. Online (synchronous or asynchronous) classroom discussion can also be assessed through contributions to discussion boards.