I learned that "requiring students to self-assess prior to submitting assignments/projects for instructor evaluation gives them an opportunity to review and revise their work. Giving them a rubric for self-assessment helps them realize the importance of the objectives and of relating the designated criteria to their work. This in itself is a learning opportunity." I really like this tip and will be implementing it in my courses.
I love using rubrics, and I like to provide written feedback as well, especially when grading papers or discussions. This is another easy way to connect with students without interrupting their time.
As part of my lectures, I always review the rubric with the class ensuring that we have a common set of expectations and clear understanding of the assignments. I use the rubric, as expected, for the grades and provide feedback on each section of the rubric. At times, I have reviewed the rubric with a student to justify the grade if it were in question. However, I now see great value in a student's self-assessing.
Feedback to students is essential to give the students learning parameters and guidance. The implementation of a rubric is very useful and measure the level of progress.
providing meaningful feedback is a crucial part of an online course.
Giving students feedback helps them grow with the content provided and rubrics help with the student knowing expectations for getting the A!
I encourage the use of diverse feedback modalities. Whether through written comments, auditory insights, or visual aids, each approach brings unique strengths to the learning experience. Written feedback, be it from peers or instructors, provides detailed insights for reflection. Auditory feedback, through voice messages or discussions, adds a personal touch, fostering a deeper understanding. Visual aids, such as annotations or diagrams, offer a different perspective. By incorporating a mix of these modalities, we can cater to varied learning preferences, enriching the feedback process for a more comprehensive and engaging learning journey.
Mohd Ali
It is important for faculty to provide meaningful and individualized feedback to students throughout the course to guide the students in their learning. Feedback should be considered, such as a rubric or auditory feedback at the end of the learning process and immediate feedback if the students take interactive quizzes during the course.
The role of good feedback in helping to emphasize and enhance the content and retention of student learning is really going to help me better tailor my suggestions and approach with students moving forward.
Grading Rubics need to clearly set Criteria and Objectives through the Title, Objective, Specific Criteria, Points Associated to Criteria, Rows for Totaling Columns and Overall Total, and Grading Scale.
Self and Peer Assessment can be used to working towards better understanding for a better final evaluation. Instructor Assessment Feedback during Self and Peer Assessment helps increase learning and overall understanding of objectives. Meaningful Feedback leads to improved learning.
Recognizing the importance of diverse assessment types, including formative, summative, self, and peer assessments, is integral to fostering a comprehensive learning experience.
The use of forms of formative and summative assessments with a focus on the use of a rubric, for teacher and peer assessments, are very useful feedback tools.
Feedback provides potential for growth and understanding.
More than anything, this section reiterated that what I'm already employing as my feedback methodologies in my online courses are best practices, and it reiterated much of what we review in departmental meetings.
I allow for a do-over when a student has missed the mark on an assignment. I am going to add the phrase suggested in this lesson "What 1 (or more) things did you change in your self-assessment or self-reflection process?"
Assessments should be meaningful to the student not generic. Rubrics provide the teacher and student with assessing their coursework and help students to understand where they are at in the assessment and where they may want to be on their next assessment.
Positive feedback from the instructor helps keep the student motivated to learn. It's critical for the instructor to maintain positivity when evaluating student's work.
In an online graduate-level course, providing meaningful feedback using a student-centered approach is essential for fostering a rich learning experience. This approach involves tailoring feedback to individual students' needs, addressing their strengths and weaknesses, and aligning it with the course objectives. By acknowledging each student's unique perspective and encouraging self-assessment and reflection, instructors can empower graduate learners to take ownership of their education, promoting deeper engagement and higher levels of critical thinking throughout the course.
A great note within this module was the admonition to "focus feedback on providing information to increase learning rather than using your comments to justify the grade. The rubric is what provides justification for the grade."
Tailoring a Comprehensive Assessment Plan: A Reflection on "Teaching Online: A Student-Centered Approach"
The holistic approach towards assessment elucidated in "Teaching Online: A Student-Centered Approach" has provided a profound understanding of how assessment should be a tandem endeavor between the instructors and the students. It resonates well with the concept of continuous improvement which is pivotal in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
Here are some key takeaways and applications from the module:
Understanding Assessment:
The module emphasized viewing assessment as a dual-purpose tool to evaluate students' understanding and the effectiveness of teaching methodologies. This idea is enlightening and underscores the importance of a feedback loop in the teaching-learning ecosystem.
Moving forward, I plan to incorporate reflective practices to gauge the effectiveness of the instructional strategies employed and adapt them based on the insights garnered from the assessments.
Formative and Summative Assessments:
The delineation between formative and summative assessments and their respective roles in a course was elucidated well. The idea of embedding formative assessments like exit tickets and muddiest-point papers within the instruction to gauge understanding in real-time is innovative.
I intend to blend both formative and summative assessments in my courses to create a balanced evaluation system that not only grades students but also aids in their learning journey.
Rubrics:
The notion of rubrics as more than just a checklist but as a tool to ensure consistency in grading is compelling. It's fascinating how a well-designed rubric can clarify the expectations upfront and streamline the grading process while providing meaningful feedback.
I will endeavor to design comprehensive rubrics for assignments and projects to elucidate the expectations and the grading criteria. This will also foster transparency in the evaluation process.
Self-Assessment and Peer Assessment:
The module illustrated how self-assessment and peer assessment can foster a deeper understanding and critical thinking among students. It’s enlightening to see how these assessments can help students to review, revise and learn from each other.
I plan to incorporate self-assessment and peer assessment in my courses to promote reflective practices and collaborative learning. Providing clear guidelines for these assessments will be crucial to ensure their effectiveness.
Providing Meaningful Feedback:
The significance of providing detailed, individualized feedback that is connected to the learning objectives was well-articulated. The various methods of providing feedback based on the nature of the assignment were also insightful.
Going forward, I plan to employ a mix of written, auditory, and visual feedback based on the nature of the assessments. Furthermore, I will explore technologies that can aid in providing timely and meaningful feedback to the students.
Incorporating Technology:
Technology seems to be a linchpin in orchestrating an effective online assessment strategy. Be it through creating dynamic syllabi, managing e-communities, or employing various digital tools for assessments and feedback, the role of technology is undeniable.
I plan to leverage various digital tools and platforms to enhance the assessment experience. Employing tools for creating interactive quizzes, discussion forums for peer assessments, and digital platforms for submissions and feedback will be part of this endeavor.
Accessibility and Inclusivity:
The module also touched upon the importance of catering to the diverse needs of students, including those with special needs. Providing auditory feedback for visually impaired students and visual feedback for hearing-impaired students is essential for inclusivity.
I plan to ensure that the assessment strategies employed are inclusive and accessible to all students. This will involve exploring technologies that can aid in providing accessible feedback and assessments.
The module has been a cornucopia of insights into creating a robust assessment plan that is student-centric, inclusive, and leverages technology to enhance the learning and teaching experience. The blend of theoretical knowledge with practical examples has provided a clear roadmap on how to tailor an assessment plan that is aligned with the course objectives and caters to the diverse learning styles and needs of the students.
In summation, the knowledge acquired from this module will be instrumental in redefining the assessment strategies in my online courses to create a more engaging, insightful, and enriching learning experience for the students.
