The assessment practices in the virtual K-12 classroom
In the virtual world, assessment is an essential element to improve student learning. The virtual classroom assignments are designed and implemented in the curriculum based on the thoughtful collaboration among instructional designers, online teachers, and government officials (Natale, 2011). However, it is highly important to remember that assessment in the virtual classroom “begins not with creating or implementing tests, assignments, or other assessment tools but by first deciding…what you want your students to learn” (Suskie, 2004, as cited in McConnell, 2012, p. 19). It is evident that online students experience testing in a different way. First of all, they do most of the tests online …show more content…
Nevertheless, both benefits and challenges come out from the variables of time and space which are the biggest factors of the virtual environment. The flexibility of time gives these students an opportunity to choose the most suitable section of the day to do better on tests due to their own physical, psychological or family issues, such as having a doctor’s appointment. Additionally, students are encouraged to take the weekly assignments when they are ready and have mastered the subject. Geographically, it also helps students to learn and be assessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection only. The only exception is the final state exams which require the actual presence of the test-takers in a physical location (Natale, 2011). However, the major challenge of having students take tests at different times is course integrity. It is possible that one student can take a test earlier and share the questions with others who have not done it yet. From this perspective, the new approaches to virtual assessment have emerged which are focused on the “building students’ skills for peer- and self-assessment” (OECD, 2008, p. 2) which I believe will make a difference on a global scale in the near …show more content…
Therefore, the major strengths of the online assessment are the following. Firstly, stimulation of the skills highly needed in the 21st century, e.g. how to navigate on the internet, locate the required information, and operate in Word or Office documents. Secondly, the new Common Core standards expect students to justify their opinions, demonstrate critical thinking, and to give examples of the discussed ideas (Fast facts about online learning, 2013). However, at the same time the major limitation is in the legislative requirements, bringing up a debate on if virtual schools should let their students move on to other subjects when they have mastered the prerequisites without sitting the national physical exams (Natale, 2011). For the purposes of this essay, in the following sections, I will focus specifically on the gifted students since they are the ones who potentially suffer the most from the current state policies. All in all, multiple measures of assessment are being constantly developed in the virtual world in order to adhere to authentic assessment and to preserve course integrity as
In the virtual world, assessment is an essential element to improve student learning. The virtual classroom assignments are designed and implemented in the curriculum based on the thoughtful collaboration among instructional designers, online teachers, and government officials (Natale, 2011). However, it is highly important to remember that assessment in the virtual classroom “begins not with creating or implementing tests, assignments, or other assessment tools but by first deciding…what you want your students to learn” (Suskie, 2004, as cited in McConnell, 2012, p. 19). It is evident that online students experience testing in a different way. First of all, they do most of the tests online …show more content…
Nevertheless, both benefits and challenges come out from the variables of time and space which are the biggest factors of the virtual environment. The flexibility of time gives these students an opportunity to choose the most suitable section of the day to do better on tests due to their own physical, psychological or family issues, such as having a doctor’s appointment. Additionally, students are encouraged to take the weekly assignments when they are ready and have mastered the subject. Geographically, it also helps students to learn and be assessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection only. The only exception is the final state exams which require the actual presence of the test-takers in a physical location (Natale, 2011). However, the major challenge of having students take tests at different times is course integrity. It is possible that one student can take a test earlier and share the questions with others who have not done it yet. From this perspective, the new approaches to virtual assessment have emerged which are focused on the “building students’ skills for peer- and self-assessment” (OECD, 2008, p. 2) which I believe will make a difference on a global scale in the near …show more content…
Therefore, the major strengths of the online assessment are the following. Firstly, stimulation of the skills highly needed in the 21st century, e.g. how to navigate on the internet, locate the required information, and operate in Word or Office documents. Secondly, the new Common Core standards expect students to justify their opinions, demonstrate critical thinking, and to give examples of the discussed ideas (Fast facts about online learning, 2013). However, at the same time the major limitation is in the legislative requirements, bringing up a debate on if virtual schools should let their students move on to other subjects when they have mastered the prerequisites without sitting the national physical exams (Natale, 2011). For the purposes of this essay, in the following sections, I will focus specifically on the gifted students since they are the ones who potentially suffer the most from the current state policies. All in all, multiple measures of assessment are being constantly developed in the virtual world in order to adhere to authentic assessment and to preserve course integrity as