L8 2 2

=The assessment programme is designed to make effective and consistent use of e-learning technologies used in other course activities. =

Evidence
Assessment must map to what it is that the students have actually been doing. Technology used in assessment should align with technology used in the course and students should be familiar and competent using it.

A model provided in the JISC e-assessment effective practice handbook (2007) illustrates the relationship between assessment, feedback and support for progressing to the next element of learning. There is also a checklist for exploring the implications of implementing e-assessment in a particular context. This involves such items as reviewing the availability for learners of technologies, support and codes of practice, and reviewing models of staff training and support, also evaluation of achievement of objectives among other items.

Resources
Observing that the value of learning technologies is partly attached to some ability to perform limited automated assessment (p. 206), Laurillard (2002) recommends a series of assessment qualities for learning technologies. These include (p. 207): • design assessment in terms of objectives; • design questions to be open, non-technical and conceptual; • ensure that learning through new media is assessed and accredited; • design group assessment to fit objectives and modes of collaborative learning; • involve students in the design and assessment of marking; • reinterpret assessment criteria explicitly for learning from new media; • use the productive media to test the new learning activities that are being encouraged; • communicate assessment requirements clearly.

Similarly, Conrad and Donaldson (2004) propose that because engaged learning requires higher level thinking, assessment should comprise more than traditional exams and should include ‘activity rubrics, team assessment, and reflective self-assessment’ (p. 34). They add that assessment focus should be on establishing that the stated objectives for the course have been met, and that students have been engaged in the learning process.