Why
are tests and quizzes a vital part of e-learning?
Tests
and Quizzes play an important role in e-learning and provide an array of
benefits for both the learner and the instructor. Let's first look at how they
improve the experience of the instructor.
Less
work to be done
Remember
school, when tests lasted an hour at a set time of day and the instructor
usually had to stay up late to grade them and then write detailed feedback for
each and every individual student?
We've
already gone through how e-learning alleviates the need for testing to be done
at a specific hour, but it also makes testing a hassle-free task as corrections
are automated with a LMS. In the cases of "Essay Question" tests,
e-learning systems are usually equipped with keyword tracking tools that grade
depending on what has been mentioned in the essays. This isn't a fool-proof
system but it helps save some time in comparison with long grading sessions.
Unique
Tests
Testing
and quizzing can be made unique in a LMS by randomizing question and answer
order. This is especially useful when a learner has to re-do a test which
he/she previously had poor performance on so that the test is not completed by
memory, but rather by actually thinking through the correct solution once
again. This feature is also useful to produce more variety by using a large
pool of questions from which testing can be done, rather than recycling the
same questions over and over.
Instant
grading and feedback
Grading
and giving feedback is probably the most time consuming task for the
instructor. It's where the instructor has the ability to comment on the
strengths and weaknesses of a learner and enable learning to actually take
place! Feedback needs to be good. A LMS will usually allow the instructor to
create dynamic feedback depending on the answer a learner will give to a
specific question. For instance, in a multiple-choice test if the learner
chooses answer B over the correct answer C, the appropriate feedback will be
given back to the learner, indicating fault in the thought process, or hints as
to why another answer would be more appropriate. This complements point 1 above
(i.e.: "Less work to be done") by the instructor because it allows
the learner to get instant feedback on a correct/ incorrect answer, and
it saves time for the instructor who can take advantage of automated feedback.
In-depth
analysis readily available
Tests
have to be gathered and graded, and feedback has to be written for the
individual learner to take back and improve on particular areas. Learning
Management Systems give the instructor even more analysis though. Through a
reporting system, a LMS gives the instructor an overview of test scores, progress
and growth with graphical representation to make the analysis even easier to
grasp especially when the class-size is very large. That way, an instructor has
the ability to analyze which students scored highest/ lowest, and which
questions were hardest/ easiest for the majority of students. Reporting is a
handy tool that allows the instructor to see trends and act upon them to
improve the curriculum.
It
is also environmentally friendly!
Going
from hard-copy tests/ quizzes to offering the same capabilities online reduces
consumption of goods such as paper - especially important when the online
classroom is large and growing! Now, let’s see how tests and quizzes improve
the experience of the student:
Self-assessment
tool
Testing
and quizzing online will usually provide the user with results instantly. This
is good for students because it allows them to know what they did wrong
immediately, what they need to focus on, and how to improve should they have to
retake the test.
Keeps
learners engaged
Tests
and quizzes have always been a motivator to study harder when students know
that their progress will be judged upon an exam, a performance review etc. It
sets a deadline for when material needs to be learned by and diligent students
know they must adhere to that.
Further
considerations
The
use of different forms of testing, such as multiple choice tests,
fill-in-the-blanks, true or false, or essay questions can also be used to
assess the progress of students with different learning styles. Catering to the
needs of different learning styles is an important aspect of e-learning which
gives it the edge over traditional learning models. It is a good idea to use
different types of material, and varying types of tests and quizzes to engage
everyone in an online class.
An important note on online quizzing and testing is the
ability a learner has to research the web for answers and creating tests should
be done with that in mind. If something is too hard and/or a little off topic
in terms of the material taught, it is likely to be researched online. If the
tests are too easy, they will be dismissed and passed over without much being learned.
Thus tests should be structured in a way that encourages learners to think back
to the material taught within the course rather than looking for answers
elsewhere.
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