http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#discussion http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12578
What have you tried?
What works for you?
What definitely does not work?]]> Karin Kirk 1277317320 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12578 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12591 Kelly Dilliard 1277319480 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12591 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12592
Some of my colleagues who teach the huge non-majors classes spend an inordinate amount of time programming the quiz test bank questions and stuff like that. It seems to work for them but they have to have a dedicated instructional designer who is tech savvy to handle it all, most of the time.]]> Eliza Richardson 1277319540 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12592 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12606 Mel Huff 1277349300 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12606 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12611
For weekly quizzes and exercises I use multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, but not ones that are easily answered verbatim from the text. For example, an image may show a type of volcano they're asked to identify or a graph from which they're asked to estimate a river's flood recurrence interval. These questions include both computational (e.g., plate motion rates or radiometric ages) and non-computational (e.g., relative dating of sequences of events) problem solving as well.

I also include two writing assignments in which students write outlines and then abstracts of two recent topical journal articles (typically, from Scientific American). These assignments enable me to assess my students' abilities to think critically about how data and conclusions are linked in a scientific paper and to write concise, grammatically-correct narratives. I use a rubric to assess both the outlines and abstracts, and provide lots of written feedback.

This issue of assessment is something I would like to hear more folks weigh in on because I suspect there are lots of different strategies that work well for assessment. ]]> Bill Hirt 1277353440 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12611 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12774 Jennifer Latimer 1277691840 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12774 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12862
First, students are to complete all online expeditions, including required discussions, by the required dates given in course schedule. Students keep the expedition worksheets each week as they will be submitted at end of the course in workbook (portfolio);

For the interactive discussion types and writers - 16% of grade - participation in electronic discussions;

For the critical thinkers and writers - 10% of grade - one essay (approximately 3-4 double-spaced pages) on marine fish stock assessment and management methods;

For the test takers (including math questions) 54% of grade - Open notes and book quiz and two exams (also an 300 word essay question documenting and describing research experience


For the imaginative and reflective student who writes well - 10% of grade - Final exam involves developing a research grant proposal of an original idea

For the student who works hard, but effort may not be fully reflected in exams and writing assignments - 10% of grade - Course workbook of all online expedition work (due at end of course); this is how students turn in and receive credit for completing the weekly web-based assignments ]]> Donald Reed 1277837520 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/assessment_stra.html#post12862