ASSESSMENT METHODS & TOOLS FOR ODL Philemon Mahlangu UNISA, Florida Campus Tel: (011)

ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION Outcomes Identify different assessment methods, tools and techniques used in ODL Analyse, critique the various assessment tools (strengths and weaknesses) Propose the most suitable tool/s for ODL in your institution/college/department Evaluate the possibility of integrating some of the tools (refer to SAQA Criteria and Guidelines for Integrated Assessment) Review the implication of assessment tools/methods on teaching and learning in ODL Give your own paradigmatic philosophy re ODL assessment

ASSESSMENT TOOLS INTERNET ( , web tools) COMPUTER (Mark reading cards) PORTFOLIOS (work based, group) TERM PAPERS (assignments, exams) ORAL/WRITTEN TESTS VIDEOCONFERENCING (real-time, group) SELF-EVALUATING TOOLS (CDs, HTML) CLASSROOM (Simulations, recordings, voice-overs, etc.)

THE INTERNET Advantages Reduce costs Simpler corrections spread to many learners at one time Various possibilities for assessing with multimedia Interaction is enhanced Collaborative writing is facilitated More ease in sending feedback (formative)

Assessment techniques/methods 1.NORM REFENCING - Norm is a standard. - Learners performance is compared to one another - Uses class averages - Does not indicate what the learner has learnt or not learnt

ASSESSMENT METHODS/TECHNIQUES 2. CRITERION REFERENCING - Criteria are used as reference points - Criteria are specified upfront - Criteria spells out the intended outcomes (behaviour, skills, attitudes, etc)

ASSESSMENT METHODS/TECHNIQUES 3. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - During the learning process - Informs each learner’s learning experience - Scaffolding, growth and progress - Holistic, effective

ASSESSMENT METHODS/TECHNIQUES 4. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - At end of a learning experience - Norm referenced - Test, exam, portfolio - How much the learner can remember - Trimesterly, semesterly, annually, etc.

ADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT Learner’s progress not confined to one test in a year Learners are aware of how they progress Extraneous factors (sickness, etc) don’t disadvantage learners Success is no longer based on tests and exams only Effective way to motivate and facilitate outcomes based learning

INFORMAL ASSESSMENT Takes place without the learner being aware of it - Report cards and checklists are kept of who completes homework - Observing/noting who participates in class - Feedback/remarks given at the spur of the moment

SELF-ASSESSMENT Helps learners to think critically about their own work If properly done, learner has a good idea about their progress It encourages learners to take more responsibility for their own learning Teachers find out what learners value as important in their own work Teachers can give learners much more meaningful feedback

PEER ASSESSMENT Advantages Peer assessment is real attempt at involving learners in assessment Involves more than one person Usually done through pairs and groups Learners can help each other (corporative learning?)

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT DEFINITION …”a structured process for gathering evidence and making judgments about an individual’s performance in relation to registered national standards and qualifications” (SAQA, 2001: 16) * An important mechanism whereby evidence of applied competence can be presented.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT REFERS TO…: Assessing a number of outcomes together Assessing a number of assessment criteria together Assessing a number of unit standards together Using a combination of assessment methods and instructions for an outcome/outcomes Collecting evidence from other sources such as supervisor’s reports Acquiring evidence from other sources such as supervisor’s reports, testimonials, portfolios of work previously done, logbooks, journals, etc. SAQA, 2001:55

RANGE OF INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT 1. Real life application - foundational, practical and reflexive competence 2. Personal qualities - knowledge, skills and values 3. Consistency in task performance - capability to undertake whole activity being assessed rather than one outcome …

RANGE OF INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT 4. Qualification level - opportunity for learners to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across unit standards. - Competence is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification

RANGE OF INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT 5. Contexts - integrated tasks and activities - variety of methods, tools, techniques in assessing learner’s performance Department of Education (Doe): Draft revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades R - 9