Since its launch in early 2004, the Framework’s practical web-based guide Assessing Online has been racking up the hits. It’s not hard to see why. The easy-to-use step-by-step guide shows how to use the web to save time, provide variety for learners and meet quality requirements as you go. The click-and-view gallery shows a wide range of online assessment samples. What’s more, it’s got advice and tools useful if you are working in a classroom, a workplace, using online delivery, or a blend of approaches – and whether you are a manager, a developer, a trainer or an assessor.

Well, no – it doesn’t do skinny cappuccino – but it will soon do assessment to go. Read on.

7 Tips for Using the Web for Assessment

The TAFE frontiers project team has now put Assessing Online to the test in many hands-on workshops, and here are some of the clear messages from the VET professionals who’ve tried it:

Think benefits
There are no prizes for going online for its own sake – just the practical rewards for you, your learners and your organisation. Look for the ways online can provide benefits (they’re on the homepage of the site), and target what’s important to you and your place.

Start from where you are
You don’t have to be heavily into e-learning, or a wiz at software, or in a dedicated e-learning team – you can use simple and effective web assessment strategies to add variety, give your learners flexibility and, above all, save you time.

Get into quizzes
Online tests are great for helping learners check their recall and understanding in their own time, at their own pace. They are pretty simple to make and use, there are lots of different types (try crosswords, drag and drop or fill the gaps) and if you can use learning management software (eg WebCT, Blackboard or Janison) the marking, record-keeping and reporting takes care of itself.

Get over quizzes
People think that the web only does quizzes because that’s what it’s used for in lots of e-learning. Big mistake. Have a look at webquests, role plays, simulations and all the other online strategies in the Assessing Online gallery to see the possibilities.

Assess anything
Again, easy to make the mistake of thinking e-learning is always fully online and at a distance – “how can you assess competency online?” Well, VET teachers are using the web environment to help assess just about anything, including group work, high-level thinking strategies, complex interpersonal performances and practical skills.  (Of course, online won’t always be the best solution if you have options – check out the case studies on the site.)

Be systematic
You get best results if you match the assessment approach with the learners, which means thinking through the choices. Assessing Online sets out the stages, tasks and decisions you need to follow.

Document as you go
Compliance doesn’t have to be another add-on chore. Record your process as you go and you’ve nailed AQTF. Assessing Online provides handy Word templates to save you time.

Pictured from left to right -
Lilian Austin (Swinburne), Terry Taylor (AMES) and Clint Smith (TAFE frontiers). Greg Bird (Swinburne) not pictured.

New – Assessing Online, the take-away!

By popular request, in October Assessing Online will also be available in a convenient new downloadable pack. This means you can:

• View and print the whole Assessing Online guide as a single document (Word or pdf)
  for reading, discussing or customising
  
• With the guide document on-screen and your browser open, follow links to any web tools and resources listed
  
• Access files for the editable templates and guides from your hard drive (after a one-step download)
  
• Print or edit checklists, rubrics and other tools from the site.

Register for our Topic Alert service and receive notification when the Assessing Online pack is available at http://resources.flexiblelearning.net.au/register.html (click the 'Organisational resources' option) or check the Assessing Online homepage from mid-October.

Even newer – E-learning and Online Assessment, the merger!

In January 2005 Assessing Online will become part of a new, bigger Framework site called Teaching with the Web. The new site covers e-learning as well as assessment and integrates the two. It will feature:

• An enlarged click-and-view gallery with over 100 samples of more than 20 different e-learning and assessment strategies (eg demonstrations, role plays, web quests)
  
• Detailed guides for using each strategy (when to use, steps involved, tips, tools and resources)
  
• Case studies of key approaches to e-learning design in VET (collaborative learning, problem-based learning, simulated workplace etc).

Each case study will provide a detailed look at the design of an e-learning course, including audio interviews with the course teams, a map of the resources, activities and technologies used, as well as samples of key course documents and handouts. Almost like being there - reality PD has arrived!