Thorpe (1998) defines assessment in the context of distance education as “the process of judging students' learned outcomes and assigning grades to individuals based on these outcomes” (p.267).
Both of these definitions tend toward a process that judges an individuals' learning (through internet/computer as the situation may be). Much like assessment in the classroom environment with the difference of some type of technology or media being used.
Thorpe (1998) discusses three key issues specific to (continuous) assessment in distance education: pacing, feedback and learning quality. Pacing of continuous assessment is often used in e-learning where students need to use what they have learned, at various times throughout the study semester/year (Thorpe, 1998). Feedback provides students with motivation to keep going in the course, and the quality of feedback from the educator is also important (Thorpe, 1998). As far as learning goes, Thorpe (1998) describes assessment as a “vehicle for learning” (p.270) as students process what they have learned in order to write an assignment; the assessment is a way to make sure learning goals are achieved, rather than merely checking learning has occurred.
(A little background on) Assessment in E-learning
What is online/e-assessment?
Wikipedia defines online assessment as “ the process used to measure certain aspects of information for a set purpose where the assessment is delivered via a computer connected to a network “ ( http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Online_assessment&oldid=377453950)
Thorpe (1998) defines assessment in the context of distance education as “the process of judging students' learned outcomes and assigning grades to individuals based on these outcomes” (p.267).
Both of these definitions tend toward a process that judges an individuals' learning (through internet/computer as the situation may be). Much like assessment in the classroom environment with the difference of some type of technology or media being used.
Thorpe (1998) discusses three key issues specific to (continuous) assessment in distance education: pacing, feedback and learning quality. Pacing of continuous assessment is often used in e-learning where students need to use what they have learned, at various times throughout the study semester/year (Thorpe, 1998).
Feedback provides students with motivation to keep going in the course, and the quality of feedback from the educator is also important (Thorpe, 1998). As far as learning goes, Thorpe (1998) describes assessment as a “vehicle for learning” (p.270) as students process what they have learned in order to write an assignment; the assessment is a way to make sure learning goals are achieved, rather than merely checking learning has occurred.
To learn more about what online or e-assessment is, go to the following section Traditional Classroom vs Virtual Classroom.