ERIC Number: EJ940650
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1832-8342
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Sustainable Assessment for Large Science Classes: Non-Multiple Choice, Randomised Assignments through a Learning Management System
Schultz, Madeleine
Journal of Learning Design, v4 n3 p50-62 2011
This paper reports on the development of a tool that generates randomised, non-multiple choice assessment within the BlackBoard Learning Management System interface. An accepted weakness of multiple-choice assessment is that it cannot elicit learning outcomes from upper levels of Biggs' SOLO taxonomy. However, written assessment items require extensive resources for marking, and are susceptible to copying as well as marking inconsistencies for large classes. This project developed an assessment tool which is valid, reliable and sustainable and that addresses the issues identified above. The tool provides each student with an assignment assessing the same learning outcomes, but containing different questions, with responses in the form of words or numbers. Practice questions are available, enabling students to obtain feedback on their approach before submitting their assignment. Thus, the tool incorporates automatic marking (essential for large classes), randomised tasks to each student (reducing copying), the capacity to give credit for working (feedback on the application of theory), and the capacity to target higher order learning outcomes by requiring students to derive their answers rather than choosing them. Results and feedback from students are presented, along with technical implementation details. (Contains 2 tables and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Feedback (Response), Student Evaluation, Large Group Instruction, Science Instruction, Integrated Learning Systems, Computer Assisted Testing, Multiple Choice Tests, Sustainability, Test Construction, Adaptive Testing, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Science Tests, Chemistry, Thinking Skills, College Students, Student Surveys, Computer Software Evaluation
Queensland University of Technology. GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia. Tel: +61-7-313-80585; Fax: +61-7-313-83474; e-mail: jld@qut.edu.au; Web site: http://www.jld.qut.edu.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

Peer reviewed
