Assessment in Online Learning
MEd Interdisciplinary topic for practicing professionals
Program Overview
The focus of this certificate is on current conceptualizations and enactments of online assessment practices. It addresses assessment as a key component of teaching and learning and explores its distinct characteristics, affordances, and complexities in inclusive, online learning contexts. Students will inquire into, and engage in, the design, development, and evaluation of technology-enabled assessment experiences for all learners. Within each course, students will apply their knowledge and skills in designing, implementing and/or critically considering online assessment strategies and practices. At the end of the certificate, students will have developed a portfolio of online assessment strategies and instruments to be used in practice.
Program Details
Through the four courses of this MEd Interdisciplinary topic:
- Students will develop understandings of:
- research, practices, and trends in assessment within technology-enabled learning environments,
- theoretical, practical, and ethical implications of assessing learning in synchronous and asynchronous online environments, and
- the relationships between online assessment, online pedagogy, and inclusive practices in creating and attending to student learning goals.
- Students will also develop their ability to create and use effective online assessments
Online learning, blending learning, and the use of digital tools in face-to-face instruction have become an increasingly common aspect of educational endeavours. As they work in these new contexts educators need to reconceptualise key aspects of teaching and learning, including assessment practices. This certificate is designed to meet the learning needs of educators working to reconsider their assessment practices in and for contemporary digital environments.
In particular, this certificate will be of interest to:
- K-12 teachers
- Instructional leaders
- Post-secondary instructors
- Community-based educators
Courses in this program are offered fully online. Courses are held in both an asynchronous environment (D2L) and a synchronous (real-time) environment (Zoom) which allows instructors to virtually meet and talk with students and experience a live exchange of ideas, hear class presentations and do group work with access to a whiteboard. For additional information regarding online delivery, refer to the Online Delivery & eLearn website.
A registration package will be sent to new students after they have been admitted. Registration for the summer term will be available in late winter. Fall and Winter registration opens in the spring. Your Graduate Program Administrator will send more information about registration to you.
Fee details are available through the University Calendar. An explanation of fees is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies' website.
The University of Calgary offers multiple ways to meet the cost of your education. Please refer to the Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries page to learn more about options available to students. For additional information, please contact Student Financial Support.
Please refer to the MEd Interdisciplinary page for the latest Admission Requirements and Transcripts information.
Program Schedule & Course Descriptions
- Program begins each Summer
- Outlines are normally available 1-2 weeks prior to the start of term in D2L
- 3 units per course
Term 1 - Summer
Technology-Enabled Assessment
This course will introduce and explore foundational and contemporary concepts, issues, affordances, and challenges in technology-enabled assessment. It will also explore relationships between online pedagogy and assessment.
Key ideas and topics:
- Engaged teaching and learning designs for flexible, barrier free learning within technology-enabled learning environments
- Principles and practices of effective and inclusive online assessment
- Strategies for assessment of, for and, as learning in online environments
- Creating intentional, responsive, and assessment-rich learning environments to meet all students’ learning needs
Registration Info:
EDER 678.xx
Term 2 - Fall
Ethical Assessment in Online Learning
This course will explore assessments and associated pedagogies that support ethical teaching and learning in online environments.
Key ideas and topics:
- The role of assessment in creating engagement with critical learning processes and supporting students as key and responsible actors in their learning
- The role of assessment in developing an online learning community and ethical educational practices
- Key assessment concepts, such as validity, reliability, and academic integrity, as they occur in online environments
Registration Info:
EDER 678.xx
Term 3 - Winter
Data and Evidence in Online Assessment
This course will explore sources and practices for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting meaningful data about, and evidence of, learning in online assessment contexts.
Key ideas and topics:
- Transformations and consistencies in learning artifacts and information between traditional and online assessments
- The role of learning technologies in gathering, organizing, and analyzing formative and summative evidence of learning
- Structured data, embedded data collection, and learning analytics in learning management systems
- Ethical practices of educational learning analytics
- Applications of learning analytics in designing and personalizing student learning
Registration Info:
EDER 678.xx
Term 4 - Spring
Designing Online Assessments
This course will engage students in responding to an online assessment need in a way that advances informed, inclusive, and ethical practice.
Key ideas and topics:
- Investigations of challenges and opportunities related to online assessment
- Articulating a rationale for and designing a pragmatic, context-based solution or innovation to address an online assessment challenge/opportunity
- Enacting a research-informed solution or innovation by gathering, analyzing, and reporting information about online learning and to critically reflect upon and iterate the design.
Registration Info:
EDER 678.xx
Have Questions? Connect with Us
Graduate Program Administrator
Lisa Dale
Academic Program Coordinator
Dr. Jennifer Lock
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