How do virtual classrooms handle assessment and grading?

Okay, so I’m a teacher transitioning to a fully online learning environment this fall. I’ve got a handle on the live sessions and asynchronous content delivery, but I’m really struggling to figure out how to effectively assess student learning and assign grades in a way that’s fair and prevents cheating.

Specifically, I’m teaching high school history (US and World) and my usual methods of in-class essays, document analysis, and group presentations just aren’t translating well. I’m also worried about students just Googling answers on tests or having someone else do the work for them.

What are some practical strategies and specific online tools that other teachers are using successfully for assessment and grading in virtual classrooms? I need ideas for:

• Formative assessment: How can I check for understanding during and after lessons without just relying on raised hands (or chat box responses)?
• Summative assessment: What types of tests, projects, or assignments are effective at measuring student learning in an online setting?
• Preventing cheating: What security measures or alternative assessment designs can I implement to minimize academic dishonesty?
• Grading: What are some tips for providing meaningful feedback and accurately assigning grades based on online work? Do rubrics need to be significantly altered for online assignments?

I’m open to anything, from specific software recommendations to pedagogical approaches. I’m feeling overwhelmed and need some concrete advice to get started.

Answer

Virtual classrooms employ a variety of methods for assessment and grading, mirroring and adapting traditional in-person approaches while leveraging the capabilities of technology. These methods can be broadly categorized as formative and summative, each playing a distinct role in evaluating student learning.

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessments are designed to provide ongoing feedback to both students and instructors, allowing for adjustments in teaching and learning strategies throughout a course. In virtual classrooms, these assessments often take the following forms:

• Online Quizzes and Polls: Short, frequent quizzes and polls can be administered using built-in features of the learning management system (LMS) or dedicated quiz platforms. These can cover recently taught material, gauge understanding of concepts, and identify areas where students may be struggling. Instant feedback is often provided, allowing students to immediately address misunderstandings. Polling features can be used during live sessions to check for comprehension in real-time.

• Discussion Forums: Online discussion forums provide a platform for students to engage with course content and with each other. Instructors can pose questions, facilitate debates, and monitor student participation to assess their understanding and critical thinking skills. Grading can be based on the quality and frequency of posts, the depth of engagement with the material, and the ability to respond thoughtfully to others. Rubrics are often used to guide grading consistency.

• Short Writing Assignments and Reflections: Regular writing assignments, such as short essays, reflections on readings, or summaries of key concepts, can help students solidify their understanding and provide instructors with insights into their learning progress. These assignments can be submitted electronically and graded using online tools that allow for detailed feedback.

• Peer Assessment: Peer assessment tools allow students to evaluate each other’s work based on predefined criteria. This can be a valuable formative assessment strategy, as it encourages students to critically analyze the work of others and reflect on their own understanding. The instructor typically sets the criteria for evaluation and moderates the process.

• "Muddiest Point" Activities: Instructors can ask students to identify the "muddiest point" or the most confusing aspect of a lesson. This provides valuable feedback for the instructor, allowing them to address areas of confusion in subsequent lessons.

• Interactive Simulations and Games: Interactive simulations and educational games can provide engaging opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and receive immediate feedback on their performance. These activities can be particularly effective for assessing skills and problem-solving abilities.

Summative Assessment:

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate student learning at the end of a unit, module, or course. They typically carry a higher weight in the overall grade and are used to determine whether students have met the learning objectives. Common summative assessment methods in virtual classrooms include:

• Online Exams: Online exams can be administered using secure testing platforms that often include features such as time limits, randomized question order, and proctoring tools to prevent cheating. Different question types can be used, including multiple-choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions.

• Essays and Research Papers: Essays and research papers require students to demonstrate their understanding of course concepts and their ability to conduct research, analyze information, and present their findings in a clear and coherent manner. These assignments are typically submitted electronically and graded using rubrics that outline the specific criteria for evaluation.

• Projects and Presentations: Projects and presentations allow students to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world problem or scenario. Students may work individually or in groups to develop a project, create a presentation, or deliver a performance. These assignments are often assessed based on the quality of the research, the creativity and originality of the work, and the effectiveness of the presentation.

• Portfolios: Electronic portfolios allow students to showcase their work over time and demonstrate their growth and development. Portfolios can include a variety of artifacts, such as essays, projects, presentations, and reflections. They are often assessed based on the quality of the work, the clarity of the presentation, and the evidence of learning.

• Case Studies: Case studies present students with real-world scenarios and require them to analyze the situation, identify the key issues, and propose solutions. This type of assessment can be used to evaluate students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Simulations and Virtual Labs: Simulations and virtual labs provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in a simulated environment. These activities can be used to assess students’ ability to perform tasks, solve problems, and make decisions in a realistic setting.

Grading:

Grading in virtual classrooms is typically based on a combination of formative and summative assessments. Instructors may use a weighted average to calculate the final grade, with different assessments carrying different weights. Rubrics are often used to ensure consistency and transparency in grading. Learning Management Systems (LMS) typically provide tools for managing grades, tracking student progress, and generating reports.

• Rubrics: Rubrics are essential for clearly defining expectations for assignments and providing students with specific feedback on their work. They outline the criteria for evaluation and describe the different levels of performance for each criterion. Rubrics can be used for a variety of assessments, including essays, projects, presentations, and discussion forum posts.

• Gradebooks: LMS platforms include integrated gradebooks that allow instructors to track student performance on all assessments. These gradebooks can automatically calculate final grades based on a weighted average or other grading scheme.

• Feedback: Providing timely and constructive feedback is crucial for student learning in virtual classrooms. Instructors can provide feedback on assignments using online tools that allow them to annotate documents, record audio or video comments, and provide written feedback.

• Plagiarism Detection: Plagiarism detection software is often used to check student work for originality. These tools can identify instances of plagiarism and help instructors to ensure academic integrity.

• Accessibility: Ensuring that assessments are accessible to all students is essential. This may involve providing alternative formats for assessments, such as audio or video recordings, or allowing students to use assistive technology.

Proctoring:

Maintaining academic integrity is a significant concern in virtual classrooms. Several proctoring methods are used to ensure that students are not cheating on online exams. These methods include:

• Live Proctoring: A human proctor monitors students remotely during the exam using webcams and screen-sharing software.
• Automated Proctoring: Software uses artificial intelligence to detect suspicious behavior during the exam, such as eye movements, keyboard activity, and background noise.
• Browser Lockdown: Software restricts students from accessing other websites or applications during the exam.
• Question Randomization: Questions are presented in a random order to each student to prevent cheating.
• Time Limits: Exams are timed to discourage students from looking up answers.

The specific assessment and grading methods used in a virtual classroom will vary depending on the subject matter, the learning objectives, and the instructor’s preferences. However, the goal is always to provide students with meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their learning and to provide them with timely and constructive feedback to support their academic success.