Chapter 4: Student Learning Assessment

Opportunities and Challenges: This video explores the benefits and challenges of assessment in blended learning environments, such as increased flexibility, instant feedback, and the need to align assessments and ensure academic integrity.

Practical Solutions and Tools: The video presents practical solutions and free tools to overcome the challenges, including backwards design, assessment maps, question pools, open-book assessments, plagiarism detection, and auto-grading features.

Blended Learning Assessment Toolkit: Viewers are encouraged to explore the "Blended Learning Assessment Toolkit" for a comprehensive list of resources to enhance their assessment practices in blended learning courses.

Before In-Person Sessions: Use recorded lectures, video content with tools like EdPuzzle, Screencastify, or Google Forms to gauge retention, and online quizzes or surveys to assess prior knowledge and identify learning gaps. Asynchronous discussions or reflection prompts on LMS discussion boards can foster critical thinking and engagement.

During In-Person Sessions: Implement active learning through presentations, demonstrations, and collaborative projects. Utilize short polls or quizzes with tools like Kahoot, Mentimeter, and Quizziz for real-time feedback. Proctored exams can ensure assessment integrity for high-stakes testing.

After In-Person Sessions: Reinforce learning with online homework assignments, practice exercises, peer review activities, and reflective journals or blogs to synthesize learning and set future goals.

Introduction to Padlet: Padlet is a digital bulletin board where users can stick notes, pictures, videos, and links. With a free account, instructors can create up to 3 padlets to use in blended learning without requiring students to sign up.

Assessment Tools: Padlet offers grading options, comments, likes, and votes for responses. Instructors can use Padlet for quick check-ins, polls, surveys, and to gather student feedback, enhancing engagement and understanding.

Collaborative and Creative Uses: Padlet supports group projects, team assessments, and digital portfolios. Students can collaborate on assignments, share ideas, and showcase their best work, promoting creativity and continuous learning.