Which of the assessment strategies in your reading this week are being used in this course?
The assessment strategies in this course, as highlighted in this week’s readings, include both formative and summative assessments.
Formative assessment provides learners with feedback to help them improve. For example, through blog posts, the professor offers constructive criticism, identifying areas for improvement. The three other assignments in the course are also formative. These assignments, part of the interactive learning resource assignment, include tasks that serve as drafts for the final project. The teacher gives feedback on these drafts, guiding students toward completing the final assignment. This continuous feedback aligns with the purpose of formative assessment, which focuses on helping students understand course objectives and weekly learning outcomes.
While formative assessments typically do not involve grading, in this course, they do contribute to the final grade. This introduces a summative aspect, as students receive a grade upon completing the assignments, with limited opportunities to revise. The course also requires significant effort from students to engage with the content and apply their knowledge in assignments. Additionally, it demands interaction with the teacher and peers for grading and feedback purposes.
Which are not being used? How does this compare to other courses?
In this course, authentic assessment does not seem to be utilized, as it typically involves real-world relevance and real-life situations. Instead, the course focuses on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of learning theories, design approaches, and assessment strategies for technology-mediated environments. This course primarily emphasizes formative assessment with a grading component, so we do not have summative assessments like tests and quizzes, which are common in other courses I have taken at UVIC.
As a sociology major, most of my assignments have been assessed through papers and tests/quizzes, which are given definitive grades and offer limited opportunities for feedback or revision. Sociology, being the study of society, often involves authentic assessment, applying to various real-life contexts such as the environment, politics, human health, and religion. This course is unlike any I have taken before, and I am really excited to delve into the material. It stands out from many of my other classes because it uses diverse communication channels that facilitate easy interaction with peers and teachers, creating a more cohesive and supportive learning environment. My fourth year of university was particularly challenging and often felt isolating, with most assignments completed individually and limited support from teachers. In contrast, this course feels like a breath of fresh air, offering a much-needed change.
What learning theories does these assessment strategies connect to from week 1?
The assessment strategies in this course align with multiple learning theories. Firstly, they connect to the behaviorist perspective by using reinforcement and feedback to develop learners’ habits. As previously discussed, we receive positive reinforcement and feedback to improve our assignments.
Secondly, the course incorporates the cognitivist theory. The assignments provide structured opportunities for students to apply what they have learned, helping to organize new information alongside existing knowledge.
Lastly, the course reflects constructivist principles. By requiring students to actively engage with content and apply their knowledge in assignments, it supports the constructivist belief that learners create their own understanding through experience and interaction. The hands-on tasks enable students to construct their understanding effectively.