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Evaluating online learning

Criteria for Evaluating Online Courses
Brief list of requirements for a successful online course. Use it as a checklist for your own work, or evaluate other courses you observe. In this way, you can assess your own course and compare it to others.

CSCL - Theorists' & Users' Perspectives by R. M. Crawley
"Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) is probably one of the fastest growing areas of research in the field of Computer-Aided Learning (CAL) today." So begins a scholarly work on collaborative learning and standards.

Evaluating What Really Matters in Computer-Based Education by Tom Reeves
This resource looks at online education from a theoretical, pedagogical perspective. Not only does it address the need for evaluation, it discusses why there has been a traditional lack of evaluation of course tools and environments. In its own words, the document exists to "describe fourteen pedagogical dimensions of CBE that have the potential to provide improved criteria for understanding, describing, and evaluating CBE."

New Directions in the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Educational Technology by Heinecke, W., Blasi, L., Milman, N., & Washington, L.
What is evaluation? This paper begins by questioning and follows the queries with cogent and creative answers. It is a perfect place to begin research into various evaluation methods. You should also try reading the paper that follows , Measurement Issues with Instructional and Home Learning Technologies. It asks questions like "How do we know if technology works?" and "What are we measuring" that are the basis for forming evaluation methods.

The Secretary's Conference of Educational Technology-1999
"Useful general article based on a case study - the authors' experiences designing online courses at Arizona University. The article presents an online course, discusses issues relating to online learning environments, reflects on the experiences derived from the authors' teaching online and, lastly, discusses the findings of the course evaluation."

Evaluating Online Learning by Clive Shepherd
A concise yet thorough discussion of why evaluation is necessary and the aspects of the learning experience that should be evaluated. Though directed toward the business world, the points presented here are right on target for all online instruction experiences.

Guide #4 Evaluation for Distance Educators
From the University of Iowa, College of Engineering. This short guide talks about the challenges of distance education evaluation, discusses types of evaluation, lists some evaluation areas, gives some tips on evaluation and provides links for further information.

Learning to care on the Internet: evaluating an online introductory social work course by Steve Hick
See how this instructor at the Carleton University in Canada evaluated his online course. This study reports on the methods and results of an evaluation of a social work class with a relatively diverse student attendance. It also raises another reason for evaluation; the need to underscore the positive impact Internet technologies can make on students' educational experience, regardless of their background and level of technical expertise.

Performance Based Cerification Criteria and Standards for Online Web-Based Instruction and Delivery
Addresses quality control in institutions of higher learning. This document is a rough overview of a report on the various tactics various university instructors are using to maintain educational quality while changing their teaching methods. "The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) commissioned The Institute for Higher Education Policy to investigate the emerging topic of quality assurance in technology-mediated distance learning programs in higher education. In April 1998 CHEA released an Executive Summary of their findings, selected portions of which appear here." Though brief, this reference gives an overview of the strategies presently employed by instructors.

Evaluating Online Courses
The third lesson in a course on building a Web-based learning environment. Created by Lone Eagle Consulting, it is more than a checklist or article. Read the suggested texts and perform the exercises to begin becoming an experienced and knowledgeable evaluator.

Evaluating Online Learning. Why is evaluation important today?
An overview of current evaluation research. Differences in evaluation of face-to-face and online courses and dimensions for evaluating learning in on-line environments. Power Point slideshow by Jeff Stuit Assistant Director of University of Illinois Online.

How to Evaluate an Online Course
A few assessment resources from the Distance Learning Resource Network, a high-quality Web site created to support the teachers participating in the U.S. Department of Education's Star Schools Program.