This session consists of two learning tasks e-learning trends and its influence on the future of higher education and E- Assessment.
Week 5
There were four important parts discussed as part of e- learning in the discussion forum activity. Learning Analytics, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) & M- Learning, Virtual Realty (VR) & Augmented Reality (AR) and Maker Space. I will not touch individual concepts mentioned above as it was discussed briefly through the discussion forum but will be focusing on what is e- learning in higher education and its importance.
A learning system based on formalized teaching but with the
help of electronic resources is known as E-learning. While teaching can be
based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet forms the
major component of E-learning. E-learning can also be termed as a network
enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery of education is made
to a large number of recipients at the same or different times.
E-learning has become as necessity in higher education
institutions and is being deployed in educational establishments throughout the
world. The rise of e-learning technology used by higher education institutions
can be attributed to globalization. Teaching in the form of e ‑learning is a modern supplement,
and sometimes even an alternative to traditional education. It allows learning
at a very high level, available anywhere and at any time. The use of a specially prepared original
teaching material such as syllabus, lectures, interactive exercises, instructional
videos, and many other multimedia contents that make distance learning, become
effective and are also in line with expectations of students.
E-learning
is important for education because it can improve the quality of the learning
experience, and extend the reach of every lecturer and tutor.
- It can help remove barriers to achievement, by providing new and creative ways of motivating and engaging pupils and learners of all abilities, enabling and inspiring everyone to attain their educational potential.
- E-learning can support learning by offering differentiated learning, particularly for those who need support in literacy, numeracy and ICT.
- It offers a wide range of tools to enable teachers and learners to be innovative, creative and resourceful in all learning activities.
- Teachers and learners can easily customize digital learning resources to suit pace and level, appropriate to any learning style and ability.E-learning creates on-line communities of practice.
- The internet can bring learners, teachers, specialist communities, experts, practitioners and interest groups together to share ideas and good practice.
- It can provide an individualized learning experience for all learners, including those who are disadvantaged, disabled, exceptionally gifted, have special curriculum or learning needs or who are remote or away from their usual place of learning.
Week 6
E- Assessment
The entirety of the assessment
process requires significant effort due to the existence of mass lectures, the
need to assess the students more frequently and reduced resources. With the
growing use of information and communication technologies in higher, teachers
have become increasingly aware that technology‐supported educational systems
transformed the way students were assessed, enabling the acquisition and
development of new knowledge and skills. Assessment is a central element in
higher education to determine students' skills and knowledge, but also to
ensure that they achieve the desired learning outcomes. Assessment promotes
student learning and still works as a way for teachers to assess student
performance.
Benefits of e-assessment
There are many benefits that come with e-assessment, whether used for formative or summative purposes. In
e-assessment many students can be assessed within a given time frame, especially if their answers are marked
automatically. Other pedagogical benefits include immediate student and lecturer feedback; the ability to repeat
and randomize ATs/tests; the consistency and fairness of computer-marked assessment; students’ ability to
complete assessments anywhere and at any time (time saving); and opportunities for students to take
responsibility for their own learning.It is less costly to develop e-assessment tasks; it is easy to implement since
there is no need to hand out question papers and mark them afterwards; students with special needs or
disabilities can adjust the font size and change colours; voice notes can be created for students to listen to,
using their headphones; ATs are delivered securely, and marking is more reliable.
Further, marking rubric is one of the other very important concept of e- assessment which help's in justifying student grading during assessment. For this forum I used one of my teaching coarse PPA 511 and the assessment base was Essay Assignment. All the assignments were marked through Moodle and marking rubrics was attached as part of week 6 discussion.
Thank you.
Reference
Dorota.G (2016). E- Learning in Higher Education. The Person and the challenges. Vol.6.(2).p. 35-43. Polland.
Babu.G.S & Sridevi. K (2018). IMPORTANCE OF E- LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A STUDY. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH CULTURE SOCIETY. India.
Rolim. C & Isaias. P .(2018). Examining the use of e‐assessment in higher education: teachers and students’ viewpoints. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjet.12669
