INTRODUCTION

• The Covid-19 pandemic has been declared by World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. 
• As a result of the pandemic, all schools are needed to be closed and a policy has been regulated in the teaching and learning system. 
• Teachers and students are required to convert the physical teaching and learning mode into online mode.
• At the same time, teachers are required to carry out formative assessment through the online teaching and learning. This makes teachers job become more pressing and difficult.
• In order to lighten teachers’ job, Jackson Best (2020) has proposed eight online assessment tips for teachers to consider. These tips will have teachers to save their precious time.

TIPS ON ONLINE FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

The eight tips proposed by Jackson Best (2020) for online formative assessments are discussed below:

1.   Peer Assessment

• Teacher provides some examples of feedback that is specific, constructive and detailed.
• Teacher should partner students carefully if you are concerned about the integrity of peer feedback. 
• Make sure peer feedback takes a written form so that you can access it. Students’ feedback is often more considered when committed to writing as well.
• Use the feedback itself as a formative assessment of the student providing that feedback.

2.   Independent Projects

• Teacher scaffolds each section of the task (e.g. brainstorming, researching, creating) with clear a clear model.
• Set aside plenty of time because project-based learning is rich, and it cannot be rushed.
• Use this as an opportunity to teach students web research skills: searching, finding credible sources and referencing.
• Schedule regular check-ins where students provide a progress update, but step out of the way to allow for independent learning.
• Set clear submission requirements: timeline, file type, and destination.

3.  Jigsaw Projects

• Teacher can let students assign their own roles within the group. Just ensure that you know the responsibility of each student.
• Provide individual marks for each member of the group by writing a single piece of detailed feedback for the group as a whole.

4.   Self-Assessment

• Productive self-assessment takes time to master. Teacher must make it a regular activity.
• Model the language and self-questioning used in order to generate productive reflection.
• Reward the students sincerely and honestly.
• Use self-assessments to inform one-on-one discussion with a student or parental conversations.
• Keep a record of student self-assessments. These can be used to help students chart their own progress.
• Scaffold the process carefully. Provide a structured resource with prompts if students are writing an extended reflection.

5.   Learning Journals

• Teacher plans a platform where learning journals are visible to you alone if students are hesitant to share with their peers.
• Students are asked to use journal entries to inform future learning activities for individuals.
• Model the reflection process for journal writing. Self-questioning ( examples are: “What interested me most?”, “What part did I find hardest?”) is an effective way of encouraging deeper reflection.

6.   Portfolios

• Teacher sets a goal for your students’ portfolios. 
• Decide whether you want your students’ portfolios to demonstrate mastery or progress. This will help to determine what pieces of work should be included.
• Instruct students to include set pieces of work, and also let them choose some of their own. This will give them ownership over their portfolios and prompt self-reflection.
• Encourage reflection as part of the portfolios. For example, each work piece could be accompanied by a caption where the student explains why they chose to include it.

7.   Video Presentations and Podcasts

• Teacher coaches students on the basics of online verbal communication, such as speaking clearly and into a microphone.
• Have students do a test submission of their files so that they can troubleshoot any uploading issues.
• Students could do live presentations to their peers over Zoom, Teams or Skype if teacher has the capacity of the resources. They can also share their screens on these platforms.
• Remind students to put the emphasis on the content of their presentation. Engaging multimedia should take the place of good verbal expression and information.

8.   Online Discussion

• Teacher should set a protocol for online discussion which briefs students on respectful and effective communication strategies.
• Then promote quality contributions to online discussion as opposed to quantity. Specify a certain amount of responses. 
• Monitor and facilitate online discussions with leading questions and prompts.

CONCLUSION

It is hoped that the tips as shared and discussed above would give some insights and help teachers in carrying out formative online assessment.

Disclaimer: This piece of writing is general and is only for reading and sharing purposes. It has no concern with Ministry of Education (MOE) Assessment policy.

Reference:

Online Assessment Strategies for Distance Teachers and Learners. Jackson Best, April 2020 3plearning.com