Educational assessments have traditionally been done through quantitative methods like paper-and-pencil examinations. To make the transition to online learning assessment, there must be a shift in the paradigm (or thinking) of the school administrators, faculty and students. The traditional way of looking at assessment needs to change to incorporate new learning modalities and different learner behaviors. Assessment in an online environment should be more student-driven, focusing more on outcomes and competencies than on teacher-driven objectives and content.
The criterion in online assessment needs to be much more explicit so everyone understands it. Collaboration is also more evident in online learning modalities and must be addressed through learning-assessment techniques. Assessment in distance-learning environments is a more continuous process than the traditional final-exam method found in brick-and-mortar school settings. Assessment in online learning is geared more toward promoting learning of professional competencies using a variety of techniques than more traditional comprehension of academic content.
Job seekers, employers and company managers all want to know how to be or who is the best candidate for the job. One tool they all use is online learning assessments to discover what their communication styles are, what kinds of people are best suited for a particular job or task, or how to present themselves as the most likely candidate. Once hired, employees are often asked to participate in workshops that require online personality, leadership or other work-related assessments.
When the company management requires employees to complete some form of workshop with an online-learning-assessment component, there are generally good reasons. Perhaps a new project is coming up and the manager wants to make sure the team members assigned to it are compatible as well as capable of completing the project successfully. Sometimes there are personality conflicts at work and the management team wants everyone to learn how to get along based on knowledge of personality types.
Online learning assessment can take the place of paper-and-pencil assessment as in the case of personality testing in business. It is also a new way of looking at assessment of educational goals in an online learning environment. Assessment is happening all the time, through a variety of media, including testing, observation, modeling and performing. Recognizing how to utilize the information gained through assessment is key to both academic and professional success.