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ACC Distance Learning Course Design and Delivery

DL COURSE EVALUATION

DL Instructor's Evaluation of Student Progress

One type of evaluation in a DL course is the instructor's evaluation of the student's progress. This can be done in several ways. As outlined in the design and development section, the instructor uses formal evaluation techniques such as exams, tests, quizzes, presentations, assignments, graded class exercises, group projects, just to name a few, to gauge the progress of a student against an academic standard established at the beginning of the semester. This standard, how it is calculated and how a student's performance will be measured against the standard, is communicated during the course orientation and outlined explicitly in an instructor's course syllabus.

Secure computer based tests are available within Blackboard and are delivered only from an authorized ACC Testing Center. These are a formal evaluation

Faculty can also implement paper and pencil exams which include blue book essay exams. These exams are offered in an ACC Testing Center and are also considered secure exams because they are administered by, and delivered within the Testing Centers.

Non-secure assessments are also delivered within a Blackboard course content area, however, they can be delivered anywhere a student has access to the Internet. In addition, instructors can implement non-secure exams through an external web page, through exam development software, and so on.

Informal Evaluation Techniques

Some informal evaluation techniques which an instructor can use to gauge a student's progress during a semester might include such things as: a student's participation in group discussions or online class activities, surveys, feedback forums, discussion board topic posting, blog postings, extra credit activities, peer reviews, student self-assessment, etc.

Timely and Meaningful Feedback

In order for formal and informal assessment instruments to be effective, however, the instructor needs to give the student timely and meaningful feedback.

Some of the key questions to address when determining the effectiveness of evaluating a student's grasp on the course content are:

  • Is the feedback provided to students about assignments, exercises, tests and other course assessments timely? Is there mechanism such as virtual office hours, email, on-going teleconference sessions, where the student can receive timely feedback? (i.e. within hours of an assessment, etc.). Has this timeframe been worked out in advance and communicated with the students?
  • Is the feedback meaningful? In other words, does it provide a sufficient level of detail where the student could use the feedback to make positive changes
  • Does the DL course provide opportunities for students to self-assess their work and make adjustments? Proactive students who are responsible for their own education and who can make adjustments throughout the course of a semester are important components to whether or not a student successfully completes a DL course.

The feedback is very important because, if done early enough, an instructor can provide necessary information and resources to students which can assist them in making important decisions. Some of the information which can be provided to students include: ACC college and DL resources, tutoring information, learning labs, additional course related resources, instructor office hours, Early Intervention program, DL counselor, etc.

Faculty Evaluation of a DL Course

It is important for DL instructors to monitor and track the overall effectiveness of their courses on an on-going basis. Tracking what is working and what is not working and making the necessary, timely adjustments can significantly contribute to implementing a a successful DL course.

Evaluation of a DL Instructor and Course by DL Students

Students participate in the DL faculty evaluation process by going to the “Student Online Services” webpage at: https://onlineserv.austincc.edu/WebAdvisor/WebAdvisor and selecting the option to conduct a DL Faculty Evaluation.  

A listing of the student’s current DL courses will be displayed, along with the faculty names teaching the courses.  Students will select each course/faculty member, complete the evaluation and submit it.  Once the course evaluation has been submitted, the student will no longer be able to evaluate that course/instructor.  Students will not be able to use the online evaluation once they have received a grade for the section.

Faculty can preview the process at http://www.austincc.edu/ITdocs/WebAdvWeb/faceval/ . This FAQ document is also accessible on the Student Online Services Faculty Evaluation screens for the students.

Part of the DL instructors' responsibility with DL courses is to inform their students when the college is conducting DL faulty evaluations. Links to access online evaluations and other evaluation information should be provided to students via course announcements, emails, etc.  

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