Online Learning and Assessment in Higher Education

Dr Benson is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Design and e-Learning at Monash University, Australia. She has an extensive background in adult education, distance education and the use of educational technologies in higher education. She has initiated the design and development of many ‘workbooks’ to support academic professional development workshops on aspects of teaching, and to act as standalone resources for staff. Recent workbooks have included an orientation to educational design and e-learning, and covered specific issues relating to online communication and online assessment. Dr Brack has educational design experience at Melbourne and Deakin Universities in Australia, and currently works at Monash University. She has an academic background in biochemistry and pursued research and teaching in the discipline before becoming increasingly interested in the challenges and theories of teaching and learning. She approaches online technologies from a functional perspective, incorporating social software (blogs, wikis, podcasting, etc.) and using their networking potential where this contributes positively to the learning and teaching experience.

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsList of figures and tablesAbout the authorsChapter 1: Where to startIntroductionHow students learnWhat is good teaching practice in higher education?What are the characteristics of your students?What are your characteristics as a teacher?The learning and teaching contextIdentifying the learning objectivesReconceptualising your teachingIllustrating the ideas in this chapter ...SummaryChapter 2: Teaching with technology - considering your optionsIntroductionTechnology affordances and learning outcomesInstitutional policy and infrastructureThe evolution of internet technologies for learning and assessmentFirst generation internet technologies: options for interactionFirst generation internet technologies: options for managing contentWeb 2.0 and other new options for interactionWeb 2.0 and other new options for managing contentEven newer options …Student supportManagement and administrative issuesDeciding your optionsIllustrating the ideas in this chapter …SummaryChapter 3: Online learning design and developmentIntroductionTheories and models guiding online learning designAligning learning objectives, activities and assessmentDesigning online learning activities, resources and supportInteraction between users: online discussion activitiesInteraction between users: activities using other communication formsInteraction with contentCreation of content: individual and group activitiesGiving activity feedback: principles, options and issuesDeveloping your designGeneral student support issuesManaging and administering online learningIllustrating the ideas in this chapter …SummaryChapter 4: Online assessmentIntroductionWhy assess?Who assesses?Some aspects of assessment designUsing the online environment for assessmentQuizzes for summative assessmentSupporting studentsManaging and administering assessmentIllustrating the ideas in this chapter …SummaryChapter 5: EvaluationIntroductionSome evaluation conceptsEvaluation and online learning design, development and implementationDesigning your evaluation planManaging, reporting and acting on the evaluationActing on the evaluationIllustrating the ideas in this chapter …SummaryChapter 6: ConclusionIntroductionIntroducing online learning and assessment – a brief reviewAccommodating emerging technologiesIllustrating the ideas in this chapter …SummaryChapter 7: Introducing online learning and assessment - a planning guideReferencesIndex