E-assessment of online academic courses via students' activities and perceptions. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soffer, Tal; Kahan, Tali; Livne, Eynat
• Is Part Of: Studies in educational evaluation. Volume 54(2017)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Student evaluation -- Evaluation utilization -- Evaluation methods -- Online learning -- Educational data mining -- E-assessment; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Tests et mesures en éducation -- Périodiques; 375.006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2016.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-491X

Abstract

Highlights: Multidimensional e-assessment of online courses using data mining and questionnaire. Highest activity found in videos, assignments, materials designed for the course. Various communication channels used, low activity found in discussion forums. Students perceived course workload as low, their general satisfaction was high. The designed pedagogical model found well-structured and contributing. Abstract: The rapid growth of online courses in higher education has led to developments in the field of e-assessment. This paper presents a study, which examined the quality of online academic courses using a multidimensional assessment of students' activities and perceptions, using educational data mining and an online questionnaire. The assessment focused on four aspects: instructional, communication, course workload and overall learning experience. The course instructional model was found well-structured. The video lectures, assignments and materials designed for the online course were the most used and contributing learning resources. However, the number of students who entered the video lectures decreased as the course progressed. Low activity was found in the discussion forums. Students perceived the course workload as low. Overall, the learning experience was high and the students were highly satisfied. These findings provide insights that may assist in improving the quality of future online courses.