Effective online instruction: assessment, grading, and time management

¶ … Online Class

Being an online instructor

The current learning trends are becoming predominantly online based and many instructors find it more convenient adopting this mode of learning as opposed to the traditional classroom-based learning. It is not to say that the online-based learning should replace the traditional classroom setting, but there is need for adaptability of either modes where necessary. The following are the major areas that I will emphasize on in order to have an effective online class and effective interaction with the students as an instructor;

Assessing learning outcomes

One of the methods that I will use for assessing the learning outcomes will be the evaluation of the activeness of each student in the online class especially in terms of answering questions in the online forum. I will also post numerous assignments and use the frequency of reply or return of the exams from each student to gauge the level of responsiveness and participation in class. There will also be marks for attendance of the online class and the more frequent one attends and participates in the discussions, the better the scores. I will also adopt the continuous assessment method by randomly giving assignments that have scores that count towards the final marks and in this way, it will be easier to know those who are attentive in the online class.

Manage my own time

The first step I will take is to develop a course schedule that will be followed and a pattern. This will be communicated to the students in good time before the commencement of the lessons and in so doing, I will be having a program that binds me to being present in the online class without fail since the students will be waiting online and I cannot miss being present online. This program will not only ensure I am present online, but also help me figure out the correct workload for a given time online. I will also ensure that incase any inevitable situation comes up, I communicate the same in good time to my students and at the same time discuss with them the possibility of making up for the lost time at their convenient time.

Evaluate how the course worked

In the evaluation process, I will have two approaches; the formative and the summative. In the formative evaluation, I will ensure all the students know my email address and in that case I will encourage them to send me their observations and suggestions on a regular basis for me to know how far the classes are helping the students. The summative evaluation will take the form of questionnaires passed to the students at the end of the entire program to get a feed back on the general effect of the lessons and also there will be a test that will cover almost everything that I shall have taught online for the entire period.