Let's Talk About CATs (Classroom Assessment Techniques)
Concurrent Session 1
Brief Abstract
Is it possible to improve an online course in a minute? Find out during this session as the presenter addresses the basics of implementing classroom assessment techniques in online environments and how you can use classroom assessments to improve your teaching and students' learning experiences.
Presenters
Additional Authors
Extended Abstract
Context and Problem: Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATs) are widely used formative feedback tools in face-to-face courses. Interestingly, these tools are not widely used to improve teaching and learning experiences in online-delivered courses. Many educators/instructors who would benefit from implementing such tools are either unaware of their existence or uncertain how to begin implementing such formative assessments without losing control of their courses.
Approach and Presentation Outline: This session will systematically and progressively address the fundamental elements of classroom assessment techniques for the formative assessment novice by addressing the following topics:
- Definition and description of the original classroom assessment techniques
- Foundational strategies for developing and implementing a course-level formative assessment plan to improve teaching and learning experiences.
- Strategies and tips for identifying formative assessment resources online.
- The barriers and challenges of leveraging classroom assessment techniques in online courses.
- An example of formative feedback data utilized for course improvement.
Provided Materials: The presentation slides and supplemental resource handouts elaborating on each of the primary presentation topics above will be provided to participants during the session and posted on the conference website for easy retrieval.
Target Audience: The target audience for this presentation includes formative assessment novices in any educational setting. More specifically, this session is intended for program administrators, educators/faculty, and instructional designers in K-12, higher education, corporate, or government settings interested in leveraging formative assessment tools to improve online teaching and learning experiences.
Audience Engagement: Through the session, participants will be engaged in an active learning strategy by completing a personalized Classroom Assessment Technique Take-Home Guide-an interactive handout specific to their professional role and institutional context. An interactive question and answer period will conclude the session.
Session Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:
Distinguish between formative assessments and summative assessments.
Identify two classroom assessment techniques for possible implementation in a specific online course or module.
Identify two benefits of implementing classroom assessment techniques in their specific educational setting.
Identify two limitations to implementing classroom assessment techniques in their specific educational setting.