Online Assessments with Non-Traditional Grading Rubrics and

Web-based Outcome Documentation

Presented by Phyllis Powell Pelt, MS, RNDirector of School Nurse Certification Program

phylpelt@uic.eduwww.uic.edu/nursing/schoolnursing

September 28, 2006

21st Century – Information Age

• Outcome of attendance – core value• Learning can be assessed online by quality of

participation in synchronous (real time) and asynchronous discussions

Why Transition to ONLINE Teaching?• Primary Focus of education and School Health

Services has CHANGED. • Expanded role requires proficiency in timely

identification and use of resources to support student/consumer living and learning.

• Comfortable ONLINE skills are critical in order to serve our “customers” who use technology tools daily.

Non-Traditional Learners

• Average age 43• Minimum of Bachelors Degree in Nursing• Eight or more years of professional nursing in

other nursing specialties• Working full-time • Emerging computer skills

Online Self Assessment in Blackboard• Un-timed self assessment – Posted in

Blackboard under Assignments• After completion – uploaded in safe assignments• Individual, confidential faculty feedback and

comments shared via Blackboard • Virtual Chat reflection in small groups

Online Self Assessment – Benefits

• Immediately learn how comfortable student is with Blackboard format

• Self assessment and/or baseline pre- test of content – provides satisfaction of “immediate” response

• Helps faculty and student identify what skills student needs to strengthen in order to be successful in course

Web Based Assessment and PlanningIncludes:

Instructions Modules Planning for improvement template Resources Appendix with fact sheets Designed for elementary, middle and high school

Advantages of a Web-based Assessment Tool• Developed by a well established and reputable

group. (Center for Disease Control)• Incorporates National Health and Learning

Goals (Healthy People 2010)• Updated as appropriate• Evaluation shared widely• Can be assessed with no cost by all partners

Non-traditional Grading Rubric for Web-based Tool Includes:• Setting ID and Password for facility use of tool• Uploading data in each of the eight modules• Timely completion of online scorecard• Documenting comments from participants• Completion of School Health Improvement plan• List recommended actions• Giving rationale for ONE recommended

action/intervention that will serve as internship project (40% of course grade)

• Virtual chat discussions on use of tool

Virtual Chat Assessments

• Classified as “ Post Conference”• One hour every other week• Evidence based comments/critical analysis of

topics related to internship project• Specific discussion points provided by students-

faculty facilitate chat

Barriers to Virtual Chat

• Real time availability needed • Consensus on times for synchronous chats.

– (8-9 pm favorite choice of learners)

• Small groups needed regardless of size of class. – ( 7-10 learners in each group)

• Key board skills needed – spelling does not count in the virtual chat setting

Real time – Virtual Chat Assessment

• Must be logged on for a minimum of 30 minutes.• Written comments must be substantial*

– *Review syllabus for explanation.

• Summary statement needed at the end of session.

• Sessions archived.• Follow up comments in asynchronous

discussion board.

Face-to-Face Poster Presentations

Learners Encouraged to Use Grading Rubric• Include rubric with assignments• Encourage learners to follow rubric when

completing assignment• Have rubric attached for grading of assignment.• Give learners opportunity to respond to

instructor assessment of assignment based on rubric.

• Update rubric based on student feedback

Online Cheating – No Problem Here!!

• Professional nurses not willing to risk their careers and reputation on cheating in an online course.

• Life long learning is motivation for many to be in the course – cheating would be counter productive.

• Much diversity in interaction with faculty – teleconference, site visits, online discussions – cheating would be challenging.

In Summary : Take Steps to STRETCH

• S= sensational

• T= teaching

• R= requires

• E= efforts

• T= to

• C= computerize

• H= homework