From: Marcia Swope ( [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> )
Nova Southeastern University
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1-800-338-4723, Ext: 8357
Dear Colleagues,
I am hoping to get some information, advice, and opinions on the subject of
testing in an online course. Our University has decided that our department
will run our standard Developmental Mathematics course as an online distance
course in the Fall 2001. This course is a combination of Pre- and Elementary
Algebra.
The topics include signed numbers, fractions, decimals, equations,
factoring,
and a small amount of graphing. For the first half of the course
(the pre-algebra part), we do not allow our on campus students to use
calculators;
students can use them throughout the rest of the course, however.
The big issue is that the policy of the University is to do unproctored
tests
online. In fact, for the online course, students would not be required to
come
to campus for any meetings, testing, etc. Our department, however, believes
that tests should be proctored; we are even leaning toward paper and pencil
tests that are faxed or mailed to each proctor. We also require students to
show all their work, which if we did online tests, we would probably not be
able
to do. Additionally, considering the level of the course, we have a major
concern that if the tests are not proctored, then the possibility of
cheating
greatly increases. This is a course for which a student could have a 14,
15, 16
year old on up do the tests for them. In general, we feel that it is
important for
someone (a proctor) to see who is actually taking the test and that they are
doing
the work themselves.
So, I am hoping to get some answers to the following questions that are of
concerned to us.
1. What do you think about teaching this level of math as an online
distance
course?
2. What do you think about having tests online without proctoring? If
anyone
is doing this, how do you test?
3. For online math course, do you have other ways to assess students'
knowledge
besides testing, such as turning in assignments (by e-mail, fax, mail)? Or
do
you have a system program that you are using in which you can monitor the
students'
log-on times and maybe check their work?
4. What kind of tests do you give (true/false, fill in the blank, essay,
solve
equations by showing the work)? If you do this one online, how does that
work
for you?
5. If you are teaching a course online and testing is proctored, what
information do you give the students about locating a proctor and what form
do
you have the student and proctor sign, if any? If you could e-mail or fax
(954-262-3819) me the letter about proctors and the form for them
to sign, I would greatly appreciate this.
I appreciate any and all responses to any or all of these questions. I know
there are many other issues involved in putting a course online, but for now
we
are focusing on this dilemma, so any information you provide would be
helpful.
Thank you.
Marcia Swope
Math Specialist
|
