LSBR Blog - Online Learning and the Authenticity of Student Assessment

 

Article

London School of Business and Research, UK Online Learning and the Authenticity of Student Assessment

LSBR Blog

Online Learning and the Authenticity of Student Assessment

One prevalent challenge online learning institutes have been faced with is the question of “How to stop students from cheating in an online exams” and with the current demand for online education, they are right to be concerned.

Online Learning and the Authenticity of Student Assessment For over a month now following the coronavirus outbreak case, higher education, as well as a large section of the US workforce, have been forced to work remotely. And as this spill over to May, it is expected that the focus of many colleges and universities classrooms will be geared towards sourcing for effective and authentic means to assess students learning online as opposed to merely conducting a virtual class.

Over the past few weeks, Abhishek Chaudhary, Dean, London School of Business and Research, UK, has conducted dozens of webinars and consultations with education industry colleagues most of whom were seeking counsel, support, and resources. The most recurring question from these consultations was related to assessment security and specifically “How best to prevent cheating by students who are taking online exams”.

This persisting concern hints that online education doesn’t have the depth and incorruptibility of typical person-to-person instruction – in essence, it is very easy to cheat. However, this assumption is contrary to research and far from the truth, it also runs the risk of damning all students as cheats. Even more so, it shifts the learning institutes’ focus from learning and development teaching to an obsession with punishments and looses the opportunity for a more thoughtful methodology to online assignment and assignment design.

While there are several great practices and techniques for administering assessment securely online, no assessment is uncheatable. And looking past the obvious strategy, the most effective educational response to the question of academic integrity and security of online assessments is hinged on some elementary principles and concepts.

Primarily, online education is a unique learning system purposefully designed for remote learning, teaching, and assessment with the aid of technological tools decisively employed for engagement and outcomes. And what’s more, online education is complemented by various services that offer assistance to students all through their learning cycle. In light of these, not all remote learning is online education but all online education is a form of virtual learning.

LSBR.UK

Besides, expecting a wholesome and seamless transition from a person-to-person class to a fully optimised remote learning environment in just a few weeks is not realistic. It is also erroneous and inequitable to allude the glitchy process (that is an improvisation undergoing improvements) as a testament to the inferiority of online education, as a few cynics are likely to do.

The main aim of online education is to keep students purposefully engaged with their peers and faculty members in the transition to remote teaching.

You may be wondering how these affect the security and authenticity of online assessment, it all has to do with pressure and stress – the precursors to cheating. Presently, students are experiencing so much pressure and stress and are more likely to cheat unlike when they feel supported, connected and encouraged.

Similarly, students are less likely to cheat when allowed to demonstrate and express learning in ways that come naturally to them. This is proven and in the words of Grant Wiggins, authentic assessment can be defined as “engaging and worthy problems or questions of importance, in which students must use knowledge to fashion performances effectively and creatively. The tasks are either replica of or analogous to the kind of problems faced by adult citizens and consumers or professionals in the field”. In essence, irrespective of the mode of teaching for scenario-based projects, case studies, and word problems, authentic assessment is indicative of a first-rate approach to measuring students’ learning by creatively engaging and enabling them to express knowledge and not an approach to demand they verify their usefulness through stiff exams.

For instance, a faculty member preparing to examine students on nutrition, digestion, and metabolism could introduce a more creative and participatory authentic assessment in place of the typical multiple-choice exam. This teacher could allow students to track their dietary intake, metabolic indicators, and then assess this result or examine food service menus to create a unifying map showing the relationship of the outcomes on health and diet.

There are always ways to enrich authenticity even with traditional exams that represents the most preferred tool of assessment. The common six multiple-choice or true and false exam questions could be replaced with two short-answer items. Alternatively, students could be asked to record a concise explanation of their answer to exam questions and the recording is turned in after the exam.

The facts remain that, at this present time, there will be a reasonable limit on the extent to which the transition to online education can birth a more veritable assessment. This isn’t unexpected.

And irrespective of the pedagogy approach we adopt for teaching and assessment, what is being taught and learned under this current circumstance, may be a testament of our versatility and flexibility that has been garnered over a lifelong process of commitment to learning.

This article on “How women can find mentors in the workplace” has been compiled by Ansh Kumar, London School of Business and Research, UK

LSBR.UK

Become a Global Leader

London School of Business and Research, UK is a truly global business school with international footprints in countries such as United Kingdom (London), India (New Delhi) and Singapore. The multi-cultural and multi-dimensional environment provides students with the knowledge, skills, attributes and networks - the global business capabilities which is required for leadership and success in demanding careers in the global economy and helps in fostering rigorous, relevant and innovative research on the dynamics of global business for students, business leaders and policy makers throughout the world.

London School of Business and Research, UK is at the fore front of Management Education globally. The institute is promoted by professionals who have worked at Senior Management positions at Nestle Inc. and who have studied at World’s Best Business Schools such as Harvard Business School (USA), Kellogg School of Management (USA), IITs and IIMs. The institute provides the students with a perfect combination of conceptual framework and practical insight which is relevant for tackling real-world business problems. We also boast of a well connected Corporate Network of professionals from the industry. Their participation has given learning at the London School of Business and Research, UK a pragmatic approach with a clear business focus. 

What makes us different We start with an essential fact. There are neither enough formulas nor business cases to span the range of high-stakes decisions you’ll face during your career. We seek to prepare you with knowledge, command of the relevant tools, and most important, the ability to think through unique problems, make decision and lead.

We leverage vital knowledge from sociology, psychology, economics, and other disciplines. Out routine of using such knowledge will become second nature to you. You’ll draw on deep insights and instinctively press to make the ‘best’ answer to a problem even better. And in a world where many people will tell you what to think, you’ll have the skills to encourage your colleagues meaningfully and productively, and will have the confidence to make great decisions that yield positive results.

Our lecturers, students and management share a common value system that underlines our teaching, learning, professional development and research. We are committed to fully support for you during your education and as a lifelong member of our LSBR community.

Vision

Mission

The Vision of London School of Business and Research, UK is to be pre-eminent business school, nurturing talent and advancing knowledge in a multinational and multi-cultural environment

Our Mission is to provide our students with the knowledge, skills, attributes and networks - the global business capabilities required for leadership and success in demanding careers in the global economy and to foster rigorous, relevant and innovative research on the dynamics of global business for students, business leaders and policy makers throughout the world.

Value To aim for Academic Excellence

To foster Creativity

To create Value

Learning is a lifelong journey - so learn and give back to local, regional and global community

LSBR.UK

Study Anytime

Anywhere

From Comfort of your Home or Office

Study Online

Visit us at:

https://www.Lsbr.uk for popular online courses

LSBR.UK

Why choose LSBR

Our 8 Differentiators This section highlights the 8 differentiators that would help you make an informed decision as to why you should choose London School of Business and Research (LSBR), Online Business School to complete your much needed education qualification.

Career Development without change in your lifestyle

No exams – Assignment based assessments

LSBR offers you the opportunity to enhance your career and growth in your life. You do not have to leave your current job or bring changes in your lifestyle to gain a qualification you have been waiting for. Our online programmes are simple, flexible and can be taken at any stage of your career

We have taken sting out of education. You are assessed through submission of assignments rather than traditional pen and paper exams. This means that you can prepare assignments anytime, sitting in home, office or cafe and submit the same once they are ready.

Flexible, Study from anywhere, Study anytime

Quality

Using our online model you have the advantage of learning without leaving your country and still attain world class qualification from the comforts of your home or office. Our programmes are very flexible and the optional units enable you to specialise in the areas that particularly interests you. You also have the option of studying units in any order you may like.

Accredited and Affordable Our qualifications are fully accredited and accepted world wide. We endeavours to ensure that cost of our programmes are always as affordable as possible without compromising the standards of our education.

Self paced learning The programmes offered are self paced.

Faster you submit the assignments faster you graduate and get the certification. You can stretch the programme duration to suit you.

You can be very confident about the calibre of the qualification you will receive, as all LSBR qualifications are fully recognised and accredited by respective bodies ensuring that the qualification attained are well accepted.

Easy payment plans We give you the widest payment options ranging from monthly, quarterly, half yearly to yearly payment options. You choose the best method of payments as per your flexibility.

Support As a student you have access to a comprehensive support in form of online study materials with option of downloading the same, live 24/7 chat support and lightning fast email support. We know you are schedule, therefore we ensure that you get the answers to your queries as quickly as possible.

9




Think Smart

Learn Fast

Study Online

Study Anytime

Anywhere

From Comfort of your Home or Office

Study Online

United Kingdom

India

Follow us on

622, Crown House,

North Circular Road, Park Royal,

London NW10 7PN,

United Kingdom

Email: Admissions@LSBR.UK

Suite 716, DLF Tower - A

Jasola,

New Delhi - 110025

India

Facebook: Twitter: LinkedIn: Instagram: Pinterest:

lsbr.uk

LSBRLondon /School/LSBR LSBR.UK LSBRUK

* taken from industry inputs