Alternative Approaches to Assessment with Online Technologies: Integrating Process and Product Outcomes

Abstract

There is now a new wave of pedagogy advocating “alternative assessment” in which forms of student assessment are integrated into learning through engagement in real life contexts facilitated by online technologies. The use of the WWW in tertiary learning environments offers greater adaptability and flexibility than traditional assessment procedures as it enables the planning and design of tasks that monitor both learning processes and learning outcomes. This chapter proposes that the move towards alternative assessment paradigms has been accelerated by technology with its capacity to offer learners a broad array of authentic activities, and tasks and forums for engaging in constructivist learning.