Continuous Assessment for Improved Student Outcomes: Examples from WebCT's Exemplary Course Project

Abstract

WebCT views assessment as an activity that is integral to the full scope of the learning process. A variety of methods and strategies are available to course designers and instructors to assess student performance before, during, and after a course has taken place. WebCT provides three major categories of assessment tools (self-tests, quizzes and surveys, and assignments within these tools) and seven types of questions (multiple choice, including true/false; combination multiple choice; matching; calculated; short answer; jumbled sentence; and paragraph). The layout, design, and administration of assessments is flexible through selective release, timed assessments, and the sequencing of questions. Through examples from the WebCT Exemplary Course Project, this chapter reviews the many tools and methods available and describes the assessment, grading, and reporting capabilities of WebCT.