Module 3 Assessment of Collaborative Learning

Ideally the learning community will be self directed and builders of knowledge,  however online learning is in the transition process.  Traditional education; is such that the teacher imparts instruction on the student who receives the knowledge. The The paradigm shift is moving from the teacher-centric to the student-centric collaborative model.  Students have to be in charge of their learning in the collaborative model.  Students today prefer to interact socially and instruction is becoming more  of a social event. (Palloff 2007. p. 15.)  The collaborative model must include according to Picciano, (2007 p.l7) active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, connections to real-world contexts.  

Students have been accustomed to teacher centric model of instruction and both the instructor and the learner have to be taught how to learn and participate collaboratively to be part of the self directed group. The role of the instructor for the student who does not not want to work collaboratively is to intervene and offer suggestions or further training Palloff, 2005.  p. 40) 

The assessment of collaborative learning according to Siemens is also a collaborative process whereby students can assess one another by giving feedback and answering rating surveys.  The instructor has to build the infrastructure for collaborative environments that will encourage students to contribute.  The collaborative learning can be assessed by looking at the time on task for each student and the substance of contributions, (Laureate, 2008).  Siemens further states that fairness of assessment may be addressed based upon stated desired outcomes and equitable assessment should be based upon the consideration of the starting point of the student and the amount of growth from that point (2012 Laurette).

Commented To:  

http://troygordonsite.wordpress.com/

http://techlingualatina.blogspot.com/2013/03/elements-of-distance-education-diffusion.html?showComment=1365535678647#c8058822748508012147

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore, MD: Siemens.

Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: Learning together in community (pp. 3-54). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Palloff, R. M. & Pratt, K. (2007). The human side of online learning. In Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom (pp. 45-65). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Piccano, A. G. (2012) Educational transformation through online learning:  To be or not to be. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Netoworks (14) 4.