Assessment Strategies in Online Classrooms: A Case Study on Instructor Experiences at the University of Maryland During COVID-19

Kate Williams | Teaching and Learning Transformation Center

Abstract

kate williams.jpg The transition to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and stressful for both instructors and course designers, forcing many universities to quickly embrace online distance learning due to social distancing mandates. This context has created new challenges, such as deciding the most appropriate platforms and instructional methods to increase access to and the quality of remote delivery. Understandably, the focus had been placed on basic content transfer and emergency response teaching, but it is important to consider that as we strive to adapt to more sustainable online learning environments, assessing learning outcomes is still crucial – and challenging. This means seeking out new strategies towards fostering student engagement and measuring the results.

In Summer 2020, the University of Maryland, College Park used funding from the U. S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to award hundreds of Innovation Grants to faculty across its schools, departments, and programs, providing specific financial support for the time and materials required to retool coursework for more long-term remote delivery. The Teaching and Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) designed this qualitative case study to better understand what assessment strategies have worked well, what assessment strategies instructors have gravitated towards the most in course adaptation, and how assessment during COVID-19 teaching may involve different strategies than standard online teaching. Utilizing semi-structured interview data from grant awardees, the quality and efficacy of these practices were analyzed under the lens of evidence-based models and frameworks to generate preliminary findings and recommendations towards both best practices and further supports.

Presentation

Assessment Strategies in Online Classrooms (Download and view in PowerPoint to hear narration.)