The basic parameter is that the learning objectives (LOs) should be set and hence the questions in an elearning assessment should check how many of these objectives has the learner met.

When the questions are not related to the learning objectives, it can’t be gauged whether the course is effectual or not.
Therefore every ID has to establish some LOs first and then proceed according to them. Afterward, you should formulate the quiz questions and then check whether the content adheres to these objectives or not.

Difference between enabling and terminal objectives

Learning objectives can be classified into two types, based on what they do, such as terminal objectives and enabling objectives. Enabling Objectives form the core of elearning.

They refer to the objectives which the learner must meet to be considered sufficient to fulfill terminal objectives. For example, if the terminal objective or the end goal of a course is to make the learner learn how to bake the cake, then the enabling objective is to see that he knows how to operate an oven and setting the right temperature for different dishes.

The SME can make sure that the questions can be segregated into three different levels, based on how difficult they are. These levels are the kind of risks involved in the job. So, a question can be given a high rating based on how risky the job is. Sometimes, the importance of the question might be high depending on its criticality in the job.

But this kind of differentiating job in elearning can involve a lot of effort from the SMEs who can guide multimedia developers about it.

There should be different points for different kinds of questions. The points are assigned based on the difficulty level of the questions. For example, basic questions can be given lesser points just like the intermediate questions. But the advanced questions should be given more points so that when a learner does not attempt them correctly in an elearning assessment, he fails the test.

He has to start over the course again, or he can be guided to those sections of the module about the advanced questions. All this programming can be easily done by a multimedia developer.

So, the learner who can answer all the advanced questions correctly gets a high score on the test. The multimedia developers can also decide whether the questions are changed depending on the number of times the user has performed the test. He can be given tougher questions as per his attempts at the test.

So, this is how an elearning assessment can make sure that you hire the right candidate for a job.

Elearning assessments are an important part of the learning experience for learners. However, such an assessment has to be developed carefully.

Quiz before the learning begins

This kind of quiz is important to see that the knowledge of learners can be tested. But this quiz should generate excitement about the course. The learners should know what to expect from the course. So when learners have attempted the quiz, they know where they stand.

Use matching exercises

A true-/false question answer is the most conventional form of an eLearning assessment.

But sometimes, these questions have such simple language that the learners get the answers correct even if they have not gone through the eLearning content.

Instead, you should use a matching exercise as an eLearning assessment. When the learners match pairs, they learn how two concepts are related to each other.

Self-reflection exercises

An eLearning assessment should be there when a module finishes. This ensures that the students have the time to check whether they have retained something. When they answer practical questions they understand how they can apply the gained knowledge to work.

So, when they are not able to answer such a question they know they have to study the eLearning content again.

Inclusion of case studies

Case studies are also an important part of elearning because they can depict real-world situations. You might be wondering how you can do that. You can include a real event as a story and just delete the end. So learners don’t know what decisions were taken by protagonists of such situations. Then ask learner what could have been their course of actions if faced with something like that, and provide them with correct and feasible options. Sometimes there are different ways to attain the same results and learners need to acknowledge that.

Games create fun

An eLearning assessment can also include games. It’s because every step taken in a game by the learner has outcomes, so he learns how to handle situations used in a game. The learners gain invaluable insights into how certain actions work in problematic situations. An e-learning assessment of games can be of many types:

Scenario-based games: First of all, the learning material can be made interesting through such games. Games can make sure that retention of knowledge is easier especially for a boring topic because the real-life challenge can be included as a gaming scenario.

The students may get the answers wrong in a quiz and don’t know the reason. But through a game scenario, they understand one wrong choice can lead to negative outcomes.

Roleplay games: You can create such games in 3D simulation software which can help with introducing characters and simulations. So the learner is thrown into a new scenario he has handled before and he tries to solve the situation in the best possible manner. Role-playing involves learners choose characters and then choose an option after being given a situation. If they choose the wrong option in a situation, they are asked the reason. For example, if someone thinks that it’s ok to hide a co-worker’s phone, and then they are shown the scene where the victim goes to the manager and reports the prank. Then, you can show the angry manager because the victim wants to leave the job. Role-playing games are also there where the employees are assigned characters like a detective in a murder mystery game and to solve it.

The employees could also upload their videos on the LMS when they are given a scenario for role-playing and time to prepare for it. They can also be assigned different characters. This boosts their confidence levels also. Such videos can be shown to other coworkers and managers to ask for their comments. When the employees learn the comments, they understand why did someone behave in a certain situation. For example, a manager can be given to role-play an executive and vice-versa in a certain situation. This is a great way to boost their soft skills.

Tag: Elearning assessment

How can an elearning assessment help a company in retaining the right candidate?

The basic parameter is that the learning objectives (LOs) should be set and hence the questions in an elearning assessment should check how many of these objectives has the learner met.

Include an elearning assessment in the course for learner engagement

A true-/false question answer is the most conventional form of an eLearning assessment.