An e-learning assessment is a process of assessing or documenting, in measurable terms, a learner’s knowledge, through an online method. Assessments are used in an e-learning course to help the learners gauge their own knowledge and learning progress.

There are mainly two kinds of learning assessments, which are:

i.Summative assessments

ii.Formative assessments

Let us understand each of these in detail.

Summative Assessments

Summative Assessment is defined as a standard for evaluating how much a learner has been able to learn through the e-learning course.

It is used to determine whether or not a learner has achieved the learning objectives and reached the desired level of proficiency. Typically, a summative assessment is administered at the end of an e-learning course.

Formative Assessments

The formative assessment is conducted during the learning process.The primary aim here is to offer continuous feedback to the learners and thus allowing the learners to improve.

Formative assessment is one of the most beneficial assessment strategies, as it gives the learner enough time to improve and acquire the necessary information and skill sets during an e-learning course.

I’m sure that most of you reading this blog will agree that assessments, (formative or summative)  are an integral part of any e-learning course creation. We’ve put together the following tips to help you with e-learning assessments and ensure successful eLearning courses.

1.For e-learning assessments to be effective, they need to be clear and aligned with goals and objectives of the course. Make sure that you leave no room for ambiguity especially in scenario based questions, as the more specific and concise your questions are, the more effective will be your e-learning assessment process.

2.Create a learning assessment with various types of questions, such as multiple choice questions, true/false questions, drag and drop etc., and various multimedia elements such as audio, video, and visuals. Variety in methods and tools will significantly enhance the e-learning assessment experience by ensuring that the learners learning needs are successfully accommodated.

3.Always use clear and simple language. A question should be framed in a direct and simple manner to avoid unnecessary confusion.

4.The instructions for the assessments must be clear to enable the learners to understand the activity and complete the task easily.

In a nutshell, e-learning assessments are essential for your learners’ development.

Consider using them often, as they can really help you pinpoint the gaps in the learner’s performance and generate improved and more successful e-learning solutions.