One strong benefit of online learning is the ability to provide regular, consistent, and instant feedback on assessments. Designing regular low stakes assessments, and providing students with feedback on their answers, can contribute significantly to student success. A tight connection between your learning outcomes and your assessments will help guide you as you design an assessment plan. 

There are tools built into most learning management systems that allow you to create assessments that are linked directly to your course grade book. View specific Canvas tools and assessing student learning using rubrics.

Proctoring services provide a secure, convenient way for instructors to administer online exams to students. Please contact the Center for more information on available services. 

Additional considerations for assessing online learning

• Discussions: Asynchronous discussions are the primary form of interaction in many online courses. Consider carefully how you will assess participation and contributions

• Review this for an example of discussion board guidelines and rubric

• Peer Assessments: There are several varieties of  peer assessment, including having students provide peer feedback in the early phases of a project, using peer feedback to determine a final grade on an assignment, and granting credit corresponding to the level of effort and usefulness of comments made on peer reviews