collaborative assessment

According to Siemen assessment in a collaborative learning environment should be fair and direct, based on stated outcomes, and equitable.  Palloff and Pratt make the point that the instructors need to provide clear guidelines for assessment of collaborative work.  If students know exactly what is required, then the assessment should be based on what is expected.  Regardless of the skill and knowledge, the guidelines don’t change.  For students that don’t want to participate, other members should invite or encourage them before getting the instructor involved.  If guidelines are set and grades are dependent upon participation, they will probably participate at least minimally.

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

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

story board

According to http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ collaboration means to work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort.  It used to be the only way this took place was face to face.  Teachers have voiced their opinion that collaboration is the most effective form of professional development because the strategies they learn have already been tried in an environment similar to theirs.  They are not learning about strategies being used in New York and their effectiveness and then expecting to have the same results on their kids in Georgia. This is across the hall or next door information that has already been tested for effectiveness on children similiar to what is actually in their classroom.  \

Collaboration has evolved to the point where there are numerous ways to do this on the internet.  One website that I posted to listed 15 different sites to collaborate online (www.missiontolearn.com/2009/08free-online-collaboration).  Another educator also created a blog about online collaboration and how important it is (http://www.teachweb2.blogspot.com/). 

Evolving distance education to the next generation

According to Simonson, distance education is at the point where it needs to be nurtured.  Many people in society are using it at an increasing rate.  After having participated in distance education myself, I do agree with Simonson.  Distance education has many positives as well as negatives.  But now that so many people are using it, the providers can focus on how to make it a better and more rewarding experience.  The instructional design of web based instruction should be one that promotes critical thinking just as educators in face to face settings are required to do.  As a participant in online learning, I agree with Moller, Foshay, and Huett, that learning does come from the content as well as from learners communicating with each other.  When learners communicate with each other often times, sharing includes examples of where and how the content was applied.  This makes the content more meaningful for those who have not experienced the content.  With this influx of participants for online learning, one wonders what will they think of next.