Peer Review

Self-evaluation for students considering taking Distance Learning courses

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Reviewed:: Oct 13, 2013 by Library and Information Services

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This is a short online self assessment designed for military personnel to help them identify personal characteristics and life circumstances that may impact their decision to enroll in a distance learning course. This 16 question quiz encourages military personnel to consider their attitudes toward online learning situation as well as their motivation for choosing online courses. This self-evaluation of skills and learning behaviors is an effective reflection for individuals considering the online environment.
Type of Material:: Quiz/Test
Recommended Uses:: This assessment is best suited for an online webpage that offers counseling on further pursuing an education. This is a personal assessment for use by an individual but it can also be used by any counselor/advisor to encourage further discussions.
Technical Requirements:: Computer, internet access and current browser. IE 9 with some graphics overlay problems
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Military personnel will be able to evaluate whether distance learning is an effective learning choice with respect to their current skills. This self assessment prompts the end user to think about learning habits and life circumstances to determine if a distance education program is suitable for them.
Target Student Population:: High School seniors deciding on colleges with distance learning programs, college students possibly considering registering for online classes, adults considering returning to school online, military personnel considering returning to school online, prison inmates desiring to continue their education online.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The welcome screen for the survey introduces the content well. The questions were short, easy to read and direct. They focused on the primary elements that a potential distance learner will need to consider before enrolling in a distance education program. The report that is generated is very detailed and offers detailed advice on each characteristic addressed by the question.
Concerns:: The questions were general and it was easy to see which answers were suitable for enrolling in a distance learning program. The target audience is very narrow – military personnel considering distance courses

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Clearly communicates purpose of the survey and gives context for the target audience. This online self assessment consists of 17 questions which address various aspects of distance learning. The questions provoke thought about learning styles, organization, time commitment and long term educational goals. The assessment is very clear about the limitations of the assessment and counsels the person taking the assessment to speak to an academic adviser before enrolling in a course. The personalized report that is generated from the assessment is very specific to the person and gives feedback on each answer as well as additional information on what it would be like to enroll in a distance learning course.
Concerns:: Concepts are not linked. Range of possible responses is very limited. Although this is a personal assessment, it is easy to tell which question is the best answer.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The assessment was very easy to use.Instructions are succinct. The link went straight to the quiz without going through multiple layers of the webpage to find it. The report that is created from the assessment is arranged in a very usable format, using color and charts to present the results. The chart makes it easy to identify the questions/answers that were problematic and to zone in on that specific question.
Concerns:: Participants cannot return to previous questions. Some questions are exact repeats. Text dominant, with little visual appeal. No contact information on the report just instructions to contact your instructor.

Other Issues and Comments:: Graphics overlay on the introduction to the survey is problematic. It was difficult to find contact information on the report.
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