Peer Review

eLearnReady

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Reviewed:: Feb 7, 2023 by Psychology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

eLearnReady is a 43-item assessment tool that evaluates nine (9) dimensions of student readiness for participating in online courses. Students may elect to use this tool individually as a self-guided online class preparation exercise. Faculty also may assign the tool and use the assessment results in service of providing individualized learning guidance. The tool is research-based, and users will find a variety of journal references on the pages of the eLearnReady website.

The eLearnReady tool would be useful for all students considering online courses or an online program. The study advice that is shared on the website would assist students regardless of the format of their program.

NOTE: While the tool is free for use by individual students and faculty, a paid institutional membership also is available. An institutional membership allows faculty to generate a class-level eLearning readiness profile, provides an option to modify the assessment tool, creates access to usage statistics, and includes customization with the university logo.

Type of Material:

Assessment Tool

eLearnReady takes the form of a research-based survey with 43 forced-choice items that measure nine (9) dimensions of online learning readiness: 1) Self-Motivation, 2) Self-Management, 3) Communication with Instructor, 4) Interaction with Peers, 5) Learning Preference – Text, 6) Learning Preference – Visual, 7) Learning Preference - Auditory, 8) Technology Skills, and 9) Classroom Website. The tool generates a report for the student, explaining the findings and offering study tips.

Recommended Uses:

This tool would work especially well for students about to start or who have recently started an online course. The eLearnReady website shares specific, helpful example assignments under the Adoption Guidance link.

Technical Requirements:

Extensive surfing of the eLearnReady website and assessment tool confirmed that the site works well across multiple platforms and on multiple devices.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The eLearnReady assessment tools allows students to assess their readiness for online classes and share their results with faculty.

Students will assess their readiness for online classes.
Students will learn about possible strengths and areas for development as related to online learning.
Students will understand how to capitalize on their online learning strengths while also addressing areas for development.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division

Note: The assessment also could be useful for high school students.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

None.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The measure is grounded in research (some of which is shared on the site), and the reports for students offer beneficial tips for studying based on the answers given. Of particular note: Brief videos feature students variously following (or not) the tips given.
This assessment covers all the key areas for successfully completing online work: self-motivation, self-management, preferences for feedback, interaction, reading and listening skills, use of technology, and using course management systems.
There is an option to share results via email with a faculty member, advisor, tutor or other interested party; this would allow students to discuss their findings with someone else.
Note: For the educator there is an option to receive a breakdown of student responses; however, this is a paid service.

Concerns:

Students have to complete every question in order to receive a report, and there are no clear guidelines on how to remove participation-related information or how these data subsequently will be used.
Learning-wise this website does not offer material for students; rather, it offers the opportunity to take a measure which can then be used by the student or the instructor as the basis for follow-up conversation and advising.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The assessment goes beyond offering general guidance for online coursework and provides individualized feedback that is based on a student's personal assessment.
The site's videos provide examples of how to address issues in various areas related to online learning.

Concerns:

The tool is a self-assessment that is not associated with particular learning goals or assignments. Instructors who assign this assessment will want to design a follow-up process or activity for discussing best practices in online learning.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The assessment is easy to complete, requiring approximately 10 minutes. Results are displayed on the screen and sent to the student's email address. The results can be reviewed immediately and also referenced later. A link is provided to share with faculty, if desired.
The site is compatible with both desktop and mobile browsers.
Contact is via a web form, and this format is compatible with voice-activated software.
The embedded videos are hosted on YouTube, and the software is easy to navigate.
The embedded videos are closed-captioned.

Concerns:

In order to get the class-level report, it is necessary to subscribe to the site; however, there are no costs associated with the use of the individual tool.

Other Issues and Comments:: eLearnReady offers an excellent opportunity for students to identify and reflect on online learning strengths and areas for development. When used as a class preparation tool, eLearnReady has the potential to promote rich conversation around good study habits.
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