Book: Online learning and assessment in higher education

Benson, R. and Brack, C. (2010) Online Learning and Assessment in Higher Education Cawston UK: Woodhead Publishing

This book can be ordered by fax or downloaded for printing at a cost of Euros 85 (approximately $115).

From the publicity material

The use of e-learning strategies in teaching is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in higher education. Online Learning and Assessment in Higher Education recognises the key decisions that need to be made by lecturers in order to introduce e-learning into their teaching. An overview of the tools for e-learning is provided including the use of Web 2.0 and the issues surrounding the use of e-learning tools such as resources and support and institutional policy. The second part of the book focuses on e-assessment; design principles, different forms of online assessment and the benefits and limitations of e-assessment.

Authors

Dr Benson is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Design and e-Learning at Monash University, Australia.

Dr Brack has educational design experience at Melbourne and Deakin Universities in Australia, and currently works at Monash University. She has an academic background in biochemistry.

Table of contents

Where to start
– Introduction
– How students learn
– What is good teaching practice in higher education?
– What are the characteristics of your students?
– What are your characteristics as a teacher?
– The learning and teaching context
– Identifying the learning objectives
– Reconceptualising your teaching
– Illustrating the ideas in this chapter
– Summary
– Notes

Teaching with technology – considering your options
– Introduction
– Technology affordances and learning outcomes
– Institutional policy and infrastructure
– The evolution of internet technologies for learning and assessment
– First generation internet technologies: options for interaction
– First generation internet technologies: options for managing content
– Web 2.0 and other new options for interaction
– Web 2.0 and other new options for managing content
– Even newer options
– Student support
– Management and administrative issues
– Deciding your options
– Illustrating the ideas in this chapter
– Summary
– Note

Online learning design and development
– Introduction
– Theories and models guiding online learning design
– Aligning learning objectives, activities and assessment
– Designing online learning activities, resources and support
– Interaction between users: online discussion activities
– Interaction between users: activities using other communication forms
– Interaction with content
– Creation of content: individual and group activities
– Giving activity feedback: principles, options and issues
– Developing your design
– General student support issues
– Managing and administering online learning
– Illustrating the ideas in this chapter
– Summary
– Note

Online assessment
– Introduction
– Why assess?
– Who assesses?
– Some aspects of assessment design
– Using the online environment for assessment
– Supporting students
– Managing and administering assessment
– Illustrating the ideas in this chapter
– Summary

Evaluation
– Introduction
– Some evaluation concepts
– Evaluation and online learning design, development and implementation
– Designing your evaluation plan
– Managing, reporting and acting on the evaluation
– Acting on the evaluation
– Illustrating the ideas in this chapter
– Summary

Conclusion
– Introduction
– Introducing online learning and assessment – a brief review
– Accommodating emerging technologies
– Illustrating the ideas in this chapter
– Summary

Introducing online learning and assessment – a planning guide

Comment

I haven’t read the book – I’m not paying over $100 – but the content looks very pragmatic to me, and Monash has a good reputation for quality online learning.