Assessment in a Fully Online Environment

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Leadership

Assessment in a Fully Online Environment

How do we effectively and fairly assess our students’ learning in online environments? First, consider what types of assessments are most appropriate in an online environment. Consult the Assessment & Feedback category of the SUNY Online Course Quality Review Rubric while you design your online assessments.

Assessment Tools and Strategies:

  • Create a Brightspace Assignment
  • Create and configure a quiz on Brightspace
  • Consider giving mock exams so students can practice the exam format and technology to identify any access or other issues.
  • Make your expectations clear to students. Is the test open book? Are any online resources allowed? What about translation tools, calculators, or summary notes?
  • Consider breaking up a long exam into several smaller units to minimize the impact of internet access issues and the support you need to provide if students encounter problems.

Additional Considerations and Resources:

  • Use Brightspace, a tool that requires authentication, to verify the identity of the person logging in.
  • Post the CUNY academic integrity policy on your syllabus. and summarize or discuss the components relevant to your class. Suspected acts of academic dishonesty should be reported to the college’s online reporting system.
  • If students report login issues or internet access issues during the test, ask them to provide a screenshot of the error message they receive. If the test is conducted on Brightspace, you can review the student’s access history in the Class Progress Tab.
  • Be empathetic: Consider expanding the time window that students can take an exam, even by 15 minutes. This will allow students time to get logged into Brightspace and address any connectivity issues. Perhaps reduce the penalty for late assignments or allow retakes if the log and/or student show technical difficulties.
  • Generative AI in the Classroom: Best Practices, a CETLL Guide. This guide includes step-by-step guidance about how to engage with questions of generative AI in your classrooms, sample syllabus statements, assignments, resources, and recommended readings.