Course Development

Classroom Assessment Techniques for Distance Education: Document Problem Solutions

Karen Hallett
Instructional Consulting

Descriptions

The document problem solutions technique prompts students to keep track of the steps they take in solving a problem-to show and tell how they worked it out. Documented Problem Solutions have two main aims: (1) to assess how students solve problems and (2) to assess how well students understand and can describe their problem-solving methods.

Teaching Improvement

• better uses of available technology (effective uses)
• uses of appropriate strategies for distance education environment
• provide more contact with students, accessibility
• provide information about tailoring instructional activities to meet student's needs

Improving student learning

• improve opportunities to ask questions
• improve opportunities for input and feedback
• provide more contact with students accessibility

Criteria

• equally accessible from both sites
• immediacy of use
• adaptable to a wide range of learning situations
• require minimal time investment of students/instructor
• has continued use as learning tool for students, instructional resource for instructor.