According to New Horizons for Learning's Building Tool Room five elements characterize effective online assessment (Gigliotti):

• Continuous interaction between instructor and students and among students
• Contribution to the learning process
• Real-world demonstration, application, or performance
• Relevant and aligned to the student outcomes and the learning community
• Clearly communicated goals and requirements for success

These elements are seen in other frameworks for developing and evaluating online learning assessment (Gaytan and McEwan 2007).

A variety of online activities and assignments can contribute to student assessment. Often, you can revise a activities you already use.

Asynchronous online discussions are an effective method for students to apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Discussions provide a “running commentary” on student understanding of course content, individually and as a class.

Besides responding to instructor questions, discussions can ask student to:

• Defend a particular stance or point of view with supporting data
• Analyze or critique writings or other works
• Reflecting on personal learning

Rubrics for discussion postings can range from simple to demanding, depending on how discussions fit in the course design and expectations for student contributions.

Short, weekly quizzes can provide a snapshot of how well students are keeping up with weekly lessons and whether they need remediation. Auto-corrected multiple-choice quizzes minimize grading time so you can focus on other student work. Learn more about online, multiple-choice test strategies.

Similarly, regular writing assignments like muddiest point or reflection papers can help assess students’ understanding of course content.

A traditional assignment like a research paper can be more effective online by dividing the development into graded sub-deliverables (e.g., research, outline, draft review, etc.) so the student can receive ongoing feedback.

Other online assignments and activities:

• Developing a product similar to what students need to produce professionally or in more advanced courses
• Identifying a reading or other resource, presenting it to the class, and moderating an online discussion on it
• Creating a presentation (and short quiz) on a course topic
• Interviewing a practitioner in the course discipline and reporting to the class on it
• Researching and creating a media presentation
• Developing a portfolio of material throughout the course
• Compiling an annotated bibliography

Online group assignments and activities can help alleviate the isolation some online students feel and keep them engaged and motivated as they draw support from one another. As with individual assignments, dividing a major group assignment into several deliverables enables you to intercede if the group goes off-track. Incorporating a peer evaluation component into the grade helps drive student accountability. Group assignments include:

• Collaborating on a report. presentation, or product
• Creating a wiki resource to share with the rest of the class
• Contributing to a blog
• Preparing for and participating in an online debate

Many individual activities can be modified to group activities as well. Learn more about online group assignments.

Boettcher, J. Evidence of Learning Online: Assessment Beyond the Paper. Campus Technology. 2/23/11.

Gaytan, J. and McEwan, B. Effective Online Instructional and Assessment Strategies. The American Journal of Distance Education, 21(3), 117–132. © 2007.

Gigliotti, G. and Devanas, M. Understanding Assessment Options in Online Courses, Rutgers University Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research.

McClintock, C. and Barr, M. Assessing Learning Outcomes in Online Graduate Education.

Kelly, R. Ed, Assessing Online learning: Strategies, Challenges and Opportunities. Faculty Focus Special Report,

Johnson, S. and Aragon, S. An Instructional Strategy Framework for Online Learning Environments. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Volume 2003, Issue 100, Winter 2003.