MAT-SE Courses
Assessments
Just like on the Assignments page, clicking on the 'Assessments' link in the Course Menu will display the items you are expected to complete for course credit! Assessments are listed in a chronological order that parallels what you'll see in the "Course Syllabus". Setting a proper pace, individual items may be made available on a timed release basis. That means that you probably won't see all of the assessments at first. Remember that this is a full semester course... you will not be able to 'click your way through' in a single session. Refer to the current "Course Schedule" to determine when the assignment will become visible to you in this display.
If you think that you should be able to access an item that you cannot see, please notify the instructor immediately since a course setting may need to be corrected!
Just because an assessment does not show up when you visit this area does not mean that you are not responsible for completing that item! Sorry to be so redundant and repetitive, but obviously this is an important point!
Given that we strategically designed these courses to make the most of the current course management system, various functionality may be applied in unexpected ways in MAT-SE Online! courses.
As mentioned in the Project description, different tools may be implemented to provide more appropriate learning experiences. Such is the case with "Assessments". The terms used in the "Course Menu" reflect the lesson plan design to achieve specific objectives. So, don't be surprised when we use the assignment function for an "Assessment"... This is simply a characteristic of online delivery mechanisms; we are limited in our ability to modify the 'language' of the particular interface.
Completing an "Assessment"
All that said and accepted, let's take a look at what's involved in completing an "Assessment" (with respect to UTTC functionality). In BlackBoard terms, an assessment is a quiz (linked to you achievement and graded) or survey (anonymous and not graded) that enables the instructor to provide immediate feedback. This way, many instructional experiences can be completed at a time of your choosing. As you can see in the example shown below, the icon for an assessment is a clipboard with a pencil in hand.
When you're ready to take an assessment, just click on the title link above the general description. This will open a prompt to ensure that you realize this is a "quiz" that may be timed and/or scored.
Click on "OK" if you're ready to display something similar (no, you don't get to see the actual question yet...) to the following:
The particular details of each assessment will be described in the box above the "question". In most cases, you will be given one question at a time. This is for your benefit in that your response is recorded on the main server each time you submit your answer. In the event that your system crashes or the power surges, your work to date will not be lost!
Several different types of questions, as described in the BlackBoard User Manual, may be incorporated into an assessment:
- Multiple Choice: Allows the user a multitude of choices. In multiple-choice questions, the user indicates the correct answer by selecting a radio button.
- True/False: Allows the user to choose either true or false. True/False answer options are limited to the words True and False.
- Fill in the Blank: Users enter the answer in the text fields provided. Those answers are evaluated based on an exact text match.
- Multiple Answer: Multiple answer questions allow the user to choose more than one answer.
- Matching: Allows the user to pair questions to answers.
- Essay: Instructors provide Students with a question or statement. Students are given the opportunity to type or cut and paste an answer into a text field. Students may also use the Math and Science Notation Tool in Essay questions.
Remember that you are bound by the policies of the university. There will be no tolerance for academic dishonesty. If you suspect someone is cheating, please notify the instructor immediately - and privately.
Once you've completed the assessment, click on the "Submit" button. You'll be prompted again to make sure that you intend to take this action.
You will receive confirmation that your assessment has been submitted in a following display, like this sample:
If available, just click on "OK" to view the results and possible feedback.
That's all there is to it!
