Assessment Strategies in Distance Learning

1. SCHOOL BASED
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
(INSET) FOR TEACHERS
March 15-19, 2021

2. Assessment Strategies in
Remote Learning/ Distance
Learning
Jerome M. Dela Cruz
Master Teacher I

3. Objectives
• Know what is remote learning and distance
learning
• Know the different assessment strategies in
remote learning and distance learning.
• Know the Tips for parents in remote
learning and distance learning

4. Let Us Think
• What is remote learning?
• What is distance learning?

5. Remote Learning is where the student and the educator,
or information source, are not physically present in a traditional
classroom environment. Information is relayed through technology,
such as discussion boards, video conferencing, and online
assessments. Remote Learning can occur synchronously with real-
time peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration, or asynchronously,
with self-paced learning activities that take place independently of
the instructor.

6. • Remote Learning refers to educational activities that
have a variety of formats and methods, most of which take place online.
There are a number of online options available for communicating with
students, collecting assignments, and distributing education material.

7. Distance Learning also called distance education, e-learning or online learning
and printed or modular distance learning, form of education in which the main
elements include physical separation of teachers and students during instruction and the
use of various technologies to facilitate student-teacher and student-student
communication. Distance learning traditionally has focused on nontraditional students,
such as full-time workers, military personnel, and nonresidents or individuals in remote
regions who are unable to attend classroom lectures. However, distance learning has
become an established part of the educational world, with trends due to global pandemic.

8. Different Strategies in
Distance Learning and
Remote learning

9. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
1.Peer assessment
• Constructive peer feedback helps students learn while providing you
with formative insights into the progress of all involved. Model what
helpful feedback looks like, and then monitor the comments each
student receives to stay informed of individual progress. It’s much
easier than providing written feedback for every student yourself.
• Peer feedback can be conducted online via a discussion board where
students post their work, or a synchronous tool (e.g. Skype or Zoom)
where students discuss each other’s work in real time. Many of your
students will already be connected via social media, so encourage
them to share work on these platforms too.

10. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Provide exemplars of feedback that is specific, constructive and detailed.
• Partner students carefully if you are concerned about the integrity of peer
feedback. Alternatively, you could choose to make it anonymous.
• Make sure peer feedback takes a written form so that you can access it.
Student feedback is often more considered when committed to writing as
well.
• Use the feedback itself as a formative assessment of the
student providing that feedback. If they struggle to articulate their thoughts or
identify significant aspects of a peer’s work, then they are likely to have their
own gaps in understanding.

11. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
2. Independent projects
• Project-based assessments translate seamlessly to distance
education because they revolve around independent inquiry. They
also produce a single, substantial piece of work that assesses across
multiple criteria as opposed to just one or two.
• You can base a project around a research topic, problem-solving
activity, a creative activity, or a mix of different learning opportunities.
For example, task students with researching a real-world problem that
links to your studied content and then have them design a creative
solution based on what they have learned. Team this with a reflection
and you have an assessment that is rich with learning opportunities
along the way.

12. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Scaffold each section of the task (e.g. brainstorming, researching,
creating) with clear a clear model.
• Set aside plenty of time. Project-based learning is rich, but it cannot be
rushed.
• Use this as an opportunity to teach students web research skills:
searching, finding credible sources and referencing.
• Schedule regular check-ins where students provide a progress
update, but step out of the way to allow for independent learning.
• Set clear submission requirements: deadline, file type, and
destination.

13. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
3. Jigsaw projects
• Individual projects can be transformed into collaborative ones using
the jigsaw approach. You’ll be able to assess students’ teamwork
abilities while lightening your marking load.
• Group students with a shared project but assign them different roles
which they must put together to generate a final product. These roles
might see students take responsibility for different areas of research,
or different components of the final product.

14. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• You can let students assign their own roles within the group. Just
ensure that you know the responsibility of each student.
• Provide individual marks for each member of the group but save time
by writing a single piece of detailed feedback for the group as a whole.

15. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
4. Self-assessment
• A students’ reflection on their own learning reveals their understanding
and precisely locates the gaps and difficulties that need intervention.
Self-assessment is invaluable in online environments where you do
not get to see student learning in action.
• Ease students into the process of self-assessment with a simple
Google Forms survey or questionnaire. This can then develop into
more extended written reflections or the use of a self-assessment
rubric. Students could also record verbal statements or include
reflective captions as part of a portfolio.

16. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Productive self-assessment takes time to master. Make it a regular activity.
• Model the language and self-questioning used to generate productive
reflection.
• Reward integrity and honesty.
• Use self-assessments to inform one-on-one discussion with a student or
parental conversations.
• Keep a record of student self-assessments. These can be used to help
students chart their own progress.
• Scaffold the process carefully. Provide a structured resource with prompts if
students are writing an extended reflection.

17. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
5. Learning journals
• Journals, where students write regularly about their own learning, will
provide you with a constant source of formative assessment. It also
builds students’ metacognitive abilities –their ability to ‘think about
thinking’.
• Online learning journals can be as simple as a Word document. You
can also use free blogging platforms (e.g. Live Journal or Blogger),
video diaries or voice recordings for greater interactivity and
engagement.

18. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Learning journals can be freeform or you might encourage students to
reflect on specific aspects of their progress. Here are some examples:
• Challenge journals: Reflect on any challenges experienced during
the week’s learning and plan strategies for improvement.
• Success journals: Reflect on the high points of the week’s learning.
New concepts understood, interesting pieces of knowledge gained
and problems overcome.
• Visual diaries: Students can use Paint or a simple digital illustrator to
draw or doodle something inspired by the week’s learning.
• Question journals: Students write three questions each day to inform
future learning or independent inquiry.

19. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Plan a platform where learning journals are visible to you alone if
students are hesitant to share with their peers.
• Use journal entries to inform future learning activities for individuals.
• Model the reflection process for journal writing. Self-questioning
(“What interested me most?”, “What part did I find hardest?”) is an
effective way of encouraging deeper reflection.

20. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
6. Portfolios
• Portfolios are a perfect assessment tool for distance education, with many
schools having already adopted digital portfolios in place of the old filing
system.
• Use your LMS to set up a designated portfolio space for each student.
Alternatively, you could use cloud software such as OneNote or Google
Classroom. Dedicated portfolio platforms such as Seesaw are also available.
Students can use this space to upload select pieces of work for assessment.
• The ongoing nature of a student portfolio means that it can be used as both
a formative and summative assessment. You can check student progress at
any time by accessing their portfolio work and formally assess the final
product at the conclusion of a learning unit.

21. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Set a goal for your students’ portfolios. What specific learning do you want to
see displayed?
• Decide whether you want your students’ portfolios to demonstrate mastery or
progress. This will determine what pieces of work should be included.
• Instruct students to include set pieces of work, but also let them choose
some of their own. This will give them ownership over their portfolio and
prompt self-reflection.
• Encourage reflection as part of the portfolio. For example, each work piece
could be accompanied by a caption where the student explains why they
chose to include it.

22. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
7. Video presentations and podcasts
• Oral assessments function even more effectively online than they do in the
classroom. The lack of a visible audience reduces anxiety and you have the
opportunity to revisit their speaking as many times as you need in the form of
a recording.
• You can also encourage students to make use of multimedia components for
more engaging presentations. The ‘record’ function on MS PowerPoint
makes it easy for students to combine voice with a slide presentation and
tech-savvy students might like to experiment with editing software.
• You will be surprised what they have the capacity to produce!
• Podcasts are a substitute for standard oral presentations. Consider grouping
students together as a ‘panel’ to encourage dynamic discussion, as opposed
to scripted monologues.

23. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Coach students on the basics of online verbal communication, such as
speaking clearly and into a microphone.
• Have students do a test submission of their files so that they can
troubleshoot any uploading issues.
• If you have the capacity, students could do live presentations to their
peers over Zoom, Teams or Skype. They can also share their screens
on these platforms.
• Remember to put the emphasis on the content of their presentation.
Engaging multimedia should take the place of good verbal expression
and information

24. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
8. Online discussion
• Unlike classroom discussion, student comments on online message
boards can be read as many times as you need to make an informed
assessment of learning. Students also have time to post detailed and
considered responses that you would not ordinarily get in a live
setting.
• Online discussion can also be factored into a summative assessment
if you clearly specify the criteria being addressed. You might use it to
assess a student’s content knowledge, written communication,
participation, collaboration or ability to make connections.

25. Different Strategies in Distance
Learning and Remote learning
Tips
• Set a protocol for online discussion which briefs students on respectful
and effective communication strategies.
• Promote quality contributions to online discussion as opposed to
quantity. Specifying a certain amount of responses invites
superficiality.
• Monitor and facilitate online discussions with leading questions and
prompts.

26. DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS
1. Establish routines and expectations
It is important to develop good habits from the start. Create a
flexible routine and talk about how it’s working over time. Chunk your
days into predictable segments. Help students get up, get dressed and
ready to learn at a reasonable time. Everybody make your bed! Keep
normal bedtime routines, including normal rules for digital devices. Adjust
schedules to meet everyone’s needs but don’t default to staying up late
and sleeping in (However, a ‘duvet day’ now and then can be a treat).

27. 2. Choose a good place to learn
Your family’s regular learning space for occasional homework
might not work for extended periods. Set up a physical location that’s
dedicated to school-focused activities. Make sure it is quiet, free from
distractions and has a good internet connection. Make sure an adult
monitors online learning. Keep doors open, and practice good digital
safety. Our teachers, counsellors and safeguarding teams will do the
same.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

28. 3. Stay in touch
Teachers will mainly be communicating regularly through our
online platforms and virtual learning environments. Make sure everyone
knows how to find the help they need to be successful. Stay in contact
with classroom and support teachers, school leaders and counsellors but
understand it may take a day or two for us to respond. If you have
concerns, let someone know.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

29. 4. Help students ‘own’ their learning
No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or to be
educational and content matter experts. Provide support and
encouragement, and expect your children to do their part. Struggling is
allowed and encouraged! Don’t help too much. Becoming independent
takes lots of practice. At ACS, your child usually engages with others
students and any number of adults hundreds of times each day. Many of
these social interactions will continues from a distance, but they will be
different. You cannot replace them all, and that’s OK.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

30. 5. Begin and end the day by checking-in
In the morning, you might ask:
• What classes/subject do you have today?
• Do you have any assessments?
• How will you spend your time?
• What resources do you need?
• What can I do to help?
At the end of the day you might ask:
• How far did you get in your learning tasks today?
• What did you discover? What was hard?
• What could we do to make tomorrow better?
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

31. 5. Begin and end the day by checking-in
These brief grounding conversations matter. Checking in students
to process instructions they received from their teachers, and it helps
them organise themselves and set priorities – older students too. Not all
students thrive in distance learning; some struggle with too much
independence or lack of structure. These check-in routines can help
avoid later challenges and disappointments. They help students develop
self-management and executive functioning that are essential skills for
life. Parents are good life coaches.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

32. 6. Establish times for quiet and reflection
For families with children of different ages, and parents who may
also be unexpectedly working from home more often, it’s good to build in
some time for peace and quiet. Siblings may need to work in different
rooms to avoid distraction. Many families will need to negotiate access to
devices, priorities for wi-fi bandwidth and schedules throughout the day.
Noise-cancelling headphones are an idea. And one day a week is
already planned for independent, low-stress learning. Reading is
fundamental.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

33. 7. Encourage physical activity and exercise
Living and working at home, we will all need some room to let off
steam. Moving (independently and together as a family) is vital to health,
wellbeing, and readiness for learning. It’s a great opportunity to practice
exercising ‘alone together’ with digital workouts and online instructors.
Set new fitness goals and plan hands-on, life-ready activities that keep
hands busy, feet moving, and minds engaged. You may want to think
about how your children can pitch in more around the house with chores
or other responsibilities. Now’s a good time to think about increasing
personal responsibility and pitching in.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

34. 8. Manage stress and make the most of an unusual situation
We are going through a time of major upheaval to our normal routines
and ways of life, and there’s a great deal of anxiety in the world right now.
Emotions may be running high, and children may be worried or fearful. Parents
may be stressed as well and children are often keenly aware of trouble.
Children benefit when they get age-appropriate factual information and ongoing
reassurance from trusted adults. We have put in place layers of support for
ACS students, so please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, school
leader or support team if you needs assistance or advice. In these
circumstances, it’s often possible to reframe challenges as opportunities: for
spending time together, discovering new ideas and interests, investing energy
and attention in activities that often get pushed aside by everyday tasks and
responsibilities. Experts advise that it’s a good idea to slow down, find beauty,
enjoy unexpected benefits, and express gratitude by helping others. The
strength of ACS’s community will help see us through.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

35. 9. Monitor time on-screen and online
Distance learning does not mean staring at computer screens
seven and half hours every day. Teachers will aim to build in variety, but
it will require some trial and error before everyone finds balance between
online and close-space offline learning experiences. Work together to
find ways to prevent ‘down time’ from becoming just more ‘screen time’.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

36. 10. Connect safely with friends, and be kind
The initial excitement of school being closed will fade quickly
when students start missing their friends, classmates, and teachers. Help
your children maintain contact with friends through social media and
other online technologies. But monitor your child’s social media use.
Remind your child to be polite, respectful and appropriate in their
communications, and to follow school guidelines in their interactions with
others. Report unkindness and other problems so that everyone
maintains healthy relationships and positive interactions.
DISTANCE LEARNING
TIPS FOR PARENTS

37. Trust your Judgement
• Remember that your professional judgement is always
enough to reliably assess student learning. Don’t feel the
need to bring cumbersome testing methods into online
teaching in an attempt to maintain control. Experiment with
new strategies, get creative and – most importantly – trust
yourself. You might change your whole approach to
assessment in the process.

38. Finding strategies to consistently and fairly assess
distance learners is paramount to ensuring equity and
legitimacy in our new classroom environments, whether
they be online, modular, in class, or a combination of
both.
Trust your Judgement

39. Thank You!

40. REFERENCES
• https://www.3plearning.com/blog/online-assessment-
strategies-distance-teachers-learners/
• https://www.edutopia.org/article/formative-assessment-
distance-learning
• https://www.acs-schools.com/parents-guide-distance-
learning