If ubiquitous learning (u-learning) is to be effectively developed and feasibly applied to education, it is necessary to evaluate its effectiveness. Yet to achieve a sound evaluation, a particular paradigm must be employed to fit the problem domain. Toward this end, the authors of this study have adopted a meaningful learning paradigm. Meaningful…

In this paper, prediction markets are presented as an innovative pedagogical tool which can be used to create a Rich Environment for Active Learning (REAL). Prediction markets are designed to make forecasts about specific future events by using a market mechanism to aggregate the information held by a large group of traders about that event into a…

This study examined the reliability and validity of Web-based portfolio peer assessment. Participants were 72 second-grade students from a senior high school taking a computer course. The results indicated that: 1) there was a lack of consistency across various student raters on a portfolio, or inter-rater reliability; 2) two-thirds of the raters…

This paper reports on one aspect of the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC)-funded project "Scoping a vision of formative e-assessment", namely on cases of formative e-assessment developed iteratively with the UK education practitioner community. The project, which took place from June 2008 to January 2009, aimed to identify…

All distance learning participants (students, professors, instructors, mentors, tutors and the rest) would like to know how well the students have assimilated the study materials being taught. The analysis and assessment of the knowledge students have acquired over a semester are an integral part of the independent studies process at the most…

The collection of student feedback is seen as a central strategy to monitor the quality and standards of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. The increasing use of technology to support face-to-face, blended and distance courses has led managers as well as practitioners to become increasingly concerned to identify appropriate…

Explores the role of assessment with respect to the processes and products of online collaborative study. Describes a qualitative case study of staff and student perspectives on two United Kingdom Open University courses, which have used online collaborative assessment, and discusses results which underline the importance of assessment in ensuring…

Reports case studies which evaluated the effectiveness and quality of several Open University (OU) computer-based courses. The case studies are used to draw out lessons about how to conduct evaluations and provide some conclusions about how learning can be promoted using computer-based teaching. (Author/AEF)

Describes evaluations of CAL (computer-assisted learning) at the Open University (Great Britain). Highlights include evaluation of science teaching; evaluation of the Home Computing Policy; CAL evaluation in the literature; and a framework for a principled approach to evaluation, including interactions with software, outcomes, and a case study.…

Discusses the effectiveness of computer mediated communication (CMC) in higher education. Highlights include a review of pertinent literature; factors associated with successful CMC resources; activity theory; helping users establish a shared purpose; methodological problems; evaluation methods; a conferencing system; and the patterns and content…

Considers the use of pre- and posttest results as formative evaluation tools and describes a small group evaluation of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) courseware dealing with French for banking. Test design is discussed, including standards, validity, and reliability; and results from user questionnaires are examined. (Contains 14…