evaluation

RACEV target is to make easier the on-line collaborative learning between students, by analyzing social interaction phenomenon within higher education. Using this knowledge, we try to provide pedagogical strategies to teachers.

During the conference, which will be held in Barcelona on 26 and 27 November 2012, we will be inviting participants to share their experiences and ideas focused in the exploration and study of collaborative on-line learning topic, from three points of view:

Focus 1: Experiences on collaborative tools and platforms

• Tools to encourage collaborative learning in students
• Conceptual proposals and innovative practical experiences in collaborative networking learn.
• Social networks and virtual communities.

Focus 2: Collaborative methodical proccesses

• Pedagogical directions for the collaborative learning through ICT.
• Pedagogical directions to support collaboration and interaction between on-line students.
• E-learning for a collaborative culture.

Focus 3: Collaborative processes evaluation

• Fundamentals and considerations about the collaborative processes evaluation.
• Tools for the collaborative network processes evaluation.

The range of experiences, options and solutions in the marketplace is growing rapidly. For those selecting, implementing or using computer based assessment (in all its forms) this is challenging and the change management processes, daunting.

A broad range of learning, training and study is now assessed using technology. The scope and coverage grows each year

• The tools and techniques in the marketplace are becoming increasingly sophisticated and traditional doubts and barriers are being overcome.
• A number of large scale qualifications are using e-Assessment and considerable experience is being gained in education, training and industry.
• There is an increasing expectation by students, employees, assessors and government that the technology will be available to use in a secure, robust and fit for purpose manner.

The e-Assessment Question has become the key event for discussing all the issues surrounding the practical application of computerised testing and assessment. The impressive attendance of the last seven years and the wide range of speakers and exhibitors have shown that there is real interest from the classroom to the workplace in the use of e-Assessment.

It is difficult to rate the quality of educational material since it depends on each context and also on how the resources are used. The quality of eLearning courseware can not be objectively measured by size, length or weight. For this reason, subjective oriented criteria play an important role and naturally shift the challenge to the evaluators themselves, their selection and their own perspective.

‘epprobate’ provides an international quality label for eLearning courseware, but more importantly offers a consultative and collaborative improvement process by taking into consideration the points of view of the different stakeholders. According to Harvey Mellar, director of ‘epprobate’, the objective of ‘epprobate’ is to complement rather than to compete with the existing quality initiatives: “Many of our colleagues who are participating in ‘epprobate’ are already running a national quality label; however, their particular interest in coming together in ‘epprobate’ is to build an international consensus ”.

Starting in last May 2011, the ‘epprobate’ initiative developed its first prototypes including the review process and the quality grid in July. Rolf Reinhardt, managing director of the ‘Learning Agency Network’ and one of the co-founders of ‘epprobate’, explains that one of the key factors in achieving a fruitful and enriching scenario was the collaboration of more than 16 experts from all over the world: “During our benchmark analysis we compared existing quality grids from different nations - in the end, we agreed on a flexible grid with 11 indicators, with the courseware to be rated on each one by excellence and importance”.

The group rejected the use of a simple formula based on numerical processing of scores on the indicators, which is the classic basis for excellence ratings. Instead, the international awarding committee will hold discussion meetings with the client, provide feedback reports, and communicate the agreed ratings on each of the indicators. The decision to award the label will be based on a transparent process of weighting of indicators by their importance. ‘epprobate’ has already identified national partners from 28 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific region, as well as in North and South America.

The official roll-out of the label will be in March 2012, to coincide with an informative and festive event in Brussels.

More information:

Rolf Reinhardt

epprobate

+32 (0)2 808 03 65

+32 (0)2 791 97 11

secretariat@epprobate.com