ABSTRACT
An evaluation of learning for an online course should address the quality, quantity, and thoroughness of the assessment involved. At a classroom level, data enables the educator to track each student’s progress and to customize instruction to maximize learning. Many different perspectives exist regarding the role of evaluation of instructional programs and products. While some learning professionals see evaluation as a “post mortem” examination of how well the initiative reached its intended goals and outcomes, instructional designers typically view evaluation activities as an iterative component of the overall Instructional Design process. In addition to pre-assessments and formative assessment results, learner data can be obtained from a variety of student performance measures compiled at the school, district, state, and national levels. Learning analytics programs then evaluate and report this information to the learner or instructor so that measures can be taken to improve learning outcomes, personalize learning spaces, and recommend instructional interventions and adaptations.
