Alumni Alma Boutin-Martinez and Lorna Gonzalez of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School co-authored—with Dr. Joseph Hoey, Vice Provost for Academic Services at National University—the chapter “Evaluation and Assessment Models in Online Learning” in the recently published Handbook of Online Learning in Higher Education (Fielding University Press 2021).
In the chapter, the authors incorporate Banta and Palomba’s definition of assessment as “the process of providing credible evidence of resources, implementation actions, and outcomes underlying a purpose for improving the effectiveness of instruction, programs, or services in higher education.” In contrast, “evaluation applies judgment to data that’s gathered and interpreted through assessment,” according to Banta and Palomba. This article then examines the similarities and dissimilarities between assessment and evaluation. The chapter also centers assessment from the perspective of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility or DEIA.
The Handbook of Online Learning in Higher Education, edited by Kjell Rudestam, Judith Schoenholtz-Read, and Monique Snowden, is a timely and comprehensive response to the higher education crises triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Online learning has moved to the forefront of academia as institutes of higher learning around the world have been compelled to move their classroom courses to the virtual space with little preparation. The volume captures the experience of over 40 leading educators and professionals in online learning—both at traditional campuses and virtual organizations.
Alma Boutin-Martinez (Education, Ph.D., ’14) is the Associate Provost of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at Fielding Graduate University. Lorna Gonzalez (Education, Ph.D., ’18) is the Director of Digital Learning at California State University Channel Islands.
Here's a recent interview about the book chapter. You can also learn more about the chapter on YouTube (chapter-specific content begins at 1:53).