Communicate 4.1.1 Evaluation Methods and Communication Practices

How do communication practices in the online environment correlate to effective feedback?

Aside from facial expressions in a synchronous session with video capability (Google Hangout & Skype), communication in a virtual classroom is primarily conducted via feedback. This makes prompt and meaningful communication a mandatory element in keeping students engaged, monitoring students' overall progress so that instruction can be altered to better deliver content and facilitate understanding. It is always easier to minimize/avoid potential problems than to have to solve them.

As an instructor for GVL, there are many online assessment tools available to me allowing for quality feedback in a time-efficient way. Audio and audio-visual tools like Blabberize, Goanimate, Voki, Vocaroo and Audioboo allow teachers to provide meaningful verbal feedback to specific assignment. Altering the feedback channels will help reduce monotony for the learner.

Why is authentic feedback important for online learners?

True feedback that is relevant and specific is needed for an online learner to understand the nature of the misconceptions/mistakes he have committed. Comments that are targeted yet allow the learner to mentally rework the problem/activity are more instructive than just "telling him the 'right' answer." This constant exchange of ideas and comments IS learning/teaching. Audio tools permit that exchange more readily for some learners than others.

In what ways might an instructor enrich a student’s online experience through feedback?

Feedback can take many forms. An extended definition of feedback leads to the student's creation of a digital mind map (Popplet, Padlet, MindMeister, Bubbl.us) where he visually represents his understanding of course content. The teacher can view the diagram and "view" (infer) connections that should/shouldn't be made. Rubrics are available to aid teachers in "how" to "grade" (give accurate feedback) this type of summative assessment. Peer-to-peer feedback is also helpful when structured properly.