Authentic learner assessment in an online environment: Using instructional design techniques to create an assessment model for an introductory computer science course

Development of the Internet and the World Wide Web just a few years ago gave birth to new learning environments such as electronic distributed education. Neither early attempts to transfer traditional scientific assessment models to an online learning environment, nor efforts to transpose more modern alternative or authentic assessment practices have been highly successful. There remains little evidence that an ideal model for assessing learners in an online learning environment has emerged, particularly in an introductory computer science, information technology or computer applications course. The theoretical basis for the study derives from the current multitude of challenges to the problem of authentic assessment in online learning environments. Practice has shown that simply transferring face-to-face classroom assessment tools and methods to an online environment is inadequate and that such methodologies do not constitute authentic assessment in the online instructional environment. A close analysis of methodologies currently in use in online assessment can provide the basis for developing a model for authentic assessment in an online computer science course. In order to build an authentic assessment model, this study attempts to identify assessment methodologies used in an online into the learning process, and promote further learning.