III. Key Considerations for Assessment Deployment
a. Timing Considerations (Time Zones, Duration, etc.)
When planning assessments, it is important to consider timing factors such as different time zones, duration of the assessment, and flexibility for students. This ensures fairness and accessibility for all students, especially in online courses or distributed campuses. Tools like time zone calculators can help instructors select optimal timings and offering multiple time slots can accommodate students from different regions.
BASIC Information
When planning assessments, especially for online courses or distributed campuses, it's important to consider when the assessment will take place. Factors such as different time zones, how long students will have to complete the assessment, and specific scheduling needs should all be considered to ensure fairness and accessibility for all students.
INTERMEDIATE Information
Timing is more than just picking a date and hour for the exam. It's about ensuring:
Equity for All Students: If you have students from all over the world, setting an exam at 10 AM in New York means 3 PM in London and 10 PM in Singapore.
Duration: Ensure there's sufficient time for students to think through and answer all questions, but not so much time that it unnecessarily prolongs anxiety. For a PA program, where practical and theoretical knowledge is tested, it's crucial that time is enough to test hands-on skills as well as written knowledge.
Flexibility: Offer alternative test timings or dates for students who have legitimate reasons they can't attend the primary schedule.
Technical Considerations: Ensure that the chosen platform can handle the simultaneous logins if all students are taking the assessment at the same time.
ADVANCED Information
Tools like WorldTimeBuddy or Time Zone Converter can help instructors select optimal timings.
Consider having multiple time slots to accommodate students from different regions.
Type of Questions: Multiple-choice questions generally take less time than essay questions or practical demonstrations.
Pilot Testing: Test the assessment duration with a smaller group to get an estimate of the required time. For instance, a mock diagnosis or treatment in a PA program can help gauge time needs.
Emergency Provisions:
Have a plan in place for students who face technical glitches. Maybe they get another chance or a different time slot.
Understand that unforeseen circumstances (illness, power outages, etc.) can disrupt a student's ability to take the test.
Use tools like Doodle or When2meet to find suitable times if you're offering flexibility.
Consider asynchronous assessments where students can choose when to take the assessment within a given window.
Time Management Training:
Equip students with strategies to manage their time effectively during the exam.
In a PA program, students could be taught to first tackle practical or hands-on questions they're confident about before moving on to more complex theoretical questions.