012--Ethical and Technical Challenges of Grading in Teaching Online in Higher Education
Presented by: Robert Bonometti, Shenandoah University

SESSION CANCELLED

The online classroom environment poses many challenges that are either new to traditional teaching environments or are exacerbated by the online format. One area that requires special attention is that of assessing student performance in an online environment.

In this paper, we will review the collection of issues associated with graded assessments in online formats. These issues include:

• Lack of a proctored setting with corresponding inability to monitor and verify that the submitted work was generated solely by the student being evaluated and that work on timed exercises was completed within the allotted time.

• Technical difficulties

• Nonrepudiation issues in which students claim that they (a) never received the test or the notice to take the test, or (b) completed the requirements and submitted their work on time.

Solutions to the ethical problems posed by online student assessments range from technology-based approaches, such as biometric sensors to behavior modification approaches, such as developing a greater sense of ethical conduct. We will review the various technical and behavioral solution approaches, and discuss their respective pros and cons. In particular, we will examine the premise that online educational programs might actually offer the prospect of enhancing the moral and ethical development of students.