Assessing Open and Distance Learners

Most works on assessment assume a face-to-face teaching context. The few that don't, assume that assessment issues are largely generic and equally applicable in face-to-face, open or distance contexts. Unfortunately, reality is far removed from this generalized viewpoint and, as the authors of this book point out, once assessment is considered from the open or distance learner's perspective it becomes very apparent that new approaches to assessment have to be developed.
Written by practitioners in ODL for other practitioners, this is neither a book that preaches nor one that takes the abstract high ground. Offering concrete advice and evidence, it will help readers both to reflect upon their personal approaches to assessment and to adapt their techniques in order to benefit learners.

Chris Morgan is lecturer and course developer in the Teaching and Learning Unit at Southern Cross University in Australia.