Adopting the Pedagogy of Trust and its Impact on Learning

Abstract

In this work, we present the results of our attempts to transit into a trust-based assessment environment for adult learners. The impact of utilizing an honour system of assessment throughout a course on data structures and algorithm design has been evaluated. The performance of the students has been compared with the performance of students from two previous cohorts that appeared for the same assessments in an invigilated environment. We found that with adult learners, who are more focused on learning the concepts to hone specific skills for applicability at their workplace, the performance variation between the test cohort and the reference cohorts was not significant. With further evidence of this promising initial step, we could evolve into a larger portfolio-based education framework in which students can showcase their competence and skills through a collection of projects and assessments (formative as well as summative), to help with their career growth. Establishment of such pedagogies will help our students step out of their comfort zone, undertake exploratory studies, be willing to unearth their vulnerabilities, and work to improve their shortcomings to help them advance their careers.

A Short Review of Online Learning Assessment Strategies

“…This approach is often useful if the class comprises adult learners who are taking courses to help advance their careers. Such students are often more driven to understand the essence of the subject and are more committed to learning than securing a grade on an assessment (Gaganpreet Sidhu & Srinivasan, 2022a).…”

Instructor Perceptions of e-Proctoring Software

“…Administering online evaluations. Assessment is considered integral to learning as a form of evaluating students' learning and educational mastery, and comprises one of the main elements of online learning [71]. Assessments also pose one of the most challenging aspects of online learning due to the lack of direct control and access to students and educators, and difficulty in ensuring academic integrity [38,60].…”

“…3. Increasing instructor-student trust relations: Establishing trust with students is an important aspect of effective pedagogy [71]. Cultivating trust requires instructors to acknowledge and reckon with the inherent power dynamics of instructor-student relationships in an effective manner [21].…”