How to assess? Student preferences for methods to assess experiential learning: A best-worst scaling approach

Abstract

Transitioning from traditional in-person classroom formats to online instructional delivery methods and online student assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant challenge to effective teaching, learning, and evaluation. Although there is a growing literature assessing the relative efficacy of different online teaching techniques, previous literature has not analyzed, from the student perspective, what methods are preferred for evaluating performance in experiential learning courses. How students perceive assessment methods is critical because it can affect their learning experience and academic achievements. To better understand student preferences for assessment methods, the best-worst scaling approach was used in two online surveys of 218 undergraduate students enrolled in experiential learning-based programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of student responses indicates students’ highest levels of support for assessments that emphasize the development of critical thinking skills and professional skills, such as case studies. Most students would prefer assessments that are driving (develop different skills such as creative thinking) and realistic (develop skills transferable to the real world), while only a few (< 1%) prefer assessments that are fast (involve little time), frequent, safe (has preventive measures to eliminate cheating), or strategic (high probability of getting good grades).

The Preferences of Student’s Learning Method Based on Course, Gender and Age: Visual, Audio, Reading & Kinesthetic (VARK)

“…Most students have their own learning methods and preferences when it comes to academic performance. The learning methods preference describes the complex procedure/process by which students attempt to perceive, process, store, and retrieve information in an effective way (Melo et al, 2022). Learning methods vary between each student and although each student has a unique learning method, there are generally four types of learning methods that can be found among the students which are Visual (V), Auditory (A), Reading/Writing (R) and Kinesthetic (K) (Kamal et al, 2021).…”

Increasing employment outcomes for culturally diverse students through experiential learning in higher education

“…"The current and well-accepted indicators of college and career readiness show some evidence of predicting college student grade point average; however, other evidence suggests that these measures are misaligned with the knowledge and skills pertinent for success in college environments" (Lombardi et al, 2012, p.163). A survey was conducted by Melo et al in (2022) with 112 participants from Pontificia Universidad Catolica in Chile.…”

“…The survey included only those students who were enrolled in courses that involved experiential learning. According to Melo et al (2022) research, experiential learning-based assessments, such as lab activities, simulations, and case study analyses, are overwhelmingly favored by students. In contrast, supervised and time-constrained assessments were met with a strong aversion.…”