Investigation of Pre-Service Teachers' Opinions on Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Formative Assessment: An Example of Online Multiple-Choice Exam

Year 2020, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 1 - 8, 29.06.2020

Fatma Gizem Karaoğlan Yılmaz , Ahmet Berk Ustun , Ramazan Yılmaz

Abstract

The interest in using online formative assessment activities has gradually increased in both traditional teaching and distance education processes. Research emphasizes the importance of using online formative assessment in learning processes. Due to this fact, it is essential to uncover pre-service teachers’ thoughts about online formative assessment activities in a critical manner. Because they will decide whether to employ these activities in the educational field in a few years. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore pre-service teachers’ opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of online formative assessment. The research was conducted on 35 pre-service teachers enrolled in Computer I course during an academic term. They participated in online formative assessment activities every week within the scope of the research. An online formative assessment system based on multiple-choice exams and providing immediate feedback was developed. Data were collected through using a semi-structured interview method and content analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The advantages and disadvantages of using online formative assessment activities that provide immediate feedback in the form of a multiple-choice exam were revealed according to pre-service teachers’ opinions as a result of this study. Various practical and constructive suggestions were offered for the design, development and implementation of online formative assessment in accordance with the results obtained from the research.

Keywords

Online formative assessment, feedback, immediate feedback, multiple choice exam, pre-service teachers, online education, online learning

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