Self Assessment in online education

Abstract

The purpose behind rendering this research proposal is to investigate how the learning outcomes of Saudi student engaged in online education are affected by readiness and self-assessment. The Participants would include Saudi students engaged in online education course in different subjects. Apart from Saudi students, a few teachers would be included as well. The participants will be asked to answer questions based on MCQs. They will additionally be interviewed to further determine the perceptions that Saudi students hold regarding the use of a 'Readiness Self-Assessment' tool before deciding on a course. Another purpose would be to highlight the impact of self-assessment and readiness on the learning outcomes of Saudi students in online education, and how it serves to improve the performance of online courses being offered.

Research Proposal: Determining the perceptions of Saudi students regarding a 'Readiness Self-Assessment' tool before deciding on an online course and its effectiveness in increasing performances of online courses

Introduction

Background of the Study

The concept of online education may have commenced in the 20th century, but education at a distance has been going on for more than a hundred years. Before the concept of online education emerged, distance education was being offered through the postal service by exchanging study materials. The post office came out to be the most effective medium in ensuring distance education as the delivery of assignments all depended on the efficiency of the post office. With the arrival of radio and Television, distance education became easier and more reachable, but still relied very much on the postal services. However, with the arrival of internet services, the scenario changed. The internet provided a medium in which content could be exchanged instantaneously. Assignments could now be delivered through e-mails which was a more effective and efficient source of exchange of information than the postal services. Furthermore, conversational processes could now be followed by live video chat and discussion postings on the internet. The availability of enormous amounts of academic material content was also ensured.

The past two decades has seen many educational institutes venturing in online education to accommodate an increasing number of online students. The need for this venture arose as a greater part of the community needed to be served and there was a growing desire to provide a cheaper need of medium with online classes that would help prevent financial drain of resources on account of the expense incurred on the infrastructure of the college or university campuses. The development of virtual universities has become an economically feasible means of providing quality education without having had to build up a building for classrooms.

In Saudi Arabia, the pace towards online or distance education has been much lower as compared to other countries. In fact, the history of Saudi Arabia in using the electronic medium for education has been a short one. This trend has changed in recent times, as Saudi Arabia realizing the need for online education has decided to develop on this model to ensure an increasing imparting of ...