Using the World Wide Web for formative assessment

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that formative assessments and feedback on performance can play an important role in supporting learning. In traditional teaching and learning paradigms, students are constrained by time, place, and resources in the extent to which they may access such support. These problems can be addressed using computer based systems, and the World Wide Web has great potential as a platform for these. This article describes the implementation and use of such a system, which proved popular with students. Patterns of usage are discussed, as is the role of such systems in current and future models of higher education.