Accessibility

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Parallel parking for your eLearning course
  3. Selecting the right assessment type
  4. Assessment makeovers

How do you know that they know? Building valid assessments in Adobe Captivate

Assessment makeovers

Explore the assessment samples in Figures 7 through 9. These examples are based on the same content as the samples shown earlier but they have been revised to better assess the learner's mastery of the objectives. The sample in Figure 7 employs more instructionally aligned and robustly written multiple choice items that make use of the randomization and pooling features of Adobe Captivate 3. The sample in Figure 8 prompts the learner to set margins in a simulated version of Microsoft Word. The learner is provided parameters for the task with minimal guidance. All of the learner's interactions, both correct and incorrect, are sent to and tracked by a learning management system. Figure 9 represents a small portion of a scenario-based assessment item that immerses the learner in the role of hotel front desk representative. The learner is given a situation, choices, and feedback. Depending on their actions, learners would branch off to different parts of the scenario-based assessment and receive points based on the choices they make.

Multiple choice items that use random and pooling features.

Figure 7. After: Sample of a test on global warming.

After: Sample of a test on setting margins in Microsoft Word.

Figure 8. After: Sample of a test on setting margins in Microsoft Word.

After: Sample of a test in handling customer conflict.

Figure 9. After: Sample of a test in handling customer conflict.

Needless to say, despite all of the dread and angst, I successfully passed my parallel parking test and drove home victoriously with my shiny new driver's license in hand. And despite the odds, I can still parallel park today (admittedly, not without bumping the curb a couple of times). By properly aligning the assessment items to the instructional objectives of your course, you too can more accurately measure not just your learner's knowledge but their ability to apply that knowledge and complete the tasks they need to perform to be successful.

Where to go from here

To learn more about assessments and how to select and create tests that accurately measure your learners' proficiency, consult the printed resources listed below, download the handout (PDF, 338K), and the Adobe Captivate Developer Center.

References

Clark, R.C. (2008).  Development Technical Training: A Structured Approach for Developing Classroom and Computer-basedInstructional Materials, 3rd Edition.  San Francisco: Pfieffer.

Shrock, S.A., & Coscarelli, W.C. (2007).  Criterion-referenced Test Development: Technical and Legal Guidelines for Corporate Training, 3rd Edition.  San Francisco: Pfieffer.

 

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