Online Assessment and Feedback Experiences of Occupational Therapy Students

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a global crisis in higher education, where students were required to transition to emergency remote teaching (ERT). This study explored students' experiences of online assessments and feedback during the pandemic to inform future practice.

Methodology: This study utilised a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative design with purposeful sampling to describe students’ experiences of online assessments. Data were collected from occupational therapy students in 2022. The Assessment Experiences Questionnaire was sent to all eligible participants (n=166). Data were analysed using SPSS version 28.

Results: Students reported that 'tackling' assignments made them apply their learning more deeply (79.75%; n=63). More than half of the students learned more from doing assignments than studying course material (61.25%; n=49). The majority of students felt they did not receive timely feedback through online assessments (67.5%, n=54), which impacted their learning. More than half of the students used feedback in preparation for assignments (56.25%; n=45), hence timely and quality feedback was needed.

Conclusion: Occupational therapy students had a positive experience of online assessments; however, the transition was challenging. It is recommended for lecturers to consider the challenges of online assessments, the number of assessments and timely feedback for an effective online learning process.

Implications for Practice

• For online learning to be effective, relevant and timely access to resources and support systems are required. These include internet access, resources like laptops and smartphones which facilitate engagement with remote learning.
• The provision of institutional and academic support can positively influence students' experiences of online learning.
• Timing and quality of feedback is essential to the online learning experience. Delayed feedback can negatively impact learning, emphasising the importance of timely feedback to aid student growth and improved learning outcomes.
• Students experiences and perceptions of how they receive feedback change over time. Thus, personalised feedback focusing on improvement rather than comparison to peers should be emphasised in the learning environments to which they are exposed.
• The importance of effective time management in students is emphasised for online learning and students need to be equipped with these skills for this mode of learning.