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July 4, 2006
Doing assessments of Information fluency and library research training
If you teach and want fast feedback on your programs, you might want to check out this online resource developed in Canada at Mount Royal College. I heard about this at one of the June Conferences.
It's called FAST: Free Assessment Summary School. It's at http://www.getfast.ca.
"Traditionally, teaching assessments are conducted at the end of a course - a practice precluding students from offering constructive feedback while they are still in the course. However, conducting instructor-designed and administered web-based course assessments opens a proactive dialogue with students about teaching, the course, and the entire learning process."
From their FAQ:
"
What is FAST?
FAST is an anonymous online survey tool that automatically summarizes students' impressions of a course and/or teacher and supplies the data directly to the teacher.
Who should use FAST?
Teachers who are committed to improving their teaching/courses through their students' comments.
What does FAST do?
FAST allows a teacher to develop an online survey that students can complete 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Teachers can ask up to 20 questions (and change them whenever they want) to determine how students are finding their teaching and the course. The software automatically summarizes and consolidates the students' comments, in real-time, on the web or into a downloadable customized Excel spreadsheet.
Why should I use FAST?
We believe there are many reasons why you should consider using FAST.
First, giving students a mechanism by which they can comment on your teaching and your class confirms and substantiates your commitment to becoming a better teacher.
Second, FAST helps you to see what your students' impressions are during the course, not just at the end of it, and thus, mid-course changes and modifications are possible when warranted.
Third, teachers can ask up to 20 questions of their own (using multiple question formats) or they can select from our list of over 300 questions that have been tested for validity and reliability.
Fourth, FAST ensures that all student data is completely anonymous - a consideration that no print-based survey can equal.
Fifth, by asking your students for feedback you are becoming a co-learner with your students and by doing so becoming intimately involved with the teaching and learning process/environment.
Sixth, FAST is free and is easy to use.
Who can use FAST?
Any teacher or student with access to the Internet.
Who owns FAST?
FAST is owned equally between Bruce Ravelli, Zvjezdan Patz and Mount Royal College.
What does FAST cost?
There are no costs for teachers or students who use the software to survey the learning process. FAST is contractually obligated to remain free until (at least) October 2006. Any changes after that date would require the unanimous consent of all co-owners."
This appears to be an easy entre into the world of online assessment. Do we really have the data to prove that our training works? Wouldn't it be powerful if we did!
Stephen
Posted by stephen at July 4, 2006 2:31 AM
Comments
Don't forget we have certificates. You can go to https://www.getfast.ca too for those encrypted surveys. Thanks for mentioning our little project.
Posted by: Zvjezdan Patz at July 4, 2006 7:59 PM
Stephen,
Thanks so much for mentioning FAST on your site. Z and I are working hard to keep the site running smoothly and making it easier for our teaching colleagues hear from their students.
Also, for your readers information, FAST will remain free as long as Z and I are involved in the project - and, neither of us are interested in charging for it.
Thanks again Stephen.
Bruce
Posted by: Bruce Ravelli at July 5, 2006 7:58 AM