Online Assessments

Assessment is a critical component of the learning process, providing opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding and for instructors to measure progress toward course learning outcomes. In online and hybrid learning environments, assessments can take many forms—from quizzes and exams to discussions, projects, presentations, reflections, and collaborative activities.

Effective online assessments are intentionally designed to align with learning objectives, provide meaningful feedback, and engage students in active learning. While technology offers tools that can streamline grading and support academic integrity, successful assessment strategies focus first on what students should know and be able to do.

This page provides guidance and best practices for creating effective online assessments, promoting academic integrity, and leveraging Canvas tools to support student learning.

Best Practices for Online Assessments

No single assessment method can fully measure student learning. Using a variety of assessment approaches allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in multiple ways while reducing opportunities for academic dishonesty.

Examples of online assessments include:

  • Reading responses
  • Surveys and interviews
  • Discussions and reflective writing
  • Presentations and critiques
  • Individual and group projects
  • Research papers and case studies
  • Journals and ePortfolios
  • Peer reviews
  • Performance-based or personalized video recordings

Combining multiple assessment types creates a more comprehensive picture of student achievement and supports diverse learning preferences.

Breaking large assignments into smaller milestones allows students to receive feedback throughout the learning process rather than only at the end. This approach helps students stay on track, encourages revision and reflection, and often results in higher-quality final submissions.

Canvas tools such as Assignments and SpeedGrader can be used to provide timely feedback at each stage of a project.

Authentic assessments ask students to apply what they have learned to realistic situations and challenges. These activities encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and the practical application of knowledge.

Examples include:

  • Case studies
  • Project-based learning
  • Professional presentations
  • Simulations and role-playing activities
  • Community-based or workplace-related assignments

Rubrics can help establish clear expectations and provide consistent evaluation criteria for authentic assessments.

Students are more likely to succeed when assessment requirements are clearly communicated. Rubrics provide transparency by outlining evaluation criteria and performance expectations before students begin their work.

Consider using rubrics for:

  • Discussions
  • Written assignments
  • Projects
  • Presentations
  • Group work and collaboration

Canvas supports rubric creation and integration directly within assignments and discussions.

Collaborative learning activities help students develop communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while learning from their peers.

Effective group assessments often include:

  • Individual accountability measures
  • Team-based deliverables
  • Peer evaluations
  • Self-reflection activities

When structured intentionally, collaborative assignments can strengthen engagement and foster a sense of community within online courses.

Promoting Academic Integrity in Online Assessments

While no assessment method can completely eliminate academic dishonesty, thoughtful assessment design can help encourage authentic student work and reduce opportunities for misconduct.

Consider the following strategies:

  • Reduce High-Stakes Testing: Students are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior when a single assessment carries significant weight. Consider using multiple lower-stakes assessments throughout the semester rather than relying heavily on one or two major exams.
  • Limit Assessment Availability: Restricting access to quizzes and exams through availability dates and time limits can help ensure students complete assessments within the intended timeframe.

  • Randomize Questions and Answers: Canvas quiz settings allow instructors to:

    • Shuffle answer choices
    • Randomize question order
    • Draw questions from question banks
    • Present different questions to different students

    These options create unique assessment experiences while measuring the same learning outcomes.

  • Present Questions One at a Time: Displaying one question at a time and locking answered questions can reduce opportunities for students to revisit questions after sharing information with others.
  • Use Personalized or Applied Questions: Questions that require students to connect course concepts to their own experiences, professional contexts, or unique scenarios are more difficult to replicate and often promote deeper learning.
  • Control Feedback Availability: If providing correct answers after an assessment, consider limiting how long that information remains available to students. This can help reduce the distribution of assessment content while still supporting learning.
  • Use Secure Testing Tools When Appropriate: Respondus LockDown Browser can be used to limit access to external applications, websites, printing, and copying during online exams. When using LockDown Browser, it is recommended to provide students with a practice quiz before any graded assessment to help identify and resolve technical issues.

Additional Resources

Professional Development Opportunities

The Office for Faculty Excellence offers workshops and training session that provide hands-on support for creating effective, engaging, and secure online assessments.

Workshops & Training

Canvas Faculty Orientation Course

The Canvas Faculty Orientation Course provides guidance on assessment design, course development, and effective use of Canvas teaching tools.

Canvas Faculty Orientation Course

Canvas Guides

Explore Canvas documentation and tutorials to learn more about quiz settings, question banks, rubrics, assignments, and assessment tools.

Quiz Settings to Maximize Security

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