Thoughts to Ponder

Does the global nature of the web have an effect on evaluation?

Obviously there has to be a language difference in evaluation. An evaluation created in Russian would do kids in eastern Tennessee no good at all and wouldn't be fair. I guess the question for me is that if the communication/language barrier can be resolved, then does the global web effect evaluation? I think it can. I don't think that is must always, but it certainly can. We have to remember that cultures are different and experiences can be different. Yes, kids in east Tennessee have many similar experiences and a similar culture. But compare that to East Kenya and suddenly kids aren't thinking the same. I think for evaluations to work globally within the web, they have to be very broad and as culturally neutral as possible. Now culturally neutral may not be totally obtainable but if done right it can almost be accomplished.

Are the goals and objectives changed when you take a course online compared to classroom based instruction?

No way. If a class if offered online and in the classroom, then the major goals and objectives should be the same. It only makes sense. What students should be learning should be the same online or in classrooms. The methods, techniques, and tools used to learn may be different, but the final goals should be the same. If they are not, then I'm not sure if it would even be the same course. This seemed like a no brainer to me, but I'm interested to see what others have to say.