What are the students Learning?

Sometimes it is good to step back and think: "Are the students really retaining what we teach?" I don't think that quizzes/tests are good at ascertaining this. Discussions help if you require posts and response to others. The key to good discussions is asking questions that do NOT have one right answer, having a good rubric and grading quickly. 

Another tool to ascertain learning is the Reflective Journals. I do think sometimes they are overdone. I teach one class where the designed course has a reflective journal every week. Students comment that it is too much. Newer versions of Course Management Systems do make journaling easier

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You don't need to grade journals, but it helps. Online students are very busy people, and if it is not required then often they will not do it. 

Another way is through a survey. In most Course Management System the students can get credit for doing the work but the posts are anonymous. That way they can be honest. Of course, depending on the level of the course you may want to do this as a discussion question. The advantage of that is the students can learn from each other. You would do that if the class really has formed a "learning community.”

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