Distance Education (EAD) has been gaining more and more prominence in recent years. This is because the modality guarantees a series of interesting advantages to students, such as flexibility, the possibility of setting up their own schedules, excellent cost-benefit, among others. This, many people already know. What may still be new to some is that, although the classes are 100% online, there are also face-to-face exams.
But how to properly prepare for them? To help you in this mission and answer your questions, we will address in this post what are the main forms of evaluation in EAD and we will list some useful tips for the day of the face-to-face exams. Come on?
What are the forms of evaluation in EAD?
online tasks
Teachers always ask for jobs in face-to-face teaching, and this is no different in distance learning. Case studies, shared works, questionnaires, textual productions: all these are common tasks in distance education.
They allow students to put into practice all that knowledge acquired from online classes and available materials. In addition, it is through them that the teacher can assess aspects such as the ability to learn autonomously, degree of interaction with the course, among others.
Participation in forums
Distance learning platforms, in addition to bringing together online classes, course material and contact with teachers, also present a very interesting tool: the forum. It is where students can start discussions about classes, ask questions, exchange ideas, among other possibilities.
Several times, it is common for the debate in forums to be evaluated by the teachers. This is a valid form of assessment, since participation in this environment stimulates the student’s critical thinking, which will also be evaluated for their ability to develop ideas.
In addition, as they are virtual spaces, the institution has data such as: how long each student spent on the platform, which students do not engage with the forums, among other relevant evaluation criteria.
Online tests
Online tests are quite common in Distance Education. However, know that taking an online test is not as easy as it may sound. Most of the time, a special evaluation system with timed time is used, so that students can answer the questions within the proposed time. The answers to closed questions are recorded and corrected in a computerized way.
Face-to-face exams
Contrary to what many might imagine, face-to-face tests are also applied in distance learning. In this form of assessment, students need to travel to a teaching center of the institution, whose infrastructure allows these exams to be carried out.
Here, supposedly, there is no secret, since it is the most traditional form of assessment, whether in the face-to-face modality or in distance education. However, to help you better prepare for this moment, ensuring that all the content of the online classes is properly fixed for the big day, we have separated some very useful tips. Check it out below!
How to prepare for face-to-face exams?
Take notes during online classes
Although Distance Education has several advantages for the student, such as the possibility of attending home classes, without having to travel daily to college, it is necessary to be aware of a very important aspect in order not to do poorly in the evaluations: absorption the content of online classes.
Just as you would in a face-to-face class, it is interesting to take notes to record what is being taught in online classes. That way, it becomes easier for the brain to assimilate and record that information. Here, an advantage is the possibility to review the classes whenever you want, as they stay on the platform throughout the course.
Review content frequently
Always being in touch with the content is essential. Although distance learning has all the advantages mentioned so far, the student needs to have a lot of focus, responsibility and self-control to be able to organize all their schedules and tasks, otherwise, negative results will certainly appear in the tests.
So always take a moment to review. To do so, you can either rematch that class you didn’t fully understand and take more notes, or fix the content with exercise lists, reread the course material, check out the slides made by the teachers, among other options.
Keep calm and focus
There’s no way around it: you studied online, fixed all the content and feel prepared for the face-to-face tests, however, when the big day arrives, nervousness knocks on the door, often causing the famous “white”. To prevent this from happening, an important tip is to know how to control this anxiety.
Sleep well the night before face-to-face exams — after all, staying up all night studying the night before the exam is a strategy that rarely works. On the contrary: it will only make you more tired and nervous. Before the test, breathe well and deeply, until you feel calmer. Finally, remember that feeling optimistic is much better than facing the test like a seven-headed animal.
Bring water and quick snacks
Preparing for face-to-face exams, as you can see, goes beyond studies. You need to prepare your mind, relax, stay calm and sleep well the night before. Here, food is another very important point. To ensure that nothing distracts your focus at the time of the exam, eat before leaving home, but without eating heavy meals. Pack quick snacks (like granola bars) and a bottle of water.
Prepare all the necessary supplies in advance.
The night before the test, it is essential to leave everything separate, in order to avoid setbacks and rush. Imagine arriving at the face-to-face hub and realizing that you forgot everything you needed?
Therefore, check on the platform if you need to bring any identification document to take the test. Also, don’t leave to borrow a pen or pencil for colleagues at the last minute: leave this material in your backpack.
