MOOCs present a number of issues when it comes to student assessment. While the online component adds a wrinkle to traditional grading techniques for face to face coursework, the sheer enrollment numbers of many MOOCs make even commonly used online grading techniques impossible. A number of techniques, including peer grading, crowdsourcing, multiple choice quizzes, among others, are all being experimented with in a variety of ways in MOOC courses. Each MOOC presents a unique challenge due to these factors, so different grading techniques may be appropriate in different situations.
In my MOOC, which centers around personal finance, the concepts and material are important, but overall this is an experience that learners will integrate into their future habits, rather than a traditional grading/testing scenario. The MOOC includes exercises for learners to apply with their own figures and situations and also questions to ask themselves. Depending on the direction I take, I may ask learners to share these answers with others via an online community, but discussion will not be critical, but rather open between class participants and hopefully have an encouraging nature. I may also include questions with multiple choice answers within the coursework so that learners can be sure they grasp core concepts before moving forward. Since there is no "grade" in the course, they will be able to answer these multiple times until correct, rather than be penalized for an incorrect answer.
My video was captured with Camtasia. It is my favorite screen capture program, but alas, it is not free. Its free, no frills cousin is a software called Jing, and it is a great little product! I highly recommend Jing if you can live without the editing capabilities of Camtasia (and the cost).
In this video, I detail the first exercise in my MOOC, creating a Lifetime Income Worksheet.
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