An Analysis of Students’ Perception of Online Assessments and its Relation to Motivation Towards Mathematics Learning

Abstract

Assessing student performance is a challenge faced by most educational institutions during this time when conducting in-campus classes is affected by the pandemic. Use of online assessments to determine student performance is gaining wider acceptance over the traditional paper-and-pen type as it allows evaluation of what the students learned despite the lack of physical classroom interaction. Although there are studies that examine student perceptions about online learning in general, only a few focus on assessments especially those that consider its relation to affective aspects of learning. The views of students being the primary beneficiaries of the technology would give relevant information in designing appropriate online assessments and can bring about the success of its implementation. Thus, this present study investigated the usefulness of online assessments according to the perspective of students particularly in their math subject and its relation to their motivation towards mathematics learning. A mixed methods research design was conducted to determine the perception and motivation of 127 second year level engineering students via a questionnaire survey after exposure to a set of online assessments. Results showed that students have a high level of motivation towards mathematics learning and have positive perception about online assessments. Using factor analysis, variations in the perception were found to be explained by 4 factors focused on ease of use and functionality, personal preference, technical considerations, and complementation with other methods. Some of these factors were found to be significantly related with various aspects of motivation. Interview of students also revealed they found taking online assessments a positive innovation in giving assignments and prefer them over traditional assignments. The findings derived from this study give teachers a basis in designing more effective online assessments particularly those that address the needs of today’s generation of learners. Further, for a developing country like the Philippines, findings of this study would greatly contribute to the government and academic sector’s efforts in capacity building of its online system of education.