Online learning is a great way to advance your knowledge while going through courses at your own pace. It’s a great way to supplement general education, achieve new certifications, and give you the resume boost you’re looking for when it’s time for a career change.
However, if you’re new to online learning, you’ve probably wondered how exactly course grading works. Maybe you’re unsure about what types of assignments you’ll get, how they’re evaluated, and what you should be prepared for when it comes to overall grading timelines.
We’ll go over each of these details to give you a better perspective before starting your online learning journey.
Types of Assignments with Online Learning
Taking courses online typically looks a bit different than what you’ll find in a traditional classroom setting. While each online course is different, and many have their own formats, most feature a mix of assignments and practical exercises designed for remote students.
Some of the most common assignment formats you’ll see include:
Timed Tests and Quizzes
Structured tests or quizzes are the most common types of assignments you’ll find in remote learning courses. At Sophia Learning, these are referred to as “Milestones.” These are typically 20-30 questions long, multiple choice and are designed to help gauge key concepts a student should have learned.
Because these quizzes have fixed answers, they’re typically graded automatically on the platform and will provide an overview of how you scored shortly after taking the quizzes.
Written Assignments or Projects
For more in-depth assignments that require more critical thinking, many courses include various written assignments or projects. At Sophia Learning, these are called “Touchstones.” These types of assignments give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned, usually by presenting you with real-world problems and allowing you to work through them.
These assignments are scored manually and will count toward your total course grading averages. The great thing about these types of assignments is that you can typically work on them at your own pace and have much more flexible turnaround times.
Discussion Boards
Many online courses feature discussion boards where other students are able to connect and discuss different types of coursework. These environments are great for simulating traditional classroom environments and can help to deepen learning on different topics.
Proctored Exams
Depending on the type of online coursework you’re doing, you may also have certain forms of proctored testing you’ll need to complete. These exams are typically monitored through a webcam or specialized software that verifies your identity and can ensure the integrity of your testing environment. This is usually reserved for final exams for courses or certifications that involve academic credit transfers.
Unlike traditional online programs, Sophia Learning has no proctored exams. All assessments are open book to support flexible, on-your-time learning.
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How an Assignment is Graded in Online Learning
After you’ve completed online course assignments, they’ll go through a grading process. The amount of time it takes for you to receive your grades will depend on the type of assignments you’re turning in.
- Multiple Choice Exams - In most cases, online courses already have the correct answers to multiple-choice questions hardcoded in their systems. This means your grades should be able to be displayed instantly after submitting an assignment or quiz, unless the platform uses a manual verification system, which could add to this timeline.
- Written Projects or Practical Assignments - Scenario-based or problem-solving practical assignments often use a human evaluator who will read, analyze, and provide feedback on the work you submit. Because of this, the grading typically takes longer and will usually average anywhere between a few business days and a couple of weeks, depending on the learning platform.
You’ll want to make sure you’re factoring in course grading timelines into your study plans. A good strategy for this is to create personal schedules for any written project work as soon as you reach them in the curriculum. This will help you to keep the momentum going in your coursework and avoid taking longer to complete your courses than actually needed.
How Long Will It Take to Grade My Sophia Learning Assignment?
Your Sophia Learning grading time will depend on the type of assignments you’re turning in. When turning in different “Challenges” or “Milestones,” these will automatically register any correct or incorrect answers, so feedback is nearly instant
For “Touchstone” assignments, these will require human review after they’re turned in. Sophia Learning grades most assignments within 72 hours.
Get Started on Your New Career Path
Online courses are a highly flexible way to gain new skills and give you the practical knowledge necessary to start moving your career goals forward. Assignments are easy to track and work on, and you get a clear view of your progress as you go through each of your courses. Sophia Learning makes grading these assignments quick and efficient.
Ready to take your career goals to the next level? Start a free trial of Sophia Learning today!
