Student Perceptions of an Asychronous Online Discussion Board Used to Assess the Professional Skills

Though not originally developed for teaching, asynchronous online discussion boards (AODBs) have become important tools for online and blended learning, while also having expanded into some face-to-face teaching environments. Because of this, it is imperative that ongoing research is conducted into how they can be integrated in courses, how they are perceived by students, and how they operate when used as assessments. This paper examines student perceptions of a particular AODB activity, the Computing Professional Skills Assessment (CPSA). The professional skills are the 21st century, cross-disciplinary, or transferable learning outcomes including but not limited to problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, and they are globally recognized as essential for employment within a knowledge economy. Utilizing the CPSA as a direct assessment within a traditional face-to-face course, through an anonymous survey students provide their insights into the degree to which the AODB enhanced professional skills learning outcomes and shared what they liked, disliked, and would like to change about the AODB.