Assessment using Technology
Reviewed and Updated: May 2008
So many terms …
Online assessment - Computer assisted assessment - Technology enhanced assessment - Electronic assessment - Computer adaptive assessment – Computer mediated assessment
There are lots of new terms to understand and many ways information and communication technologies (ICT) can support learning and assessment practices. It’s an exciting area for education and training. Important advice from experienced practitioners about how best to go about it include:
- Assessment should not be the last consideration or the ‘afterthought’ when designing learning in an online, computer mediated, technology enhanced or ‘blended’ learning arrangement. The design of assessment activities should be integrated with the learning design and planned from the outset.
- Think carefully about how technology can support your assessment strategies, rather than let it determine or drive your choice of assessment strategies and methods.
- While there are many exciting possibilities using technology, it must be appropriate to the assessment purpose and outcome.
Explore the many useful resources, exciting examples and thought provoking discussion in our Websites and Publication sections.
Websites
Assessing Online – A Guide for VET Professionals
Developed in 2004 under the Australian Flexible Learning Framework this site is worth a look because it draws on practitioner experience and research in the field. With an aim to help VET professionals plan, design and deliver assessment using the web, the site breaks its content into 3 main areas ‘The Guide’, ‘The Resources’ and ‘Our Research’.
Practitioner Guide to Online Assessment – TAFEVC
A case study of an RTO’s assessment strategies for School Services Officers enrolled in a qualification from the Public Service Training Package. There are other good case studies at the site, so it’s worth a visit.
The OTIS Online Tutoring e-book – New Assessment Strategies
This section from the online book edited by Carol Higgison (2000) is a great resource with quality content. Sound principles about assessment in any context and descriptions of the many ways assessment practitioners can be used and conducted are features of the publication.
Computer Assisted Assessment – Tools Resources and Articles
Another of the project sites from the UK, this site provides a comprehensive list of both free and commercially available online assessment generating tools.
Assessing Online - Online Education Service - University of Adelaide
The potential of online technology to support formative assessment, help students get a clearer idea of what is expected, facilitate constructive feedback and engage students in learning from their peers is summarised on this page.
Assessit.net
The new VETASSESS Online Assessment System provides assessors with instant, easy access to a range of high quality assessment items and resources.
Publications
HYDE, P, Clayton, B, Booth, R 2004, Exploring Assessment in Flexible Delivery of Vocational Education and Training Programs, NCVER Adelaide
Practitioners from TAFE Institutes and private providers across Australia contributed to this project, sharing their experiences and learning. Thirteen case studies reveal a wealth of information and advice for assessment approaches and methods, support to candidates, strategies and resources for assessors.
BOOTH R, Clayton B, Hartcher R, Hungar S, Hyde P, WILSON P 2003, The Development of Quality Online Assessment in Vocational Education and Training, Volume 1, NCVER Adelaide
A range of online assessment practices in the vocational training and other sectors are described and discussed. The report includes exemplars as well as a comprehensive review of the continually developing body of knowledge in this area. Available as print publication or download from the NCVER site.
BOOTH R, Clayton B, Hartcher R, Hungar S, Hyde P, Wilson P 2003, The Development of Quality Online Assessment in Vocational Education and Training, Volume 2, NCVER Adelaide
This volume is a companion to Volume 1 and it contains the appendices of the report. Of particular interest to VET practitioners and staff development personnel are the fictional ‘scenarios’ developed as a product of the research. Available as PDF documents only from the NCVER site.
GUTHRIE, H (ed) 2003, Online Learning: Research Readings, NCVER , Adelaide
A good overview of all the issues for online learning, support and assessment. This publication draws on a raft of projects and research over a five year period.
MORGAN, C & O’Reilly, M 1999, Assessing Open and Distance Learners, Kogan Page Limited, London.
Assessment is discussed in the context of a distance learning environment. Issues impacting on assessment experiences for open and distance learners are outlined and are a timely reminder to trainers and assessors about support and communication. Sound advice and good examples are provided in this comprehensive overview.
KENDLE, A & Northcote, M 2000, The Struggle for Balance in the Use of Quantitative and Qualitative Online Assessment Tasks, paper presented at ASCILITE Conference Coffs Harbour 2000
Kendle and Northcote suggest that because it’s been relatively easy to use assessment methods and tools online that require a specified correct response (quantitative), evidence of a more open ended type (qualitative) such as portfolios, reflective journals, case based scenarios and well designed collaborative projects has been slower to take off.
O'REILLY, M & Newton, D 2002, Above and Beyond Requirements of Assessment, published in the Australian Journal of Educational Technology, 18(1), 57-70 Interaction Online
This paper discusses students' perceptions of the importance of online discussion and whether these are assessable or not. Some people say that if you don’t assess participation learners won’t engage in online discussion activity.
Assessment and Online Teaching - Australian Flexible Learning Quick Guide Series
This Guide provides a good overview of the key issues relating to online assessment. Drawing on research findings it presents the practitioner with some key points and considerations when planning and designing assessment in either an online or blended learning arrangement.
A Plan Record – Australian Flexible Learning Framework
This link takes you to an ‘action plan’ template for managing the overview of assessment. Designed for online planning it also has relevance for other delivery modes. Use/adapt the plan to demonstrate and record your organisation’s commitment to quality assessment.
Assessment Online
Susan Hayes suggest that online assessment methods can also constitute an expansion of the way students experience their learning. This so particularly when online assessment items are designed to incorporate the best use of developments within the student centred learning approaches and the most appropriate innovations of multimedia technologies.