Why should we welcome eassessment Miranda Simond Why

Why should we welcome e-assessment? Miranda Simond

Why should we welcome e-assessment? • Computers: • • • Are part of our lives Are part of a teacher’s tool box Are central to pupils’ learning day to day Extend the assessment possibilities Increase the quality of the assessment • In this context – are paper and pencil tests valid any more?

Pupils’ views of e-assessment • Pupils view computer assessment positively: • • ‘This is better than any paper-based task…You can’t watch a video on a piece of paper!’ ‘This task is much more interesting than a paper-based task. ’ ‘I prefer this because it is more technologised. ’ ‘It is a lot less intimidating than a paper-based test. ’

Teachers’ views of e-assessment • Many teachers view computer assessment positively: • • ‘I couldn’t go back to only paper-based assessment. ’ ‘Pupils work electronically in lessons, the assessment must reflect this. ’ ‘Pupils are engaged and motivated by technology. ’ ‘E assessment is the future!’

Drivers for change Demands to: • Personalise pupils’ learning • Implement ‘when ready’ assessment • Have more data and information to inform: • • • Pupils Teachers Parents • Have more formative assessment information • Have instant or faster results

Benefits of e-assessment • • • Reflects a modern curriculum Can include multimedia and interactivity Allows different forms of assessment e. g. the portfolio Allows for adaptability of test questions Easily allows alternatives to marks e. g. Thurstone pairs Potential to increase access to tests (for some) Potential to improve test security Potential for cost savings Improves the efficiency and quality of marking

scoris assessor • E-marking software for markers

Marking: scoris assessor

Key stage 3 ICT test

On-screen English, mathematics and history

Demonstration on-screen history assessment

Welcome to the RM Inform Conference

Overview of presentation • Background information • What some of our customers think • Centres’ perspective • Teachers’ perspective • Invitation to take part

AQA has been working with RM on the delivery of on-screen tests since 2002 • This has to be the future and right for modern learners • Integrity of assessment is paramount to us • We’ve made a long term commitment – TEAL • We have a product development strategy; more to come

AQA has been working with RM on the delivery of on-screen tests since 2002 • Since Nov 2006 we’ve delivered over 3, 000 GCSE Science tests; the latest series went really well • In February 2008 we piloted Entry Level Numeracy • June 2008 we’re including Functional Skills • We are working with RM to expand the number, types and design of questions that can be set on screen

Centres • Less paper-based bureaucracy • Faster entries → results process • Calibrated tests for some subjects will enable on-demand in the future

Centres • Improved security • We’re using feedback to improve the system • We support the move for richer feedback e. g. linked to assessment objectives • We have worked on the supporting documentation to make it • clear • concise • easy to use • We’ve now also got dedicated phone support

Teachers Matches your classroom experience Engaging for learners; enriching assessment Practice tests are easy to administer and provide instant feedback Teachers are shaping the assessment and system through feedback and our consultations We are keen to learn more about breaking down barriers to adoption

Join In! Engaging learners as active partners, building independence through interactions, stimulation and collaboration Complement and build on good work already underway You may already be prepared to start, but if not we can help you to do so quickly Come and have a go, try a test on our stand Also note that we have information for curriculum managers preparing for the new GCEs and GCSEs available free of charge on our stand

Thank you – Get involved • Visit the RM stand try out: • • NAA Key Stage 3 ICT tasks QCA History task • Visit the AQA stand try out: • GCSE Science onscreen assessment