Challenges for Information Technology Supporting Educational Assessment

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Challenges for Information Technology Supporting Educational Assessment
Language: English
Authors: Webb, M., Gibson, D., Forkosh-Baruch, A.
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. Oct 2013 29(5):451-462.
Availability: Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2013
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Educational Technology, Educational Assessment, Computer Uses in Education, Computer Assisted Testing, Formative Evaluation, Evaluation Research, Evidence, Evaluation Methods, Student Evaluation
DOI: 10.1111/jcal.12033
ISSN: 0266-4909
Abstract: This article examines the scope for IT-enabled assessments to serve simultaneously both learners and the enterprise of education. The article proposes ways of combining frameworks that come from two different perspectives: 1) a conceptual approach to assessment design for computerized assessment based on evidence-centred design (ECD) and 2) a framework for formative assessment based on empirical research in classrooms. The article argues that combining the ECD and formative assessment frameworks and building on the opportunities provided by computerized assessments as well as harnessing teachers' and students' experience and developing their validation processes could enable assessments to address simultaneously assessment FOR learning and assessment OF learning. Strategies would include harnessing the benefits of embedded continuous unobtrusive measuring of performance while learners are engaged in interesting computerized tasks designed to support their learning. Learners need to be involved in discussing and negotiating their learning so we conceptualize these embedded unobtrusive processes as "quiet assessment", whose volume can be turned up by learners whenever they wish, to give them access to meaningful representations of evidence and arguments about their achievements. These strategies could enable a wider range of measures to contribute to judgements of students' achievements, thus supporting their learning in 21st-century contexts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2014
Accession Number: EJ1026614
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This article examines the scope for IT-enabled assessments to serve simultaneously both learners and the enterprise of education. The article proposes ways of combining frameworks that come from two different perspectives: 1) a conceptual approach to assessment design for computerized assessment based on evidence-centred design (ECD) and 2) a framework for formative assessment based on empirical research in classrooms. The article argues that combining the ECD and formative assessment frameworks and building on the opportunities provided by computerized assessments as well as harnessing teachers' and students' experience and developing their validation processes could enable assessments to address simultaneously assessment FOR learning and assessment OF learning. Strategies would include harnessing the benefits of embedded continuous unobtrusive measuring of performance while learners are engaged in interesting computerized tasks designed to support their learning. Learners need to be involved in discussing and negotiating their learning so we conceptualize these embedded unobtrusive processes as "quiet assessment", whose volume can be turned up by learners whenever they wish, to give them access to meaningful representations of evidence and arguments about their achievements. These strategies could enable a wider range of measures to contribute to judgements of students' achievements, thus supporting their learning in 21st-century contexts.
ISSN:0266-4909
DOI:10.1111/jcal.12033