The Changing Paradigm of Classroom Assessments with Technology

A Pattern of Change

The way we do assessments is changing. In the past, traditional paper assessments were the only way to determine whether or not students have achieved mastery of content, but in the past couple of year, many schools have been moving towards computer based assessments. Currently, computer-based assessments are also evolving toward computer-adaptive testing, with the goal to better access/capture students' true ability. In summary, just like the educational field as a whole, assessments are always evolving. With this constant change, it is important that we address the positives and negatives that these changes bring to the educational field. 

Negatives

Computer based adaptive tests have many shortcomings that ought to be addressed as we continue to use them more and more. First, questions and items on CBA are usually only presented one time to the learner. This does NOT allow for the students to the opportunity to review and modify their test when they finish (something that students could do on pencil and paper tests). CBA are also vulnerable to cheating. "Someone other than the registered examinee could take the test or help answer questions on an assessment administered remotely (online)." Further, for simpler CBA's, students could figure out the pattern or algorithm for answers that the test might offer, ultimately not learning or growing in their understanding in any way. Finally, students or adults who are not digitally literate are at quite a disadvantage when it comes to taking computer based assessments. In order to take these online assessments, one must have familiarity with keyboarding and basic computer skills. There are still many today who lack some of these fundamental skills. 

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2006. Tech Tally: Approaches to Assessing Technological Literacy. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/11691.

Positives

Although there are many disadvantages that CBA bring, there are many opportunities for learning that are made available through these types of assessments. Some positives that usually come to mind for parents and educators are: quick feedback to students/teachers/parents, better differentiation to meet student needs, and it can makes tests more fun and engaging, According to the article, Rethinking Assessment in a Digital Age there are many advantages that Technology Enhanced Assessments. In fact, the article brings out 7 opportunities that technology enhanced assessments provide: 

1. TEA creates new forms of representing knowledge and skills
2. TEA allows for crowd sourcing and decision making opportunities in assessment
3. TEA is more flexible in how and where students test.
4. TEA supports and enhances collaboration.
5. TEA helps assess complex problem solving skills.
6. TEA enhances feedback to students.
7. TEA is innovative in recording achievements of students

Timmis, S., Broadfoot, P., Sutherland, R., & Oldfield, A. (2016). Rethinking assessment in a digital age: opportunities, challenges and risks. British Educational Research Journal, 42(3), 454-476

As we live in the changing time, it is important that we educate ourselves on the changes that are being made. In the education field, it is important that we are aware of both the positives and negatives that computer based adaptive assessments bring. This will allow us to properly navigate the changing paradigm of classroom technological assessments as we continue to apply them to our classrooms. The question we must ask ourselves is this: "Do the positives far outweigh the negatives?" Personally, I think they do!