E-assessment+-+narratives+for+institutional+development

=E-assessment: narratives for institutional development = //Carmen Tomas, Nottingham University.// 30 August 2012,11-11.30u Verslag door: Jeroen Donkers

Korte Samenvatting
Challenge: institutional development of e-assessment. E-assessment is an umbrella term, too complex. Proposal: assessment life-cycle. E-assessment: defined in UK as computer-based and computer-assisted assessment. (not only: is de test marked by the computer or not....) ICT used anywhere in the assessment process.

Research is mainly focused on tools in one situation – but this is not very useful. Literature on institutional development also not helps too much. There is need for an assessment specific framework.

First, an assessment life cycle was developed, consisting of 9 stages (from assessment creation to quality and standards, but each stage is subdivided). 22 academic participants were involved in semi-structured interviews, using this life cycle. The main question was: how is technology support used in each of the stage in the cycle. Per stage: assessment type, hi/lo stake, mode (paper/ict), mainstream use (y/n).

As a result, a system was introduced that supports parts of these uses. E-assessment is not used to full extent. Stage 3-5 are mostly paper-based. High stakes often only paper based.

Institutional priorities: a) coursework -> ict, b) low-stake non-mainstream (CBA, wikis, e-portfolio), c) exams.

Conclusion: institution wide overview, assessment specific framework, consideration of process jointly with mode and type. Assessment process narrative (their table): evaluate visually, counters inherent complexity, identify priorities.

Inzichten
This paper shows that development of e-assessment at an institutional level is a complex process. There is no "one-size-fits-all": there are differences in assessment type, what's at stake, mode and development stage. The development of a assessment-lifecycle helps in collecting the right information from within the organization.

Review
The presentation gives insight in a practical process within one institution. To really understand the process, however, more detail is needed on the life cycle and the results of the interviews. I understand that a paper is upcoming.

Toepasbaarheid
This approach might be a very useful aid for the national infrastructure e-assessment, but individual institutes can also learn from this approach.

Keywords
e-assessment, assessment life cycle, institutional approach