CASTLE offers training and support in the following cutting-edge assessment technologies to help collect data on classroom research case studies:
Perception
Questionmark Perception online assessment authoring:
- create online secure quizzes, tests, and exams delivered in the Test Center and at the 10 Learning Centers
- create tutorials and practice tests with feedback and rationales
- provides question wizards for step-by-step creation of 14 different item types
- incorporate multimedia (sound, graphics, video) including Flash animations into question formats
- automatic scoring/grading of assessments
- collect data on individual and class performance on assessed competencies
- for more information: www.questionmark.com
eLumen Achievement
The eLumen Achievement system:
- a web-based information system for managing a college's attention to student achievements, learning outcomes, and education results
- specifically designed to facilitate authentic assessment processes that are faculty driven, learning-centered, and standards based, supported by an electronic database
- provides faculty with the means to easily and electronically score student achievement using stardards/criteria/rubrics
- offers libraries of general and specified achievements and associated rubrics for adoption by faculty
- provides students access to their evaluations via secure web-based accounts
- coordinates the planning and communication of all criterion-based direct measures of learning throughout the college and yet respects and maintains the integrity of individual faculty assessment choice
- aggregates data on actual student achievement that is generated out of regular coursework
- for more information: www.elumen.info
Continuous Assessment and Assessment Technologies
|
"Continuous assessment" is the immediate and constant feedback from students, in conjunction with consequent correction of course direction when necessary, constitutes interactive assessment (Byers). Assessment technology fosters continuous assessment. Recent advances in this technology make continuous assessment easier for faculty to conduct, and they can, therefore, collect more timely data on classroom research case studies.
Assessment technology also fosters interactive assessment. "Interactive assessment" implies a dynamic process that is both formative and summative. Interactive assessment is based on the instructor's perception, the student's perception, and the student's performance (Byers).
When faculty members shift from the traditional periodic assessment model (midterms & final exam) toward continuous and interactive assessment, students view assessment as a learning experience rather than an all-or-nothing performance measure (Twigg).
The advantages of continuous assessment include:
- increase in time students spend studying
- higher level of familiarity with tested material
- higher level of comfort with testing process
- immediate feedback
- see the result of effort toward achievement (Twigg).
Over the past 70 years, researchers have consistently found that one way to improve student success is to increase the frequency of assessments:
- assess every 2-3 weeks
- better overall attitude about grades
- less test anxiety
- improved student performance (Butler).
|
Works Cited
Byers, C. Interactive Assessment and Course Transformation Using Web-based Tools. The Technology Source. May/June, 2002.
Butler, D. L. The Impact of Computer-Based Testing on Student Attitudes and Behavior. §The Technology Source. January/February, 2003.
Twigg, C. Innovations in Online Learning: The New Pace Setters. League for Innovation Learning Abstracts, World Wide Web Edition, May, 2002.
§
