The umbrella that is too wide and yet too small: Why dynamic testing has still not delivered on the promise that was never made

Beckmann, J.F.

doi:10.1891/1945-8959.13.3.308

The umbrella that is too wide and yet too small: Why dynamic testing has still not delivered on the promise that was never made

Beckmann, J.F.

Authors

Professor Jens Beckmann j.beckmann@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

In this article, I reflect on potential reasons for the seemingly persistent impression that dynamic testing has not delivered on its promise. Potential reasons are embedded in a paradox. On the one hand, validity-related expectations toward dynamic tests seem too broad. This includes fuzziness in defining the diagnostic target constructs, simplistic quantitative focus on conventional validity indices, and overgeneralized expectations regarding incremental validity. At the same time, the focus on dynamic testing seems too narrow. By introducing three tests of cognitive flexibility, I exemplify that dynamic testing has potential which goes beyond the assessment of learning potential in specific subpopulations. My ambition is to help in addressing potential users' misconceptions about dynamic testing productively.

Citation

Beckmann, J. (2014). The umbrella that is too wide and yet too small: Why dynamic testing has still not delivered on the promise that was never made. Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology, 13(3), 308-323. https://doi.org/10.1891/1945-8959.13.3.308

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jun 7, 2014
Online Publication Date	Oct 1, 2014
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2014
Deposit Date	Oct 20, 2014
Publicly Available Date	Oct 21, 2014
Journal	Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology
Print ISSN	1945-8959
Electronic ISSN	1810-7621
Publisher	Springer Publishing Company
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	13
Issue	3
Pages	308-323
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1891/1945-8959.13.3.308
Keywords	Dynamic testing, Incremental validity, Sensitivity and specificity, Cognitive flexibility, Learning ability.