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Using Computers to Assess New Educational Goals

Ridgway, J.; McCusker, S.

Authors

S. McCusker



Abstract

There is a remarkable consensus worldwide on 'new' educational goals. These emphasise problem solving using mathematics and science, supported by an increased use of information technology. Change can be difficult: first is the problem of communicating new goals; second is their alignment with old assessment systems. Well-designed assessment can solve both these problems. Here, computer-based tasks are described which exemplify new goals and could be used to promote desirable educational change. Computers can make a unique contribution to assessment. They can present new sorts of tasks, where dynamic displays show changes in several variables over time. Interaction makes computers well suited to the assessment of process skills--discovering rules, finding relationships, developing effective strategies--by the use of simulations, microworlds and interactive games. Students can work with complex realistic data sets, using professional methods. The paper illustrates these claims, and describes student strengths and weaknesses observed on live tests.

Citation

Ridgway, J., & McCusker, S. (2003). Using Computers to Assess New Educational Goals. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 10(3), 309-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969594032000148163

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2003-11
Deposit Date Jan 10, 2007
Journal Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy and Practice
Print ISSN 0969-594X
Electronic ISSN 1465-329X
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 10
Issue 3
Pages 309-328
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/0969594032000148163
Keywords Information Technology, IT, Interaction.