The education sector is going all digital. New ed-tech tools encourage teachers to reimagine the way they deliver the curriculum in the classroom. This refers to all elements of the learning process, including assessment.
In the traditional classroom, the measurement of student performance is rather limited. Tasks like multiple-choice questions are too standardized and lack creativity. They can’t check complex competencies. Besides, traditional assessment happens after learning, which causes delays and makes real-time feedback impossible.
These shortcomings of traditional assessment methods can be easily addressed with digital tools. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how technology can boost the efficiency of assessment and improve student learning.
Benefits of Tech-Based Assessment
By leveraging the power of technology, we can make assessment more meaningful. This allows switching from “evaluation of learning” to “evaluation for learning.” Instead of measuring student achievement based on tests, technology collects data on student performance in the activities they engage in day by day throughout the course. According to the DoMyEssay expert, tech-based assessment takes everything into account—projects, queries “make an essay for me on time“, simulations, quizzes, experiments, discussions, etc. Besides, it also includes learning activities students do outside the classroom.
So what benefits do we get as a result of using tech tools for the assessment?
- Technology enables performance-based assessment. This means that the range of possible evaluation questions goes beyond fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice options. With tech tools, students demonstrate their knowledge using more complex forms of responses. This could be a hot text, graphic response, portfolio, etc.
- Technology extends the scope of assessment. More diverse tasks enable teachers to see different dimensions of learner performance and thus get a full picture of students’ competencies.
- Students get instant real-time feedback. Technology enables automatic assessment that guides students through the learning process, helping them to develop their strengths and fix problem areas.
- Technology makes assessment more inclusive. It allows teachers to tailor the process to the needs of each student. Besides, small adjustments like additional dictionaries, glossaries, text-to-speech features, and font changes support students with disabilities and make learning more accessible.
- Technology-based assessment supports personalized learning. Digital tools make it possible to target specific skills and learning levels. They track a student’s performance not only against a certain criterion or other students but also against their previous results. Thus, the individual growth of a student isn’t overlooked.
How to Use Technology to Improve the Way to Evaluate
Assessment of student learning has diverse purposes and thus requires a wide range of tools.
1. Diagnostic assessment
A diagnostic assessment aims to check student knowledge before the start of a course, lesson, or unit. It allows identifying their strengths and weaknesses to make sure learning materials include only relevant information and avoid repetitive content.
A diagnostic assessment often takes place at the beginning of a semester. Yet, frustrating students with tests on their first day is hardly a strategy to go. Instead, you can use game-like quizzes that are not only less formal and stressful but also engaging for the entire class. Here are top-rated tools for holding diagnostic quizzes that students can play like a game:
- Kahoot
- Quizizz
- Quizlet Live
- Nearpod
- Socrative
2. Summative assessment
Summative assessment methods measure student competencies at the end of the course. In the traditional classroom, it is associated with exams and multiple-choice tests. However, these are some of the least creative options. You can also assess the results of student learning by asking them to:
- Deliver a presentation using Prezi, Easelly, or VoiceThread. It should synthesize their knowledge of a course and has a practical meaning.
- Record a podcast that shares their knowledge or opinion on one of the learned topics.
- Write an essay to show their understanding of the learning material. If you’re a student and you’re looking for ways to skyrocket your grades, use a write my paper service. Expert writers will help you research and develop a compelling argument.
- Design a project that leverages their knowledge of the course to solve a real-life problem.
3. Formative assessment
This form of assessment serves to check students’ understanding of the material as they progress through the course. By leveraging the power of technology, we can make a formative assessment happen in real-time. Here are a few ways to accomplish it:
- Use AR and VR to create simulations where students can experiment and demonstrate their knowledge in realistic scenarios.
- Ask students to create online portfolios to share the results of their work.
- Encourage students to use apps like MindMeister, XMind, and SimpleMind to build mind maps and show their understanding of connections between concepts.
- Promote self-reflection by asking learners to share their insights in a discussion forum entry.
4. Ipsative assessment
Learning is a process that has its ups and downs. Unfortunately, when students fail a test, they rarely have a chance to retake it and do better. The traditional classroom has limited time resources to enable this option for students. This takes a toll on their motivation to learn and act on the received feedback.
Modern LMSs have a multi-level assessment system. It is constantly recording data on student performance. LMSs give learners automatic feedback upon completion of activities. It helps them see their strengths and weaknesses. LMSs encourage students to review learning materials and retake a test. A second chance to improve grades gives students motivation to learn. They get an opportunity to compare previous to new results and thus see their progress.
To Sum Up: The Future of Assessment Is Tech-Based
Tech tools empower the assessment of student competencies. They offer real-time feedback, increase the flexibility of evaluation, and make the process more creative. This enables students to engage with assignments on a deeper level and thus demonstrate more complex skills.
