Developments in on-screen assessment design for examinations

This paper draws on examples from projects undertaken for a range of UK agencies, including the regulators from each of the 4 nations (QCA, ACCAC, SQA and CCEA), and Awarding Bodies such as Edexcel and the British Computer Society. This work includes the use of: • rich media (exploring how video, audio, animation and imaging affect assessment performance, including for candidates with disabilities), • interactivity and adaptivity (exploring how requiring students to make interactive responses affects achievement and engagement), • advanced computer-marking techniques (work to mark candidates’ prose, mathematical workings, and process as well as output), • item banking complex items to allow “when ready” assessment, and comparability issues with more traditional assessments. • Working with authors across multiple locations and disciplines, and how the challenges can be met. The paper also discusses how “when-ready” e-assessment is blurring the traditionally clear boundary between summative and formative assessment, and the opportunities open to qualification providers to reshape their assessment offerings to act as learning resources.