E-Assessments

By: Marisela Alvarado
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The days of utilizing paper-based assessments seem to become obsolete as technology evolves in the blink of an eye. With electronic or online assessments readily available, educators are reconsidering their options. One type of assessment is formative assessment.

 Formative assessment involves assessing students directly in the context of learning in order to give them feedback on their progress (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009). An example would be to allow students to receive immediate feedback with a detailed explanation whether they are right or wrong. The aim is to allow students to monitor their progress as they are learning in order to improve their learning (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009). Creativity is highly encouraged. Nowadays, simulation, colors, animations, tools such a highlighter, eraser plus an elimination tool, and more are added to these e-assessments.

 Types of electronic assessments: (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009).
 * Multiple Choice
 * Extended Matching
 * Fill in the Gap (Cloze)
 * Text/Number Entry
 * Image Hotspots
 * Labeling (Drag 'n Drop)
 * Simulations
 * Video

 There are several advantages when incorporating online exams in the classroom. They provide multiple opportunities to students to take the tests as many times as they wish in order to help them study and/or best retain the concept (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009). Moreover, if students are absent, this is a very convenient place for them to make them up easily. Ordinarily, there is no software to install since the majority of these electronic assessments are web-based. Additionally, students can also take them at the leisure of their own time (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009). Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell provide the following electronic assessment pros: students can easily monitor their academic progress more easily with feedback, student's answers can be entered/altered quickly and clearly plus student's assessments can be modified to accommodate special needs. That is to say, saving paper and randomizing test questions is a plus (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009).

 As with everything that involves technology, unfortunately, there are disadvantages. Electronic assessments costs may involve assessment system software licenses, powerful servers, large number of clients (PC's), staffing, physical environment, training, external hackers/viruses, internal staff/student security policies, and hardware/software/system failure (Dennick, Wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009). These issues, however, should not discourage anyone. Consequently, they save paper and printing costs (Dennick, wilkinson, & Purcell, 2009).

The data that these tools produce come in many different formats depending on the web tool. QuizStar, [|please click here]; for example, provides detailed information; for instance, start and end date, mean percent of maximum scores, student who scored the highest and lowest, total participants plus their attempts, question analysis, and a graph. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">This data is imperative for the educator to disseminate and disaggregate when planning. Thus, targeting academic achievements and struggles. Moreover, it assists the teacher to differentiate instruction. Perhaps, the way that this lesson is being presented is not geared specifically to a particular student's style of learning. Every student is different. Therefore, various approaches, embracing technology, are required. In essence, this data is truly the intervention wherein an educator can pinpoint, analyze, and proceed to ensure student's learning success.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">References **

Dennick, R., Wilkinson, S., Purcell, N. (2009). Online eAssessment: AMEE Guide No. 39. //Medical Teacher, 31//, 192-206.

__//**Web-Based Online Assessment Tools:**//__

http://quizstar.4teachers.org/

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/

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