“Web-Based Assessment”

Doe, C. (2006). A look at Web-based assessment. Multimedia + internet @ schools, 13(6), 17-20

I read an article titled, “A Look at Web-Based Assessment” and was written by Charles Doe.  It was all about how Online or Web-based assessment is increasing in number and variety.  Web-based assessment not only includes simple assessments but also covers more complex knowledge, personality, progress and placement tests and is used by education institutions at all levels.

Computer based curriculum with web-based assessment can make a teachers life a lot easier in trying to meet the needs of diverse student populataions.  Some other benefits are:

• Scoring and reporting can be nearly instanteous

• Results are available to teachers and administrators soon after the test has been completed

• Student feedback can also be achieved instantly

• Web-based assessment can take the form of self-assessment and be part of the learning experience

Overall I can see that web-based assessment is so beneficial that it is almost certain that every school system with in some way adopt it in the coming years.  Some problems which look to be minor obstacles include some schools having adequate student computer access and possible security issues.  Once these initial set backs have been addressed, teachers will surely wonder how they ever got along without wed-based assessemt in the first place.

The article goes on further to talk about a variety of programs available on the web which have been designed for use with specific subjects and in relation to education in general.  I have provided a list a few below…

• TechLiteracy Assessment – http://www.learning.com

• PLATO eduTest Assessment – http://www.plato.com

• mCLASS:Reading, Inc. - http://www.wirelessgeneration.com

• Pearson Benchmark – http://www.pearsonschoolsystems.com

• SAT Online Prep – http://www.kaplan.com/TestPreparation

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