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X. Technology for Testing Technology is increasingly employed in testing. The last decade has progressed from scanned examinations to the recent widespread use of computer adaptive testing. Each institution embraces technology according to available resources, but whatever the use, technology should always be in the service of teaching and testing, not the other way around.
Scanned Tests | Computer Based Testing | Computer Adaptive Testing |
Internet Resources
Scanned Tests
Many schools and colleges use scanners to quickly and accurately grade and analyze objective tests. From a testing perspective, the most important consideration is that items and tasks follow good testing practice since the results will only be as good and valid as the test itself. The use of a scanner requires that students fill in a special answer or "bubble" sheet that is machine-readable. This presents some mechanical problems for students who may inadvertently transfer information incorrectly from the question paper to the answer sheet.
Computer Based Testing
Computer-based testing (CBT) has numerous advantages including:
· quick, accurate results and feedback
· detailed statistical analysis
· easy administration with a high level of security
· item banks of validated test items
· encouragement of certain effective test-taking skills
However, the use of CBTs requires access to hardware and software and special training in test construction using formats that are amenable to machine scoring. Additionally, some skills such as writing and speaking can only be computer tested with sophisticated equipment.
back to topComputer Adaptive Testing
Recently, institutions such as ETS have developed language tests using computer adaptive testing (CAT). CATs are tailored to individual ability levels since each question presented to the candidate is based on their response to the previous question. In addition to all the CBT features noted above, advantages include shorter testing time and the establishment of the individual's unique level. CAT requires sophisticated equipment and test writing skills based on item response theory.
back to topThe Internet provides access to global resources on testing. Some Internet sites address generic testing issues while others are specific to English language testing. Most of the sites listed below "point to" other Internet testing resources. Please note that URLs or addresses change often; those provided below were accurate as of mid-March 1998.
Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation's site provided by ERIC, the Educational Resources Information Center, provides linkage to a wide range of resources including the ERIC Search Wizard. Useful aspects of the ERIC site include the ERIC Thesaurus online which facilitates finding keywords for searches and RIE, Resources in Education.
CRESST, the National Center for Research on Evaluation Standards and Student Testing's site is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is primarily useful for K-12 teachers.
Language testers consider the University of Surrey's Resources in Language Testing site to be invaluable. Dr. Glenn Fulcher maintains this site which directs the searcher to virtually all of the important general and language assessment sites on the Internet. In addition, Dr. Fulcher also provides the to Language Tester's Guide to Cyberspace (http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ELI/cybertxt.html), an essay which describes and evaluates the usefulness of Internet testing sites.
For tests by British examination boards, a good site is English Language Examinations which surveys tests by Cambridge, Oxford, IELTS and other testing boards
An American counterpart is found at the site maintained by Educational Testing Service , the developers of TOEFL, GRE and other standardized tests. These sites help teachers determine which tests are most appropriate for their students and also provide specific information on test specifications for preparing the students to sit the exams. Look here for information on the TOEFL 2000 CAT project.
Language Testing Update from the University of Lancaster, provide online summaries of recent publications and news of professional conferences at their site.
Teachers who want to become more familiar with Computer Adaptive Testing can learn more about it at the University of Minnesota's CARLA website which employs a FAQ (frequently asked questions format.
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