5 Advantages of digital assessment in contemporary classrooms
From SMART boards instead of whiteboards and tablets instead of paper, there is no doubt the emergence of digital technologies has changed the face of education. An increasing number of schools are now transitioning away from traditional teaching tools such as textbooks and pens and turning to more modern solutions.
Digital assessment, or e-assessment as it is sometimes called, refers to evaluations of student performance using technology. This can take many forms including online essays, multiple choice tests and even problem solving games.
Whilst in the past student evaluations were restricted to paper printouts, today teachers can create online tasks, share them with their class and give instant feedback. These are just some of the advantages of digital assessment.
Why it matters
We are living in an increasingly digital world. The central role of technology in many modern careers means that digital literacy is now an essential skill. As the NMC Horizon Report: 2017 puts it, digital literacy is about “generating a deeper understanding of the digital environment, enabling intuitive adaptation to new contexts and co-creation of content with others.”
A 2018 study by Alruwais, Wills, and Wald argues the interactive nature of digital assessment makes it an efficient method of helping students improve their digital literacy and overall performance.
E-assessment is a valuable education tool with huge potential. Today we discuss 5 advantages of digital assessment over traditional exams.
Advantages
Provide immediate grading and prompt feedback
It is no secret that grading can be a time consuming and monotonous task. One of the benefits of digital assessment is that select-response tests such as multiple choice sheets can be marked instantly. Many digital assessment tools such as Scrudu also have features to help grade essays and provide feedback.
Increase student engagement
The use of a digital assessment system can make it easier to include different question types in an evaluation. For example, Scrudu users can choose from 8 different question types when creating assessments!
E-assessments can make use of media such as videos and recordings for examination purposes, something that cannot be done on paper.
Studies such as this one from the International Journal of Information and Education Technology show that multimedia is more effective at engaging students than just words on a page. The mental stimuli digital assessment provides can be particularly beneficial to visual and auditory learners as well as students with disabilities.
Get detailed analytics
Most digital assessment systems automatically track important analytics regarding students’ performance. This includes but is not limited to data on assessments, log-ins and discussion posts.
When put into use, class analytics can be helpful for both educators and students. By knowing which question in an exam was found the hardest, teachers can know what topics they need to focus on in class. Through data on individual progress, it is also possible to intervene with struggling students early and sort out any problems before the next test.
In essence, the analytics that can be obtained through digital assessment allow educators to give pupils a more personalised experience.
Support educational goals
E-assessment facilitates the development of high-order skills such as critical thinking, reflection and team work. These skills subsequently help support curriculum goals through the use of information technology.
Frequently assessing student progress is critical to ensure they are meeting their educational goals. Digital quizzes can keep track of students’ learning and identify any gaps in their knowledge.
Deter cheating
A significant benefit of e-assessments is that they can help combat cheating. For example, with Scrudu you can set up exams so that pupils get a random selection of questions chosen from a digital question bank.
Similarly, live trackers features can send you real-time notifications when a new app, browser or tab is opened during a test.
Conclusion
From instant grading, personalised experiences and anti-cheating measures, digital technologies are quickly shaping contemporary classrooms. Scrudu by Akiraku is a comprehensive online assessment tool that aims to improve teachers’ productivity and enhance students’ educational experience.
Get in touch today to find out what Akiraku could bring to your classroom.
