Student Evaluation in Higher Education: a Comparison Between Computer Assisted Assessment and Traditional Evaluation

Yaron Ghilay*, Ruth Ghilay**
* Lecturer in the Neri Bloomfield School of Design and Education, Haifa.
** Educational Counsellor in Primary Education.
Periodicity:July - September'2012
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.9.2.1942

Abstract

The study examined advantages and disadvantages of computerised assessment compared to traditional evaluation. It was based on two samples of college students (n=54) being examined in computerised tests instead of paper-based exams. Students were asked to answer a questionnaire focused on test effectiveness, experience, flexibility and integrity. Concerning each characteristic, responders were asked to relate to both kinds of evaluation (computerised and traditional). Furthermore, students were asked to evaluate home and classroom computerised exams. The research reveals that there is a significant advantage to computerised assessment in comparison to paper-based evaluation. The most powerful advantage of computer-assisted assessment found throughout the research, is a test's flexibility. The research findings point out that there is significant worthiness to adopt computerised assessment technologies in higher education, including home exams. Such a new method of evaluation is about to improve significantly the institutional educational administration.

Keywords

Computerised Assessment; Traditional Evaluation; Classroom Computerized Exams; Home Computerised Exams; Test Flexibility; Computer Assisted Assessment.

How to Cite this Article?

Yaron Ghilay and Ruth Ghilay (2012). Student Evaluation In Higher Education: A Comparison Between Computer Assisted Assessment And Traditional Evaluation. i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology, 9(2), 8-16. https://doi.org/10.26634/jet.9.2.1942

References

[1]. Ashton H. S., Schofield D. K., & Woodgar S. C. (2003). Piloting summative web assessment in secondary education. In Proceedings of the 7th International Computer–Assisted Assessment Conference (edsChristie J.).Loughborough University.
[2]. Ashton H. S., Beavers C. E., Schofield D. K., & Youngson M.A. (2004). Informative reports-experiences from the Pass-IT project. In Proceedings of the 8th International Computer–Assisted Assessment Conference (eds Ashby M. & Wilson R.).Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[3]. Bennett R. E. (2002a). Inexorable and inevitable: the continuing story of technology and assessment. Journal of Technology, Learning and Assessment, 1, 100-108.
[4]. Bennett R. E. (2002b). Using Electronic Assessment To Measure Student Performance. The State Education Standard, National Association of State Boards of Education.
[5]. Boyle A., Hutchison D., O'Hare D., & Patterson A. (2002) . Item selection and application in higher education. In 6th International CAA Conference(edsDanson M.). Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[6]. Brown G., Bull J., & Pendlebury M. (1997). Assessing Student Learning in Higher Education. Routledge, London.
[7]. Bull J. (1999). Update on the National TLTP3 Project The Implementation and Evaluation of Computer-assisted Assessment. In 3rd International CAA Conference (eds Danson M.).Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[8]. Bull J. (2001). TLTP85 Implementation and Evaluation of Computer-Assisted Assessment: Final Report.
[9]. Bull J. & McKenna C. (2004). Blueprint for Computer-Assisted Assessment. Routledge Falmer, NY.
[10]. Conole, G. (2004). Report on the effectiveness of tools for e-learning, report for the JISC commissioned Research Study on the Effectiveness of Resources, Tools and Support Services used by Practitioners in Designing and Delivering E-Learning Activities.
[11]. Conole, G. & Dyke, M. (2004). What are the affordances of Information and communication technologies?, ALT-J, 12(2), 111–123.
[12]. Davies P. (2001). CAA must be more than multiple-choice tests for it to be academically credible? In 5th International CAA. Conference (edsDanson M. & Eabry C.).Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[13]. Davies P. (2002). There's no confidence in multiple-choice testing. In 6th International CAA Conference (eds Danson M.).Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[14]. Duke-Williams E., & King T. (2001). Using computer-aided assessment to test higher level learning outcomes. In 5th International CAA Conference (edsDanson M. & Eabry C.).Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[15]. Farrer S. (2002). End short contract outrage. MPs insist, Times Higher Education Supplement.
[16]. Farthing D., & Mc Phee D. (1999). Multiple choice for honours-level students? In 3rd International CAA Conference (edsDanson M.).Loughborough University, Loughborough.
[17]. Fiddes D.J., Korabinski A. A., McGuire G. R., Youngson M. A. & Mc Millan D. (2002). Are mathematics exam results affected by the mode of delivery? ALT-J, 10(6), 1–9.
[18]. Hambrick K. (2002). Critical issues in online, large-scale assessment: An exploratory study to identify and refine issues. Capella University, Minneapolis.
[19]. Laurillard D. (2002). Rethinking university teaching a conversational framework for the effective use of learning technologies. RoutledgeFalmer, London.
[20]. Mills C., Potenza M., Fremer J., & Ward C. (2002) . Computer-based testing-building the foundation for future assessment. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New York.
[21]. Outtz J. L. (1998). Testing medium, validity and test performance. In Beyond multiple choice evaluating alternative to traditional testing for selection (edsHakel M. D.).Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New York.
[22]. Pritchett N. (1999). Effective question design. In Computer-Assisted Assessment in Higher Education(eds Brown S., Race P. & Bull J.).Kogan Page, London).
[23]. Warburton W., & Conole G. (2003). CAA in UK HEIs: the state of the art. In 7th International CAA Conference(eds Christie J.).University of Loughborough, Loughborough.
[24]. Ward W. C., Frederiksen N., & Carlson, S. B. (1980). Construct validity of free response and machine-scorable forms of a test. Journal of Educational Measurement, 7(1), 11–29.
If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Single Article

North Americas,UK,
Middle East,Europe
India Rest of world
USD EUR INR USD-ROW
Pdf 35 35 200 20
Online 35 35 200 15
Pdf & Online 35 35 400 25

Options for accessing this content:
  • If you would like institutional access to this content, please recommend the title to your librarian.
    Library Recommendation Form
  • If you already have i-manager's user account: Login above and proceed to purchase the article.
  • New Users: Please register, then proceed to purchase the article.