April 2004 — Features
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The Potential, Pitfalls and Promise of Computerized Testing
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Schools nationwide are experiencing similar difficulties; however, each school will have unique strengths and limitations when it comes to computerized testing. At times, computerized tests en masse seem to be more of a logistical problem rather than a clean and clear answer to the global question of outcomes-based assessment.
To address both the potential and pitfalls of computerized testing, we have arrived at a list of issues to consider. Some of these issues (marked with an asterisk on the chart below) were encountered by our testing team while administering the South Dakota Career Assessment Program, which is an online interest inventory and aptitude measure. Still other examples of possible problems were hypothesized by the team in discussion with other schools around the area.
Potential computerized testing problems can be rooted in the individual, the site and/or the system. Individual students offer unique concerns for any form of testing, and the site, whether it is a school's computer lab or an off-campus facility, forces the testing team to consider other issues. Finally, the system that holds both the test and the assessment data is subject to problems as varied as retesting or litigation based on improper access to test results.
Specific Student Needs
Students with special needs require the testing team to think about how to best accommodate their requirements. This may involve reserving extra time in the lab or ordering special testing programs. And due to the proximity of computers in labs, special considerations are necessary in helping students focus only on their own computer screen. Some tests allow the administrator to alternate test versions, while an adequate number of proctors will help keep wandering eyes to a minimum.
In addition, for some districts, elementary and middle school students may have to take tests at the high school. In such an instance, the chairs and desks may not be suitable for smaller students. Along with this concern for students bussed in for testing is the newness of the site itself. Being in an unfamiliar place for testing can create anxiety; therefore, having students visit the site prior to the actual testing will help minimize such feelings.
Maxed-out computer labs can cause both noise and space problems as well. To counteract such conditions, the testing team should balance the number of students to be tested and the number of computers available. If possible, alternative testing days should be added to prevent an overflow in the lab. Retakes are also a common testing problem; however, when computers are involved, the need to reserve the lab or construct a portable lab and schedule both students and proctors becomes critical. Of course, another logistical problem is the transportation of students and equipment to the site. Such transportation and equipment must be planned well in advance of the testing date.
Thinking Systemically
Computers and software both crash and boot users offline. Though there is no magic solution for such seemingly catastrophic problems, the team should have an alternate plan in place in the event of such an occurrence. Our alternate plan is as follows:
