One innovative, computer-mediated assessment is adaptive testing. This type of test adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the student’s answers. A well-known example is the computerized version of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), used by the U.S. Department of Defense.

How it works: When a student answers a question correctly, the next question becomes harder. If they answer incorrectly, the next question becomes easier. This way, the test adapts to the student’s ability level, providing a more accurate measure of their skills.

Strengths: Adaptive testing can be very efficient because it quickly zeroes in on a student’s ability level. It reduces the number of questions needed to accurately assess a student’s knowledge, saving time. This type of test can also reduce stress for students, as they are less likely to face a long series of questions that are too difficult or too easy for them.

Weaknesses: One downside is that adaptive tests require sophisticated software and a large pool of questions, which can be expensive to develop and maintain. Additionally, some students might feel anxious about the changing difficulty of questions, and it can be challenging to ensure that the test is fair for all students, especially those with different learning styles or backgrounds.

In my college math classes, I see great potential in using adaptive testing to better understand each student’s strengths and weaknesses. By tailoring the difficulty of questions to each student, I can provide more personalized feedback and support. However, it’s important to balance this with other forms of assessment to get a complete picture of a student’s abilities and learning progress.

References

• U.S. Department of Defense. (n.d.). Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Retrieved from https://www.officialasvab.com