With the increasing technological literacy, policy makers and educators alike have been leaning away from paper-based readings, activities and assessments. Even in our MAC Program, we are encouraged to do as much on our laptops as possible, such as taking notes, working on group projects, and reading articles as PDFs rather than printing them out and marking up hard copies. Yet, we just read an article by Mangen et al. on the effects of text read on a computer screen vs. a paper-based text and what implications these had for comprehension; the paper-based text resulted in significantly higher comprehension than when the same excerpt was read onscreen (2013). Thus, by asking students to take hugely important tests on a computer (ACT, GRE, LSAT, etc), aren't we already disadvantaging them?
Honestly, the only positives I can think of for online testing are those of saving paper and thus saving trees and possibly a bit of money. However, online tests are not that much cheaper than paper tests and seem significantly more difficult to navigate. For example, take a look at this bit of the Smarter Balance assessment we checked out in class today:
When completing answers, I already felt frustrated and just wanted to close my laptop lid and stare at the pretty colors on the cover (usually I'm fairly patient and love challenges). Why, you may ask? My generation has grown up with computers; aren't we accustomed to them? Don't we love using them? Not for test-taking, and in my case, most definitely not for reading. Look at this piece about Solar Power. In order to do the reading portion, the test-taker has to scroll. Already, this interrupts skimming and makes it far easier to lose where you just saw that extremely important fact that may be the answer to the first question. In addition, I can't mark up the computer screen. Sure, the ... bubble exists for note taking, but A) what if I didn't know that, B) what if I didn't know how to properly use it, and C) what if taking notes on the text is the best way for me to comprehend what I'm seeing? (and it is--I really struggle pulling what I wanted out of a text again if I can't annotate).
I dislike almost everything about online testing of this sort, from the splitting headaches that arise after staring at a screen for more than five hours to the absurd rule that one cannot skip a question and go back to it. And do the policy makers that advocate for these end up having to take them? No; for many, these types of tests are after their time as students. The only upside I can really consider is the environmentally friendly aspect of online test-taking, but still...Americans do so much to destroy the environment that this pro pales adjacent to the large amount of disadvantages I see in relation to computer-based tests.
Some interesting research:
Mangen, A., Walgermo, B. R.,
& Bronnick, K. (2013). Reading linear texts on paper versus computer
screen: Effects on reading comprehension. International
Journal of Educational Research, 58,
61-68.
One of the benefits to computer testing is that the tests can be adaptive. If you get a question wrong, you can be given an easier question on the next page. If you get a question correct, you can take a shot at a more challenging question. The net result is that students can be assessed with fewer questions. That means less time spent assessing students. Not only does this mean there is more time for instruction, but it could potentially reduce fatigue from taking days of overly long exams.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of reading on a screen remains a challenge. It will be interesting to see how this develops. One potential remedy could just be changing the device. Five years ago iPad's didn't exist. It will be wonder if the use of tablets and touchscreens will change the way that people interact with digital texts.
In your post, you talk about how there is only one main plus for computer testing. Nick also brings up the point of adaptive. I also have another point of time efficiency. One of my friends took the DAT exam (dental school) and when she was done, she immediately knew what her score was. I have always hated knowing my score immediately, but I also was given my score after completing an online exam. It is so much easier for a computer to grade your test than another person, and the time saved is money saved. Many of these testing companies are not worried about how students read on screen, but more concerned with how much money each student brings in. I don't know how well the general public is educated on this topic, but as teaching interns, we need to start brings attention to the standardized testing in America.
ReplyDeleteY'all are both right; there are definitely multiple pros of online testing. I'm just stubborn and really dislike them, so am more prone to look more so at the negatives and forget the positives in this instance. Thank you for drawing my attention more to the other side of things and your comments!
ReplyDeleteKelsey, I definitely have to side with you as far as the cons involved with online testing. I've only taken one online test, and that was enough for me. When I took the GRE, it was only available as an online test for me. When I took it, I sat in front of a computer screen for 4 hours and almost wanted to bang my head several times. Now, if someone who is 20 something had such a low tolerance for this test, imagine what will happen for teenagers?
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