Catshanghai

This BBC story highlights some of the issues surrounding the pilot key stage 3 ICT assessment. The UK government is currently piloting computer based tests to assess students ICT levels at the end of year 9. The government planned to make the online test compulsory for all schools starting in 2008. The pilot project has not worked out as planned, which means the QCA is now suggesting the test should be optional and used as one tool in a general assessment strategy.

Setting up an online test was very ambitious and there have often been technical problems when schools have tried to get it to work. The interface is generic for assessing general transferable skills, but most students are used to Windows or Macintosh systems. The scope of the assessment is also limited to wordprocessing, spreadsheets and presentations, whereas students need to become familiar with a wide range of Internet, database, digital audio and video tools.

I also think there should be a greater emphasis of social issues and the assessment regime needs to be more realistic. Most people use technology as part of a longer project that may take hours, if not days, weeks and months. Two fifty minute assignments may give some indication about students’ level of achievement, but I think it is much more useful to assess work on relevant tasks over a longer period of time. Maybe students will get help from parents and friends, but it is important for schools to have a clear academic honesty policy that gives freedom for collaboration as long as it is referenced properly. Learning how to work independently on collaborative long term projects is a lifelong skill that will help students to succeed as students and employees. The assessment strategy for ICT needs to reflect this. This article suggests that the QCA is aware of these needs.