Traditional methods of assessment have long been a staple, burdening teachers with time-consuming tasks such as grading and administrative processes. However, a revolutionary trend is sweeping through classrooms, with the potential to completely transform the educational landscape as we know it: eAssessments. In recent years, educators and industry leaders have engaged in fervent discussions about the possibilities offered by eAssessments. This intriguing development enables educators to gather and monitor students' learning data with greater efficiency while embracing the concept of 'assessment for learning.' The advantages of eAssessments extend far beyond mere efficiency. They hold the profound promise of optimising educational outcomes through a personalised touch, empowering students to embark on a journey of self-directed learning.
The Education Bureau has classified assessment models into three distinct types based on their objectives: ‘Assessment of Learning’ evaluates educational quality or measures students' achievement levels; ‘Assessment for Learning; helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, supporting continuous improvement while enabling teachers to review and enhance their teaching objectives, plans, and strategies. Lastly, ‘Assessment as Learning’ encourages students to actively connect learning and assessment to develop and enhance their self-directed learning abilities.
The Finnish Approach to Self-Assessment
One shining example of an education system that emphasises self-assessment and continuous improvement is Finland. Finland, a country well known for its outstanding education system, offers a unique approach to the assessment of learning by not relying on formal exams. Under the Finnish Basic Education Act, the ultimate goal of school assessment is to support and motivate students to cultivate self-assessment abilities. Assessments assist students in recognising their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth, empowering them to engage in establishing their learning objectives and evaluating their advancement. Being actively engaged helps foster self-regulation skills, critical thinking abilities, and a growth mindset, all crucial for continuous learning.
Finland employs a range of assessment methods, including open-ended assessments that promote student self-assessment and peer assessment. An integral component of this approach is the significant role played by teacher feedback, which offers specific and personalised guidance to students, acknowledging their strengths while also providing constructive suggestions for improvement. What sets Finnish schools apart is their dedication to cultivating a positive learning environment that embraces mistakes as valuable opportunities for growth rather than viewing them as failures. This mindset nurtures students' intrinsic motivation and fosters a genuine passion for learning, rather than promoting a sense of competition among peers.
Gone are the days when assessments were limited to standardised tests and one-size-fits-all approaches. eAssessment platforms now offer a range of innovative methods that go beyond the confines of traditional assessment models. With adaptive learning, these platforms collect and analyse vast amounts of learning data with AI technology, enabling teachers to gain deeper insights into students' strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns and tailor a more personalised and effective learning experience.
Singapore's Success Story
Singapore's education system has gained worldwide recognition for its quality, with its students consistently topping the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The 2022 results revealed that Singaporean students ranked first in mathematics, science, and reading abilities. The assessment system administered by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) provides instant feedback and personalised learning recommendations to help students improve their learning outcomes. Through interactive discussions rooted in the assessment outcomes, students and teachers collaborate closely to devise effective strategies for continual improvement.
At the Temasek Polytechnic - Lufthansa Technical Training Centre in Singapore, where students pursuing aviation and aerospace diplomas receive specialised training, an online platform, known as the ‘e-Assessment and e-Feedback System’ (eAFS), is used to assess students' performance. The system helps students monitor their progress by showing their scores for each topic versus the average score of the cohort, total scores of individuals and percentage of grades achieved by the tutorial class versus the highest, lowest, average and individual scores of the cohort.
Adaptive Learning Takes Centre Stage
eAssessment tools for the assessment for learning have emerged as a cornerstone of innovating traditional teaching methodologies. A pivotal example of this transformative shift in Hong Kong is the collaboration between EdCity and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, which resulted in the Online Question Bank (OQB), a past examination paper repository designed to cater to students from Form 4 to Form 6. Dr. Siu Wai Lok, the Head of Assessment Technology and Research at the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority highlighted that the system's ingenious design incorporates a myriad of elements aimed at empowering students to take ownership of their educational journey. Central to the OQB is the add-on, namely, the Diagnostic Feedback System (DFS), where students are presented with key knowledge points and thought-provoking prompts, carefully curated by experienced teachers and subject experts. These prompts are strategically crafted based on the analysis of past candidates' responses, taking into account the level of difficulty of each question and the distribution of chosen answers. This intentional approach not only encourages critical thinking, but also motivates students to delve deeper into the subject matter, study relevant themes, and dispel any misconceptions they may have.
(One of the unique features of OQB is the ability to predict grades.)
(Students can gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.)
In addition, Dr. Siu Wai Lok mentioned that the OQB's advanced analysis capabilities extend beyond prompts. The system also evaluates students' performance and identifies questions that they are more likely to struggle with, particularly those they answered incorrectly. Moreover, it provides estimated grading levels (displayed as grades A to D) based on past examination data. This information helps teachers and students better understand their strengths and weaknesses in different subject areas, making it easier to set specific learning goals for future improvement.
The rise of adaptive learning platforms has ushered in a new era of personalised education. Dr. Siu's endorsement of these systems underscores their transformative potential, as they have the ability to dynamically adjust subsequent questions to align with students' abilities. This adaptive approach not only streamlines the assessment process but also optimises time usage by eliminating redundant questions that students have already mastered. As we look to the future, the widespread implementation of adaptive learning platforms holds immense promise for revolutionising education and empowering students to achieve their fullest potential.