Teacher feedback demonstrates that there is a growing problem. As technology uptake grows in the classroom and the workplace, approaches to learning and employment become separated from the world of final examinations. As a result, schools will be reluctant to invest time and money in technology-enhanced learning unless realistic solutions that work with the national examination structure are produced.
In July, BTL ran a teacher workshop in Leeds and it revealed some interesting problems for the future of examinations. To date, using paper and pen within an exam has been part of a learning cycle, but that learning cycle is on the verge of collapse with the rapidly increasing use of computers in the classroom across forward thinking schools both in the UK and internationally.
Schools generally follow the guidelines that candidates can use computers in exams if it is their “Normal way of working” and for their own reassurance, if it is proven that for them, typing is more effective than writing.
[one-half-first] So as learning with computers becomes normal, what does that mean for assessments?
It is fair to say that in most schools, current year 11 (K12 or P-12) and above students work mainly on paper in the classroom and in examinations. This is mainly due to teaching practices and the fact that until SurpassPaper+ came along, there has been no opportunity for realistic change. Single day, one paper, national examinations will not be changing for some time, it would take a bold move by a government to implement this.
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Therefore exam practice (or mocks as they are sometimes called), have to simulate the final exam experience to give the candidate the best chance of performing on the day. The problem is that teaching and the use of technology is changing, the current primary and early secondary generations are using technology more and more in the classroom. It is also clear that the majority of children have access to computers and tablets at home, and for nearly every job, proficient use of technology is pivotal to success.
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[/one-half-first] [one-half] [/one-half] [clearfix]When was the last time you won a major tender with a handwritten quote or impressed a customer with a penned note?
So where does this leave examinations, and what is their future relevance for learning and employment?
During the workshop we spoke to a school who are making the switch to an iPad-based, paperless future. It’s a challenge, but one that more and more schools are taking up. These experienced educational professionals are passionate about technology and the role it has to play in the future of education. This does leave them with a potential problem, what happens to skills developed through computer-based coursework when it comes to the traditional final exam? This is where SurpassPaper+ has captured their imagination.
By looking at technology like SurpassPaper+ they are able to potentially improve the way they run exams for the growing mix of typists and writers, run practice examinations as close to real life as they can knowing that they can sustainably accommodate the big day. In addition, they bring improvements to their own internal assessment, marking and feedback processes. They don’t have to wait for the awarding organisations to make the changes to start seeing the benefits, but if the AO’s do, it will more than likely influence their selection criteria.
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So how does SurpassPaper+ work?
SurpassPaper+ is a step towards full on-screen assessment, but one that makes its application in national examinations more palatable. Rather than the questions being presented on-screen as with normal e-assessment, candidates simply type their responses to paper-based questions using the secure SurpassPaper+ app. It doesn’t need to have the internet, and it doesn’t need to know anything about the exam paper, but it is secure and because it has the potential to upload the paper directly to the school network or to the awarding organisation; delivery is more reliable with a digital audit trail reducing the worry of a lost candidate script.
BTL are piloting SurpassPaper+ and working with all stakeholders to make sure that the technology and the process is robust and reliable, after all final examinations are a big deal in the lives of students. BTL are planning further workshops around the country and also running pilots in the Netherlands, a country well known for its innovative use of digital technology in examinations. If you’re interested in technology and it’s relationship to learning and assessment, then we strongly recommend that you talk to us about piloting SurpassPaper+
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If you would like further information about SurpassPaper+ and how it could be used by your School, College, University or Professional assessment programme then please get in touch using our simple contact form.