The KS3 ICT test development project: Using IT to transform assessment Sue Walton, National Assessment Agency Glasgow, May 2006 Add name hereAdd date

Some types of e-Assessment Transferring paper-based examinations to onscreen delivered tests – paper to screen Using technology to develop and adapt the types of questions used in assessment and examinations – limited modification Innovation in assessment and examinations; greater flexibility in the availability of assessment information in the classroom - transformation

Underpinning assumptions The test might become high stakes at some time in the future The test would need to be accessed by 4000 schools and 600,000 pupils at any one time

Timeline 2004 – Technical Pilot 2005 – Pilot 2006 – National Pilot 2007 – Full National Pilot 2008 – Statutory Test

The test software system

Three system components Central Point System (centrally hosted) –test distribution, marking and reporting Administration Point System (local school server) – scheduling, invigilation, results, reporting Delivery Point System (school clients) –ICT Toolkit –‘walled garden’ test environment

Flexible administration Compatible with school Management Information Systems Electronic registration and timetabling 4-week window for the test rather than one fixed date

What are we assessing? NC programme of study Processes as well as skills, knowledge and understanding The NC programme of study covers: –Finding things out –Developing ideas and making things happen –Exchanging and sharing information –Reviewing, modifying and evaluating work as it progresses

About the ICT test Onscreen Secure walled garden Virtual toolkit of applications

The secure walled garden Necessary because: the test needs to be secure we need to prevent pupils from leaving the test environment we need to be able to capture the actions pupils take within the test so that they can be marked

Virtual toolkit of applications A suite of applications for pupils to use to complete their test Designed to be generic but similar to the applications pupils normally use Applications contain the functionality pupils would expect to be available

Virtual toolkit applications available for 2006 Word processor Spreadsheet File manager Web browser Database Presentation Control being developed

So what does the test software look like? A look at the 2006 pupil familiarisation materials (or see the test demo on

Further details Visit the test website: for information, copies of the training materials and to see a demo of the testwww.ks3ictpilot.com or