Press Release
Date: Tuesday 6 January 2004 (NR/01/04)
VISIONARY PROJECT A SUCCESS: ON-SCREEN EXAMS A REALITY
Students sitting GCSE and other high stakes examinations on-screen will become a reality, and sooner than we think - according to a report launched today by local awarding body CCEA and one of their English counterparts Edexcel.
During the final phase of the project the two bodies have been working with technology partner, BTL Group, to assess the feasibility of on-screen exams and explore the potential of using new technology to enhance the assessment process. The report launched today claims they have achieved both aims.
Speaking at the launch of the report in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, CCEA Chief Executive Gavin Boyd said,
“This project has proven that we can deliver important examinations on - screen. We have also confirmed that the use of technology itself is no barrier to the students involved. I am particularly pleased with the feedback both ourselves and Edexcel have received from the learners involved, both adults and young people, who have enjoyed taking their exams in this way.
Mr Boyd continued:
“The real challenges facing us now are contained in the recommendations of the report. Examinations are just one part of the educational mix. If students are to sit examinations on-screen then that must have implications for the rest of the teaching and assessment process.”
“For example, examiners have traditionally produced questions with
pen and paper tests in mind. Computer based tests require knowledge of
and provide opportunities to utilise a range of multimedia in the production
of questions.
More
This raises issues of training and development for current examiners and
the overall ICT skills and competencies of present and future teachers.
We must also ensure that investment in the education system here in Northern Ireland supports the development of classroom practice and the delivery of examinations and assessment.”
John Kerr, Edexcel's Chief Executive, added:
"The challenge for us is how we integrate 21st century testing and
assessment methods with the technology students are already using. I am
confident that the technology Edexcel has developed and which we have
piloted with CCEA will shape the model for tomorrow. "
Both CCEA and Edexcel are now using the know-how they have developed during the pilot phase to deliver ‘live’ Adult Literacy and Numeracy, and Key Skills tests at levels 1 and 2. Already nearly 150 centres in Northern Ireland and England have been equipped to deliver these tests.
Both awarding bodies are also looking at the possibility of how on-screen examinations can be introduced into other high stakes examinations in the immediate future.
CCEA/Edexcel Paperless Exams Project: Oct 2000 – Dec 2003
During this period CCEA in Northern Ireland and Edexcel in England ran trials of on-screen tests. In the final phase of the project -
At GCSE
20 schools in Northern Ireland and England involving 1416 tests being taken by pupils.
In Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy/Key Skills
16 Centres including a number of UFI and Services centres in Northern
Ireland, England and Germany, involving 346 tests being taken by learners.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
