e-Assessment in Practice
11-12 November 2009
A Shrivenham Symposium
Assessment is an integral part of learning. Although content development in e-learning environments has come a long way, e-assessment together with intelligent feedback remains a challenge. Assessment has moved on from simple multiple choice questions to very innovative approaches using symbolic systems, free text processing using techniques from natural language processing, computer assisted validation of human marked scripts, convenient mathematical input with the help of MathML. Many challenges still remain. Diagrammatic reasoning, free hand graphical input, and their assessment still need to find a technological solution. It is still early days to find all the functionality in one single platform. Publishers are increasingly offering books with integrated self-assessment with tools such as MyMathlab.
e-Assessment is an enormous challenge to designers, developers and the users alike. Despite significant improvements in the underlying technologies, there appears to be some reluctance to fully integrate assessment into the curriculum.
e-Learning in general shifts the responsibility to the learner which in turn demands far greater motivation and self-discipline. Organizational and cultural practices quite often sit at odds with the philosophy of e-learning, which in turn impacts on the take- up of e-Assessment. Despite some of these challenges, e-Assessment has been used successfully for many qualifying examinations (MRCS, Driving License Tests, DHS, IELTD, TDA) where there is little need for immediate intelligent feedback.
e-Assessment has come a long way and is here to stay. Many technological challenges still remain. The conference provides ample opportunities to discuss your concerns with leading authorities in the field, and provides an opportunity to shape the future of the e-Assessment.
How can you contribute?
Papers are solicited on any subject relevant to the conference topic. The following areas are suggested, but the list is not exhaustive:
- Technological innovations in e-Assessment
- Assessment of free text
- Symbolic and graphical input
- Diagrammatic reasoning
- Audio assessment
- Free-hand diagrams
- Problem-based/project-based assessment
- Intelligent Feedback
- Formative and Summative assessments
- Pedagogical principles and practices
- Use of computer games and virtual environments
- Cultural and organizational issues of e-Assessment
- End user and organizational perspectives
- Reviews of current technologies.
Who will be there?
The symposium is strongly focussed on current technologies that have been successfully deployed and provides an opportunity to preview the forthcoming developments. The audience not familiar with some of the technologies have an opportunity to sample and discuss the possibilities in hands-on workshops. The highlights of the symposium include
- Invited speakers
- Live Demonstrations
- Refereed papers on topics including
- Review of assessment technologies
- Organizational and cultural impact of e-Assessment
- Problem-based/project-based assessment.
If you wish to submit a paper or a poster, please complete Abstract Submission Form and return it, together with your abstract of up to 300 words, by 17 August 2009. The authors are allocated 25 minutes for the presentation of their paper followed by five minutes for questions.
Format
This symposium, as one of a series of symposia at Shrivenham, builds on the well-proven format which brings together representatives from Defence, Government Agencies, Educational Authorities, Academic Institutions and Publishers in a relaxed atmosphere within the surroundings of the Defence Academy. In this symposium, the presenters will include academic practitioners, educationalists, designers and developers of e-Assessment, educational authorities, councils, military decision makers and educational experts.
Delegates are invited from any organization that is involved in e-Assessment or those actively thinking of exploiting the technology. Ample time is provided to encourage informal discussion during breaks for coffee, lunch and tea. You will have further opportunities to network and discuss issues with your peers.
Proceedings are made available at the end of the symposium free to all delegates.
Timings and Registration
Registration will begin at 0930 hrs on Wednesday, 11 November at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham. If you wish to attend the symposium, please complete and return the attached Registration Form, to the address shown before 14 September 2009. In order to keep the intimate atmosphere of the symposium, attendance is limited to 250 participants. Please book early to ensure a place.
Exhibition, Demonstrations and Workshops
The symposium provides a highly targeted audience. Time will be especially allotted to the displays and we offer companies, departments and establishments an opportunity to (exhibit) display or demonstrate their software product, or advertise their capabilities.
If you wish to offer hands-on demonstrations, facilities are available for workshops or demonstrations to small groups.
more information here: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/cds/symposia/ea09.jsp