[JRA]

From 2016 NAPLAN tests will be completed online

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-07/mini...-online/4415808

The bit that really intrigues me is

"It means as well that the fear that the teacher might teach to the test will be completely reduced for all time, because it will be a deeper interrogation of how a child is going in terms of testing."

Mr Garrett says it will simplify coordinating and marking of the tests and believes it will also make the NAPLAN test a more effective tool to assist teachers.

"I think the key thing here is that it will give us a much better assessment of children, both at the lower end and the top end of the band," he said.

"That's really important for teachers because it means that the diagnostic tool element of NAPLAN is greatly enhanced as a result of online testing."

How does making it online give a deeper interrogation of a child? is the test going to be harder? Are they going to do what to make it a better interrogation and a better assessment of a child?

[.Jerry.]

Haven't got a clue how the test can interrogate better online. The only thing I can think of is if the test is intuitive, as in it can modify the questions based on earlier responses.

Looking forward to the technical issues and resourcing implications of this one though. Not.

[Jemstar]

Beats the crap outta me JRA.

Unless he has an attack of the 'anything done online is inherenetly better' disease, or there's a lot more to what he said than is being reported here. Nothing they do, however, will stop teachers (being forced to) teaching to this test, especially while the current political agenda surrounds it.

What does concern me is this idea that every child in Australia will be able to complete the test online adequately. As a teacher who teaches in an online school, I can assure the government that there will probably be quite a lot of teaching necessary to get the kids to be able to do the test, especially in the earlier years. We all think, oh kids these days, they are so tech savvy, but often thy need a lot of guidance and assistance, even when you think they don't. I will also be interested to see how they manage the writing test.

ETA - Good thinking Jerry, that is a possibility. However, imagine the money they would have to pour into developing and maintaining a test like that

This post has been edited by Jemstar: 07/12/2012, 06:17 PM

[Soprano-Cat]

It'll certainly be a test of whether a teacher has the skills to teach computer literacy - or the kids have the comprehension to understand.

Given that there are kids in our school who have trouble doing the basic job of logging into their accounts, I can't see this ending well.

[Soprano-Cat]

Looking forward to the technical issues and resourcing implications of this one though. Not.

didn't even think of that.

Apart from 2 laptop classes of 25 kids, the only other PCs we have in our school of over 900 is 2 computer labs of 30, and 3-4 in each double classroom. Given that in our school alone, next year, there will be 100 Grade 3s...

[littleboysmum]

How on earth are year 3 and 5 students going to complete the writing test online?

The mind boggles.

[Sif]

Interrogation - what is it, an anti-terrorist program?

The whole, 'It's on a device, it must be superior.' argument frustrates me to tears!

[greatwon2]

Do the teachers perhaps get the written tests in advance and doing it online with new questions each year stop that?

Otherwise i don't know what their on about lol

[Belinda18]

Should be interesting to see how slow a website would run with all year 3,5 and 9 students in the country trying to access it at the same time!

[.Jerry.]

Do the teachers perhaps get the written tests in advance and doing it online with new questions each year stop that?

- The packets are sealed until the afternoon before the test (at the earliest). We are supposed to maintain tight security on the tests.

Should be interesting to see how slow a website would run with all year 3,5 and 9 students in the country trying to access it at the same time!

- Maybe it will be ClickFrenzy all over again.