Contemporary assessment methods in the United States and other parts of the world reflect the progressive development of the education sectors’ legal and organizational environments. The systems have evolved from traditional oral evaluations to the now common standardized testing, reflecting pedagogical changes. As a result, stakeholders in the sector have witnessed significant changes in approaches used to test knowledge acquisition. These changes have notable dominant assessment techniques, differentiating the various stages of the evolution.
The age of oral testing: Before 1845
In the early days of education, assessments were primarily oral. As the student, you would have to respond to specific questions from the teacher. The educator would then make a subjective assessment and conclusion about your abilities and skills. Since the education system was teacher-focused, the teachers dictated the objectives. You needed to conform to the educators’ expectations. Although written assessments later became common, they were a slight improvement in the oral systems.
The teacher-centric system persisted, mostly due to rigid legal, social, and political systems affecting education. Written exams started cropping up in the early 19th century, although fears of unprecedented externalities dominated. When Horace Mann introduced the first formalized assessment in 1845, teachers became subject to ridicule. The examiners were critical of the United States education system and quality, blaming teachers for the poor performances. For an in-depth essay on the assessments before standardized testing go to the main page and get the topic covered from A to Z.
The age of standardized testing: 20th century
By the mid-19th century, the United States had started experiencing school reforms and revolutionary changes in the education system. Parents, teachers, and other stakeholders started showing more interest in the learner’s development. Standardized testing gained popularity in the 20th century, becoming increasingly common due to its comparability. Educators could track learners’ knowledge and skill acquisition and document the information for reference and comparison.
As the assessment evolved, teachers became more interested in checking academic progress based on specific skills. Standardized tests enable these activities, helping educators address specific weaknesses and target areas. For instance, if a student struggles with reading while performing well in other areas, the teacher can incorporate scaffolding and other targeted approaches to help. Since then, standardized tests have evolved, incorporating social, political, and technological changes.
Standardized assessments have become increasingly popular as stakeholders in the education sector are more interested in consistency and fairness. As a teacher, this concept offers you a simplified approach for comparing students’ performances. You can administer the same test to the whole class and use standard evaluation criteria to gauge their development. Besides, a standardized test allows you to maintain a record and monitor learners’ progress over time. As a result, revolutionary changes in testing dominate the education sector in the United States to date.
Educators’ focus has shifted from the need to evaluate academic performance to the student’s willingness to learn and ability to obtain and retain knowledge. Standardization has extended to more than classwork and summative assessments. Educators keep records of students’ achievements, aptitudes, and objectives. Hence, testing is more student-focused, helping to create a detailed record of the learners’ progress. Institutions of higher learning require applicants to write admission essays. This way, assessment begins before the student joins the institution.
The information era: 21st-century assessments
The 21st century marks extraordinary evolutions of assessment methods in the United States and globally. The information era is dominated by revolutionary technological developments and innovativeness, prompting immense pedagogical changes. As teaching evolves to newer and technology-based curricula, assessments also change. While standardized testing is still popular, educators have developed better exam administration techniques and improved tests. They are no longer interested in comparison but mostly in fairness and skill.
Testing in the 21st century is part of the learning process. These evolutionary changes aim to invigorate students’ interest in education. The future of education is innovative, fun, and engaging, eliminating the one-size-fits-all approach in standardized testing. The use of technology in teaching and assessments focuses on creating a more involving environment, giving rise to innovative assessment methods.
Computer-based assessments
These are electronic tests administered through computers, phones, or tablets. They enable easy access and adaptive evaluations. Besides, these technology-based assessments eliminate unnecessary costs for students and educators.
Online assessments
With the rise of distance and digital learning, confining learners in a single classroom is becoming increasingly complex and untenable. Institutions now opt for online examinations, allowing students to sit for their exams from home or office.
Adaptive assessments
The future of education is more student-oriented. Adaptive assessments incorporate fairness in testing by adjusting questions to a learner’s capability. With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, educators can now administer equitable tests without setting different exams. They can also avail personalized evaluations and recommendations, extending learning into the exam room.
