Technology in the service of twenty-first century learning and assessment

In 2006 one of the UK’s largest awarding bodies, the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), completed its first trial of computer-delivered assessment at GCSE. The approach taken by AQA was to create a closedresponse computer-delivered test as one component of a science GCSE. The on-screen test was created by selecting suitable materials from past paper-based tests. The AQA pilot was critically reviewed by the national media, who were sceptical of the value of multiple-choice testing. Jonathan Osborne, Professor of Science Education at King’s College London said: ‘How is this going to assess pupils’ ability to express themselves in scientific language, a major aspect of science?’ The Times article expressed strong doubt regarding the educational value of this approach to testing, a view shared by many educators in the UK.