Assessment Literacy in the Digital Age: What do the Results Mean?

 

 

Assessment literacy is essential for educators, administrators, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in education to make informed decisions, improve teaching and learning practices, and promote student success. Assessment literacy is the ability to interpret, develop, and use assessments effectively and ethically to evaluate student learning and guide instructional decisions. It requires knowledge and skills associated with designing, selecting, interpreting, and using high-quality assessments to improve student learning. Husain (2021) indicated that “assessment literacy for educators has become an integral part of education systems” (p. 65).

 

Assessment contributes to effective instruction and curriculum decisions. For example, it can help you answer questions like the following:

 

• Did my students master the learning targets of this course?
• Should I reteach or move on to the next lesson?
• Do any students need individual tutoring?
• Are our intervention programs effective?
• Does our assessment rigor match instructional rigor?
• Where can we improve instruction?

 

Proficiency in assessment practices enhances the quality of teaching and learning (Husain, 2021). Assessment knowledge, skills, and practices are necessary for preparing effective assessment tools and strategies.

 

Digital Literacy Skills in Assessment Practices

As instruction moved online due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, digital assessment literacy has become critical to instruction. Digital literacy skills guide assessment of online instruction. Digital literate assessments do not replace classroom assessments; instead, they expand the skill set required of educators. At the same time, digital tools can augment and automate assessment practices, making the assessment process more informative, faster, and more convenient.

 

Digital literacy and assessment literacy are both crucial skills in the modern educational landscape and they are interrelated in eight ways illustrated in the table below:

	In-Person Assessment	Digital Literacy Assessment
Individual Student Performance	Assessment results provide insights into individual student performance. Educators can identify students who are excelling, those who may be struggling, and those who fall somewhere in between. This information helps teachers tailor instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.	Digital literacy equips educators to navigate and analyze digital assessment data effectively, identifying trends and patterns in individual student performance.
Learning Progress	Assessment results can also indicate students' progress over time. By comparing current results to previous assessments, educators can assess growth and identify areas where students may need additional support or enrichment.	Digital literacy enables educators to conduct personalized data analysis, identifying areas where individual students may need additional support or enrichment based on digital assessment data.
Curriculum Alignment	Assessment results can reveal how well instructional practices align with curriculum standards and learning objectives. If students consistently perform poorly on specific assessments, it may indicate a need to revisit or revise instructional strategies and materials to better address the curriculum.	With digital literacy, educators can easily compare current assessment results to previous data sets, facilitating longitudinal analysis of student progress and alignment with curriculum standards.
Instructional Effectiveness	Assessment results provide feedback on the effectiveness of instructional methods and interventions. Educators can analyze which instructional approaches are most successful in promoting student learning and adjust their teaching practices accordingly.	Digital literacy supports educators in mapping assessment results to curriculum standards and adjusting instructional practices to better align with curriculum requirements based on digital assessment data.
Group Performance Patterns	Examining assessment results for groups of students can reveal patterns and trends in performance. Educators can use this information to identify instructional priorities, allocate resources effectively, and implement targeted interventions for specific student populations.	Digital literacy enables educators to create interactive data visualizations that enhance the interpretation of group performance patterns, allowing for dynamic exploration of assessment data.
Data-Informed Decision-Making	Assessment results serve as valuable data points for informed decision-making at the classroom, school, and district levels. Educators can use assessment data to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement, allocate resources strategically, and monitor progress toward educational goals.	With digital literacy, educators can make data-driven decisions based on assessment results, identifying instructional priorities, allocating resources effectively, and implementing targeted interventions using digital tools for data analysis.
Communication with Stakeholders	Educators should be able to effectively communicate assessment results to students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. Clear and transparent communication helps stakeholders understand student progress, areas of concern, and strategies for improvement.	Digital literacy empowers educators to communicate assessment results digitally to various stakeholders, using platforms such as learning management systems and online portals for transparent and effective communication.
Ethical Considerations	It is essential to interpret assessment results ethically and responsibly, considering factors such as fairness, equity, and confidentiality. Educators should avoid making assumptions based solely on assessment data and consider multiple sources of evidence when evaluating student performance.	Digital literacy includes understanding ethical considerations in data interpretation, ensuring that educators interpret assessment results responsibly, considering factors such as fairness, equity, and confidentiality in their analysis.

Table 1: Considerations for Classroom and Digital Assessments

In summary, digital literacy and assessment literacy are interrelated in education, as they both contribute to effective teaching and learning practices in the digital age. Educators who possess both sets of skills are equipped to leverage technology for assessment purposes, interpret assessment data accurately, address technological challenges, and create meaningful assessments.

References

 

Husain, F. N. (2021). Digital Assessment Literacy: The Need of Online Assessment Literacy and Online Assessment Literate Educators. International Education Studies, 14(10), 65-, No. 10; 2021

National Task Force on Assessment Education for Teachers (n.d.). Assessment Literacy Defined. Institute for Education Sciences. Available https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/regions/northeast/onlinetraining/ResourcesTools/Assessment%20Literacy%20Definition.pdf

Techniques for Assessing Digital Literacy Skills

 

Assessing digital literacy skills requires a multifaceted approach encompassing various purposes and techniques tailored to the specific competencies being evaluated (Reichert et al., 2023). Digital literacy comprises multiple skills, including information literacy, media literacy, digital communications, cybersecurity awareness (privacy and safety), critical thinking and problem-solving using digital tools, coding/programming, and, more recently, artificial intelligence literacy. In this blog post, we present information about assessment types, and techniques and link them to digital literacy. As a summary, we include a table that matches assessment techniques with their purposes, key features, educational impact, and types.

 

Assessment Types

Assessments can be formative, summative, or performance-based: 

• Formative Assessments are conducted during the learning process to provide ongoing feedback for instructors and adult learners so that they can adjust their teaching and learning strategies.
• Performance-based Assessments are used to evaluate the ability of learners to perform tasks in real or simulated environments. These can be formative or summative assessments.
• Summative Assessments occur at the end of a learning period and are used to evaluate the total learning outcomes.

 

Assessment Techniques

Assessment techniques are specific methods or tools to gather information about learners' knowledge, skills, abilities, and performance (Hill, 2020). Common techniques used to assess digital literacy skills include 1) formative assessment with feedback, 2) practical application, and 3) simulations with case-based scenarios.

 

1.     Formative Assessment with Feedback

Formative Assessment Tools: Incorporate formative assessment tools such as online polls, surveys, exit tickets, or quick quizzes to gauge learners' understanding and real-time progress.

Online Quizzes and Tests: Use online quizzes and tests to assess learners' knowledge of digital concepts, terminology, and best practices. Questions can address internet safety, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, software applications, file management, and basic troubleshooting. Provide immediate feedback to learners to reinforce learning and address misconceptions.

Digital Portfolios: Have learners compile digital portfolios that highlight their digital creations, projects, and reflections on their learning journey. Portfolios can include work samples, self-assessments, reflections on challenges and successes, and evidence of growth over time. Assess portfolios based on criteria such as organization, depth of reflection, creativity, and mastery of digital skills.

Online Discussions and Collaborative Activities: Facilitate online discussions and collaborative activities that require learners to communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve in digital environments. Assess participation, contributions, and collaboration skills demonstrated during these activities. Use rubrics or checklists to evaluate communication effectiveness, teamwork, and digital etiquette.

Online Assessment Tools: Employ online assessment tools and platforms for evaluating digital literacy skills. These tools may include interactive simulations, adaptive quizzes, coding challenges, digital storytelling platforms, and gamified learning experiences. Analyze learners' performance data and engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement and personalize instruction.

2.     Practical Application

Performance-Based Tasks: Create tasks that require learners to perform specific actions using digital tools or platforms. For example, tasks might include creating a document in a word processing program, conducting online research, organizing data in a spreadsheet, or designing a presentation. Assess learners based on the quality and efficiency of their performance.

Digital Projects: Assign digital projects that allow learners to demonstrate their creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills. Projects could involve creating multimedia presentations, websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, or digital artwork. Assess the projects based on content relevance, organization, multimedia integration, and technical proficiency.

Authentic Assessments: Design authentic assessments that require learners to apply digital literacy skills in real-world contexts relevant to their interests, academic pursuits, or future careers. Authentic assessments may involve creating a digital marketing campaign, analyzing data sets, coding a software application, or designing a website for a local business.

3.     Simulations and Scenario-Based Learning

Simulations: Develop environments or scenarios that mirror real-life digital tasks or challenges. For instance, simulating an online shopping experience, navigating social media privacy settings, or troubleshooting common computer issues. Observe learners' interactions and decision-making processes within the simulation to assess their digital problem-solving skills and strategies.

The table below organizes these assessment techniques by their purposes, key features, educational impact, and type of assessment.

Technique	Purpose	Key Features	Educational Impact	Type of Assessment
1.     Formative Assessments with Feedback
Online Quizzes and Tests	Assess knowledge of digital concepts and practices.	Questions on internet safety, cybersecurity, digital citizenship.	Provides immediate feedback; ensures understanding of fundamental digital concepts.	Summative
Digital Portfolios	Showcase and reflect on digital learning journey.	Collection of digital work, reflections, and assessments.	Encourages self-assessment and continuous learning; demonstrates growth and mastery.	Formative, Summative
Online Discussions and Collaborative Activities	Enhance communication and collaboration in digital environments.	Forums and collaborative tasks online.	Builds communication and teamwork skills; fosters community engagement.	Formative, Summative
Online Assessment Tools	Evaluate and enhance digital literacy skills.	Interactive simulations, quizzes, and gamified learning experiences.	Offers personalized insights; supports adaptive learning and skill development.	Formative, Summative
1.     Practical Application
Performance-Based Tasks	Develop practical skills using digital tools.	Hands-on activities with digital tools like word processors, spreadsheets.	Enhances operational proficiency in technology use; promotes task-specific skills.	Summative
Digital Projects	Foster creativity and technical skills through project creation.	Creation of multimedia presentations, websites, blogs, etc.	Encourages innovation, critical thinking, and comprehensive technical skill application.	Summative
Authentic Assessments	Apply digital skills in real-world contexts.	Realistic tasks like digital marketing campaigns, software coding.	Improves ability to transfer skills to real-life scenarios; enhances job-relevant competencies.	Summative, Performance-based
2.     Simulations with Case-Scenarios
Simulations	Mirror real-life digital challenges for problem-solving practice.	Scenarios like online shopping, navigating privacy settings.	Develops decision-making and problem-solving skills in realistic settings.	Formative, Summative

 

By employing these assessment techniques, educators can effectively assess adult learners' digital literacy skills across various domains, including technical proficiency, critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and responsible digital citizenship. Additionally, providing opportunities for practice, feedback, and reflection can support learners in developing and refining their digital skills over time.

References

Hill, L. H. (2020). Assessment, evaluation, and accountability in adult education. Stylus.

Reichert, F., Pan, Q., & Chen. L. L. (2023). Digital literacy assessment. UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report Team. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386202

 

Assessment Essentials: What Educators Need to Know

 

 

Assessment is integral to teaching and learning. It is an essential component of education that helps educators, students, and administrators understand the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Assessment results provide information about adult learners’ strengths and weaknesses, areas needing improvement, and learners’ achievements related to learning objectives and standards. When done well, the assessment also provides information about teaching effectiveness, the relevance of instruction to learners, and what should be modified for future instruction (Hill, 2020). In all settings, assessment is not an empty exercise. Still, it provides valuable information about what adult learners know, what they are learning, and what needs to happen next to facilitate continued learning (Hill, 2020).

 

Purposes of Assessment

Assessment has several interrelated purposes: identifying and communicating learning goals and outcomes, helping students achieve these goals through activities that promote active, engaged learning, and analyzing, reporting, and reflecting on results that lead to continued improvement. Information gained from assessments can be used to inform learners of how well they are doing and what learning strategies they could use to facilitate improvement. At the same time, instructors can learn from assessments to identify ways that their lessons can be improved to meet the needs of their students better.

 

Principles of Assessment

Principles of assessment articulated by people recognized for their expertise include (Hutchings et al., 2012):

1. Assessment works best when educators understand adult learning as multidimensional, integrated with daily life and work, and revealed in performance over time.
2. Assessment functions best when programs have well-defined, explicit objectives.
3. Assessment requires consideration of desired outcomes and learning experiences that lead to the outcomes.
4. Assessment is most effective when it occurs regularly rather than sporadically.
5. Assessment makes a difference when it starts with practical concerns and sheds light on issues that matter to adult learners.
6. Assessment is more apt to foster improvement when integrated with societal and workplace conditions promoting change.

 

Assessment Planning

Figure 1 contains an Assessment Planning Cycle that integrates instructional lessons and assessments. It represents an iterative process used consistently to promote effective teaching and learning.

 

Figure 1: The Assessment Planning Cycle

 

 

Both instructional lessons and assessments should be aligned with learning objectives. That means that planning instruction and assessments should be conducted simultaneously.

 

1. Align Lesson Objectives with Digital Literacy Competencies

• Define clear and measurable learning objectives for the lesson.
• The learning activities and outcomes should be directly tied to enhancing students' digital skills.

 

2. Incorporate Digital Literacy Skills and Assessments into Lesson

• Design lesson plans that explicitly incorporate digital literacy skills.
• Select appropriate technologies, digital tools, and online resources.
• Identify learning assessments linked to digital literacy competencies.

 

3. Implement Lesson

• Facilitate activities that encourage the use of digital skills.
• Provide opportunities to practice these skills in a real-world context.

 

4. Assess Learners' Proficiency Toward Competencies

• Assess students' proficiency in the targeted digital literacy competencies.
• Use formal tests and assignments for observations and self-assessments.

 

5. Link Learner Competency to Job Placement

• Link the acquired digital literacy competencies to potential job placements or career paths.
• Verify that the curriculum is aligned with industry standards.

 

By following these steps, educators can create a structured and effective teaching and learning process that supports student growth and achievement of digital literacy skills. Each step builds upon the previous one, leading to a comprehensive cycle of instruction, assessment, and feedback that promotes adult learning.

 

References

Hill, L. H. (Ed.) (2020). Assessment, evaluation, and accountability in adult education. Stylus.

Hutchings, P., Ewell, P., & Banta, T. (2012). AAHE principles of good practice. Aging nicely. National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment. Available https://www.learningoutcomesassessment.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Viewpoint-Hutchings-EwellBanta.pdf