Head of AQA: exams could be online within 3 years

[noblegiraffe]

Colin Hughes, head of AQA has been interviewed:

Mr Hughes said he would support the launch of “national pilots” for “on-screen assessment”, and that it would take just three years to go from the today’s “totally paper-based” system to having some modules on computers…

Computer-based exams would have a range of benefits, he said, such as making it possible to set “adaptive” tests that tailor themselves to each student – getting harder or easier depending on how the student answers questions, to more accurately pinpoint their ability.

Because pupils would all sit slightly different tests, adaptive tests could eventually revolutionise the school calendar, removing the need for a summer exam season.

Instead, students could take the tests on a “when-ready basis”, which would be “arguably fairer”, said Mr Hughes.”

He also says that issues with lack of computers was something that could easily be sorted. I’m not sure how, tbh.

I read stuff like this and think ‘fgs another overhaul of the exams system is not what we need right now.

I also really don’t want kids sitting maths exams on a computer.

inews.co.uk/news/education/gcses-a-levels-2022-computer-based-exams-online-tests-aqa-1308135

I think it sounds sensible.

I think it sounds like a cheating problem waiting to happen.

If they change the specs for exams again now I might cry.

Why would they be able to cheat? Presumably they'd be supervised and the software wouldn't allow surfing

This 'age not stage' bin the summer exams suggestion also begs the question 'what would the student who did the exam early then do?'

Why would you not want to see online exams? They already use them at university level and have software that locks the browser so you are unable to navigate away from the test screen.

Why would you not want to see online exams?

I'm a maths teacher. Typing maths on a computer actually interferes with the ability to do the maths because you're too busy thinking about how to type it to be able to think properly about the question.

This 'age not stage' bin the summer exams suggestion also begs the question 'what would the student who did the exam early then do?'

Yup.

The graded questions are an interesting one. My subject no longer has tiered exams, but this would be a return to that. It would be interesting to see how that works.

I think this is an interesting idea.

There are already online tests in some BTEC modules, so the technology is there. A lot of students are already given permission to use a laptop.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would want this for Mathematics of Science exams, but I don't see how there would be a problem in 'essay'-heavy subjects, perhaps for just one or two of the modules.

This would have to be the students' normal way of working, and the school would have to have sufficient, reliable IT resources.

I can't see how it won't go this way.

Once again, independent schools will be way ahead of the game, where many already have 1:1 ratio of internally networked devices and already operate a mostly paperless curriculum. Even at prep level common entrance has almost entirely given way to ISEB type computerised testing. My DSs little back-water country prep school requires every Y7&8 to have a Surface. My friend's DSs had to have them from Y3.

Once again it will, at least initially, put the most disadvantaged at the biggest disadvantage.

The writing is on the wall though- computerised assessment will appeal to many of the powers that be.

@2reefsin30knots

I can't see how it won't go this way.

Once again, independent schools will be way ahead of the game, where many already have 1:1 ratio of internally networked devices and already operate a mostly paperless curriculum. Even at prep level common entrance has almost entirely given way to ISEB type computerised testing. My DSs little back-water country prep school requires every Y7&8 to have a Surface. My friend's DSs had to have them from Y3.

Once again it will, at least initially, put the most disadvantaged at the biggest disadvantage.

The writing is on the wall though- computerised assessment will appeal to many of the powers that be.

A small school may not employ full-time tech staff, so may find this tricky to implement.

It's fine when it goes well.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would want this for Mathematics of Science exams,

AQA guy does! "He said he did not back abolishing pen-and-paper tests entirely, but that in a subject like maths GCSE, two of the three papers could be delivered digitally, with the third staying on paper."

Could be pen enabled computers? I think it's worth thinking about although definitely something that couldn't be rushed in

I think AQA guy is thinking about saving money for exam boards. Printing is expensive. If it's online, the cost of buying the computing equipment falls to schools, not exam boards.

If essay subjects are online, then kids will need to be taught typing skills.

Printing is also environmentally unfriendly. It's good to at least try and think of alternatives.

Being taught typing would be excellent!

Are computers environmentally friendly?

Probably more so than millions of pieces of paper.

Makes perfect sense. But what they should do to complement it is teaching touch typing from Reception as well as handwriting, it's much more useful.

People saying how it makes sense need to also explain logistically how it can be implemented.

Makes sense for multiple choice exams, doesn't make sense for most other types of assessment

I don't think anyone in their right mind would want this for Mathematics of Science exams

I agree with this. I teach physics and have a pen tablet linked to my computer. The science GCSE is 20% maths.

I would never use the computer to solve an equation. Pen and paper is way way easier.

I’m not Luddite though. Totally accept things will move way from paper over the coming years. The trials shouldn’t include maths and science initially.
Possibly not geography 10% of geography is maths.

I’m not against change but it could take a number of years before we could move a maths paper online (possibly it would never work).

I don’t think we’re going to be doing all exams on computers in 3 years, but I can definitely have envisage some papers being done that way by then. There’s already online exams in BTECs in my school, so it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine some A Level exams being done that way in a few years. History or Sociology or Politics A Level could quite easily be done online and it would be much more environmentally sound,
Where we’d run into logistical problems as a school would be with the core GCSEs, where you have a whole year group needing to do the exam at the same time.

It only makes sense in the context of a school who have already moved across to paperless as their normal way of working.

In DH's school all parents have been required to buy a networked, pen-enabled device from the school (on top of the 40k fees). The school have a well staffed IT department and a 'HoD of Digital Learning'. The school has undergone major structural reforms to ensure there are enough plug sockets and rock solid, fast wifi throughout the (in some cases literally ancient) buildings. The staff CPD has been massively focused on effective digital learning for several years. They are at a point where they could pretty easily deliver digital assessment.

The powers that be will point to schools like his and say 'that's how you can do it'. The standard, chronically underfunded state school, struggling to keep the buildings fit for basic habitation, would not be able to pull this off in 3 years.

Hurrah finally a move to the modern world. Having a dysgraphic, dyspraxic, dyslexic daughter I salute any system that doesn’t see her discriminated against.

@Kikkomam

Probably more so than millions of pieces of paper.

But millions of pieces of paper are easily recycled where computers contain poisonous materials that can't go into landfill? Computers also need to be regularly replaced or upgraded.