Web 2.0 and Testing

I think that social media is going to change all the rule about testing. Besides the obvious, psychometric reliability, validity and legal defensibility who is the "authority" or subject matter experts? Who should the certifying body be? In the world of Web 2.0 the is much more emphasis on group opinion than top-down thinking. Doesn't that change who should decide what goes in a certification exam then? The implications are staggering. Who is in charge of authorized content? Look at Wikipedia as an example... this mysterious body of experts declares what is relevant, what needs citations etc. And its all self governed. If we think that this trend will not affect testing we are kidding ourselves.

Security, Biometrics, Identity Authentication

In a world where identity theft is a painful reality, we all have to become more educated on these and other related issues. Is is fair to require online students to "prove" who they are when if the same student were participating in a traditional brick-and-mortar class we would only take them on their word while calling attendance role? Technology continues to push us into uncomfortable areas. Are webcams an invasion of privacy? Is biometric enrollment really an different than your bank asking for some for of ID? I am not sure. But I am sure that we will see more and more discussion, requirements and even abuses of security, biometrics and identity authentication. This is particularly important in the high-stakes testing field. Are paper-based more secure? I do not think so, but we are just more comfortable with them and dare I say the ways of cheating (writing the answers on your arm, peeking a neighbors answer sheet etc.) Technology makes testing more convenient and hopefully more cost effective. But it presents new ways to try and beat the system. Our job is to stay one step ahead of them.

Why are we so stuck to brick and mortar?

I understand why we have used brick and mortar testing for so many years - we had no viable alternatives. But now with innovations in technology it is so much better, secure, affordable etc. yet why do we stick to the past so zealously. I know change can be scary, but really. Paper-based testing in the 21st century for large scale assessements, certification, licensure, or even entrance exams... it does not have to be hard.

Marketing and Online Testing

What role does marketing play and important role in Online Testing? YES. I think that generally people do not understand that online testing can really be secure. It is also very green. Isn't that an important messasage to get out?

Online Testing = Green?

Is online testing green? I think so although some would argue that the actual manufacturing of the computer and its current lack of adequate recycling makes computers a marginally green technology. But unless you are riding your bike or driving your electric car to a testing center to take a computerized test it is clear that testing where you live learn and work is more green that driving to an testing center for a single purpose, by yourself.

Is the world flat yet?

Web 2.0, Social networking, Twitter, Skype, RSS feeds, key word density, 24/7 Broadband WiFi connectivity etc. etc. etc. So now what do we do with it? Will Web 2.0 change the way we teach, learn and test people? I think it might. When subject matter experts are no longer employees of the test sponsor but live in the cyber cloud who determines test objectives? Who decides who qualifies. Even Web 2.0 environments have pecking orders and "authorities". The rules of engagement are different though. It seems to me it is a good time for us to rethink things and embrace change.

Nothing must be happening

OK, I admit it. Its been a while - call it blogger guilt. But I am not used to telling you about "what I am doing now" as my new Facebook account urges. Sorry, I guess I am old school that way. Not used to sharing every thought with the faceless universe. But that does not mean nothing has happened worth talking about (re-enter bloggers guilt - oh and there's new years resolution guilt too), actually a lot has been happening in the field of online testing. The jury has come back and said that online testing is secure - yet many are unconvinced. Maybe they are just in another classroom in my same old school... hmm. Technology is only as good as we apply it - and when it actually works of course. But the notion that online testing technology cannot create secure tests is, well, uhm, a little outdated. Whether we use it or not, tests delivered online can be secure and (gasp) even high-stakes. Wow, so why do we hold on to the way things have always been? Is there really security in stagnation? I wonder.