KEYNOTE SPEAKER - GRAHAM HUDSON
Graham Hudson is a distinguished UK-based assessment consultant who has worked extensively for national examination boards and government agencies on managing and modernising examination systems. His career covers many milestones in educational and assessment reforms in the UK, including the introduction of GCSE examinations, national curriculum reforms and re-structuring A‑levels. He has delivered significant national marking programmes, undertaken nationally-funded research into the use of technology in assessment and introduced one of the first systems in the UK to scan examination scripts and mark from image. Latterly he has specialised in supporting business development for organisations and enabling the transition from paper-based assessment to digital delivery for many national and professional organisations. He has travelled extensively to promote and implement e-assessment solutions. He will speak from his long-standing experience in this arena.
Keynote Session
GEN-Z, Learning and Assessment – is the time right for change?
Napoleon Hill, American author, is quoted as saying “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” Nothing is more true in the field of learning and assessment than for our GEN-Z students now. For too long governments and institutions have chosen not to take advantage of the growth of technology in enabling learning and assessment. This procrastination has led to a post-pandemic crisis of learning loss and frustration.
It need not be like that. We will explore in this keynote why assessment is important to learning and why we must take action now. We will start from first principles and build the case for improving the validity, reliability and scalability of assessment-supported learning and how technology has enabled step-changes in access and improved approaches. Examples of the application of technology-enabled assessments from the fields of language development to medicine will be included – together with how this can influence classroom practice. It will be a tour of the field of practice with take-aways for all attending.
Spotlight Session
Why Technology-Enhanced Assessments (TEAs)
are Critical for our GEN-Z Students – a closer look
Our GEN-Z learners know of no other communication and learning environment apart from that supported by the use of technology. Children are more used to ‘swiping’ than ‘turning’ pages! As educators, it is our responsibility to create the best environment for learning, which includes motivation and engagement. Not making use of digital tools now would be a betrayal of our students. The workshop will explore examples of the uses of technology in learning and assessment. We will look at several key themes, including:
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Choices of digital applications to support learning and progress
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How adaptive testing is supporting classroom practice
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Uses of comparative judgement in to support formative assessments
Example of good practice will be drawn from a range of countries, contexts and age groups. There will be an opportunity to consider where such approaches could enhance your classroom practices and for you to identify any current blockers to progress.