1. Introduction to Assessment and Digital Assessment

1.1. Assessment

In the learning process assessment plays a very important role and is at the center of the learning processes. Assessment provides evidences of learning as well as identifies learners' progress and demonstrates understanding of the curriculum. Assessment could be described as the process by which Education appraises the knowledge, understanding and skills of its students.

 

There are a lot of new and innovative assessment methods that emphasize the learning process along with the learning outcomes. An activity-based assessment is emphasized around the world. The development of information and communication technologies has opened up many opportunities to assess students learning process and to provide feedback (See at: http://www.riemysore.ac.in/ict/unit__9__ict_in_assessment.html).

Assessment is defined as “any processes that appraise an individual’s knowledge, understanding, abilities or skills. There are many different forms of assessment, serving a variety of purposes” (QAA Quality Code (2012), Chapter B6). Those purposes include:

  • Encouraging students learning by giving feedback to the student, usually in order to improve students’ performance;

  • Assessing students' knowledge, understanding or skills;

  • A mark or degree is given to determine the student's performance and can also be used to make decisions about students’ progress;

  • To enable the public and higher education institutions to understand that a person has achieved a certain level of achievement that reflects to academic standards set by a higher education or awarding institution.

To sum up, it can be said that assessment is a general process that measure student's learning outcomes, also skills and knowledges that are gained in learning process (QAA Code of Practice for Academic Quality and Standards of Higher Education 2000). The assessment involves a variety of methods and tools for assessing, evaluating and documenting students learning. Assessment in general helps to improve learning and establishes the process of lifelong learning.