Takeaways about on-line assessments [Blogpost 119]

Further to last week’s blogpost, Admissions in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am sharing some takeaways - based on my experiences over the last few weeks - about administering on-line assessments.

As much as in-person, on-site assessments are - in many respects - preferable, prospective families are most appreciative that during these challenging times, we are able to move forwards with the admissions process and administer assessments on-line.

Some observations of administering on-line assessments:

• Despite assessing on-line with a total stranger is (especially for elementary students) a little unusual, my observations thus far is that they may actually feel a little more comfortable with the set up in terms of being in their own home and parents present for the initial set up.
  

• The other day, while assessing a student for Grade One, the father stayed present for much of the assessment. It was wonderful to see/hear him supporting his son. He did not put pressure on his son to get the right answer, but merely repeated my question or asked his son to re-read the questions, double check his answer - akin to the support that happens in our classrooms on a daily basis. Had I done the assessment on campus, I would not have seen this as we administer assessments 1:1 (the exception being for a child who is struggling linguistically and the parent is asked to assist to explain/interpret or if the child is upset and needs some emotional support). It was evident that the way in which the son responded and the dad’s approach to education is in line with our school’s philosophy and further reinforced my belief that this family is a good fit for our school.
  

• Rather than only assessing prospective students during office hours, I am - by flexing my hours - able to accommodate (i) time difference and (ii) schedule assessments (for those prospective students engaged in virtual learning) to occur after their current school’s e-learning hours.
  

• We are aware that there is much uncertainty in terms of not just when the family will relocate (due to restrictions here in Malaysia, in current location and, most often, guidelines issued by their own companies and governments), but if - as the economic impact reverberates - the relocation will actually move forwards. We are constantly mindful that moving countries and joining a new school can be exciting and can also cause students to feel nervous as they start to think about being in a new country (especially if this will be their first time overseas) and learning environment. We are especially aware that these feelings of uncertainty are, of course, magnified when we have a wide range of restrictions in place around the world. Thus, by being able to move ahead more quickly, we are able to reduce the pressure on families as they prepare to relocate/the possibility of relocating.
  

• Having the technology (I have been using Zoom/Google Meet) to be able to see/hear, share screens, and send files in realtime is truly amazing. I do not believe that, even five years ago, we would have been able to administer virtual on-line assessments for prospective families around the world with such ease.

Based on positive experiences with on-line assessments thus far, I certainly see - once the Restricted Movement Order in Malaysia and worldwide travel restrictions lifted - us offering both on-site and on-line assessments as part of our standard practice.

Stay safe, stay well!

• Resources: On-line testing clipart