The average US student takes more than 400 tests from pre-kindergarten all the way to high school. Of those exams, over 100 are mandatory standardized tests.
All that shows how much work it takes for learners to attain student success. However, an effective education system is just as reliant on educators. After all, teachers have the responsibility of spreading knowledge to their students.
Fortunately, online assessment tools can help enhance learning outside of classroom walls. This guide lists the key ways how such education technology helps students, so be sure to read on.
A Key Element of Distance Learning
In 2018, 33.1% of US college students enrolled in at least one online course. That proves digital educational platforms were already in use before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fast forward to March 2021, and many educational institutions in the US have reopened. However, over half of fourth- and eighth-graders still didn’t have full-time in-person classes. Moreover, some of those who didn’t go to their actual schools opted for online classes.
With that said, online assessment allows for the continuity of education, in or out of school. For example, teachers can use assessment software to create exams, quizzes, and homework. Students can then complete these tasks right in the comfort and safety of their homes.
Fewer Health Concerns May Help Students Focus Better
In the first few months of the COVID pandemic, children ages 0 to 19 had the lowest infection rate (10.8%). By contrast, young adults between 20 and 29 years had the highest rate (20.2%) across all age groups.
Those figures prove that no matter the age, everyone is at risk of contracting the virus. While kids are less likely to, that doesn’t mean they have zero risks; no, they can still develop illnesses. This is one of the reasons many parents are hesitant to send their kids back to the classroom.
Those risks, in turn, can make students themselves worry about their safety in school. They may feel so stressed to the point that they may no longer be able to concentrate on their classes. This can then lead to their academic performance and grades plummeting.
Remote learning, paired with online assessment tools, can help cut those risks. Students can stay at home, away from crowds, to receive online education and take tests. This can then help them worry and stress out less, so they may find it easier to focus on their classes.
A Faster Way to Grade Exams and Give Feedback
One study revealed that instructors spend almost 12.7 hours per week on a single online course. Grading and feedback account for 40% of that time, which sums up to five hours a week for one online course. By contrast, teachers spent less time on discussions, which only account for 30% of that time.
So, imagine how much more time educators who use manual methods need to grade and give feedback. It can take them days or even weeks, especially if they have heavy teaching loads.
However, instructors can’t just skip giving feedback, as they are crucial educational tools. Without feedback, learners won’t know their academic standing and how they’re doing. They also won’t have an idea of what they need to improve upon.
The good news is that online assessment tools automate the marking and scoring of tests. Such e-learning software makes it easier to grade exams and release results faster. This then gives students time to learn more about the areas of a subject they need to pay closer attention to.
Tests Tailored to Specific Students
Online assessment tools also allow educators to create student-specific tests. Teachers may do this for learners who require more supervision. The tools will also help instructors spend less time making and grading the tailored exams.
In turn, the test-takers can benefit by taking exams on subjects they need to do better on.
More Accessible
Online assessment tools come with accessibility features made for students with disabilities. For example, students who have vision problems can enlarge the font to see the text better. They can also tweak their device’s settings to fit their special needs.
What’s more, such tools are often accessible via different devices. For instance, students can take exams based on the device available to them. They can use their smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Some digital assessment tools also come with listen-to-text technology. Instead of reading what’s on the screen, students can instead listen to a voice that reads the text for them. That makes listen-to-text another nifty feature for students who may have vision concerns.
Another useful feature of online assessment tools is speech recognition. With this, students can speak out their answers to an exam or homework instead of typing it out. The speech software will then translate it into digital format.
Teachers can add extra timers to the tests of students with special needs, too. They can also adjust the exams of learners with special considerations.
Option to Supervise the Assessment
Online assessment tools let teachers use video to monitor exams and quizzes. This allows them to supervise their students as the learners take the tests. So, in a way, it helps lower the risks of fraud or cheating.
More than that, supervised assessments give teachers and students some face-to-face time together. The only difference is that there’s a screen between them, so it’s still safer.
Online Assessment Tools Can Benefit Today’s Students
As you can see, online assessment tools benefit not only students but teachers, too. Students can take exams and assignments anywhere, and they can get graded right away. Teachers, in turn, can spend less time making tests yet still provide key feedback.
All that makes such education technology valuable to educators and students alike.
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