Exploring the Challenges and Strategies in Information Technology Based Assessment at School Stage

Assessment of the students' performance forms an integral part of any process of teaching and learning. Reliable and valid assessment is very necessary to provide effective feedback to the students, to increase their level of motivation and self-esteem, to let them know how to improve and to provide remedial teaching, etc. However, all the said purposes will be served only when assessment is regular, active, clear, as well as timely. It involves professional judgment based on evidence and measurement. Since in our country most of the assessment process at school stage is related with the psychological pressure, stress and anxiety felt not only by the students but also their parents, teachers and policy makers and society at large. Hence, specific measures must be taken to ensure reliable, valid, objective and timely assessment of the students at school stage so that all can encompass the bitter and extreme ill consequences and be prepared for entire learning life besides ensuring minimum level of (quality) learning. Though many education commissions, committees and educational policies (Secondary Education Commission, 1952-53; Education Commission, 1964-66; NPE, 1986 and modified NPE, 1992) advocated the reforms in assessment process at school stage, the issue acquired the added significance after the release of NCF, 2005 by NCERT. Various issues related to assessment at school stage have been highlighted along with solutions in the position paper by NCERT (National Focus Group on Examination Reforms). With advancements in information technologies, it is now thought that it would provide solutions to many problems related with the assessment of the students at school stage. Information Technology (IT) based assessment ensures the reliable, valid, objective and timely assessment and can be applied to a wide range in School Assessment Process including various curricular and co-curricular activities. Also, IT based assessment is essential due to the realization of continuous and comprehensive evaluation in real sense as it involves varied aspects of assessment of the students that may not be judged as effectively and objectively as by the use of IT. Secondly assessment needs to be carried out through out the year which involves conduct of assessment including many pre and post assessment activities. But there are a lot of challenges related to it and suitable strategies have to be chalked out to meet those challenges. The present paper explores the challenges and strategies in information technology based assessment at school stage.