Supporting e-assessment in Northern Ireland
Last updated on: 18/07/2008
The work of Ofqual in Northern Ireland during the past year has supported colleges and learning providers in the development of e-assessment within their learning environment. Following the launch and distribution of Top Web, a DVD produced in March 2007 by the Northern Ireland e-assessment team, which highlights and promotes the features of our dedicated e-assessment website www.efutures.org, ongoing support has been provided through workshops, individual meetings with key staff and joint strategic thinking.
This year the work of Ofqual in Northern Ireland will continue to provide guidance and advice for e-assessment across vocational qualifications over the course of the year supporting the Department of Employment’s (DEL) Programme of Work for e-learning.
Part of this programme of work includes workforce development and this year our work will be focused individually on each area based college with a tailored development programme and a series of master-classes to meet their relevant needs.
In addition to the information and guidance provided on the efutures website, our work will investigate the development of an e-assessment toolkit, a practical interactive application which will allow users the opportunity to practice e-assessment, using both e-testing and e-portfolio work as part of the information and guidance process of introducing e-assessment into their organisation.
Over the past 4 years we have carried out research on centres and awarding bodies to ascertain their readiness for e-assessment, this year we propose to conduct research on the learner’s expectations of technology and e-assessment. Details of all out case studies are presented on the efutures website.
We will continue to draw on the experience and practice within the wider sectors and training network to ensure that efutures is an all encompassing website for e-assessment to encourage consistency and collaborative working across colleges and their awarding bodies.
If you require further information on our work over the next year or need specific advice or guidance please contact our office on 028 90330607 or e-mail us at infoni@ofqual.gov.uk