Summary: | This dissertation describes the creation of new and novel electronic assessment systems and the creation of a new generic model of assessment. The electronic assessment systems can be used by more than one teacher or student at any one time. Audio, visual and data recordings (including teachers comments) are immediately stored with student records so they are instantly available anywhere as a resource for monitoring progress and assisting student learning. Research work began by selecting a leading assessment system called ESAAMS Version 2. Although it was possible for that software to be installed on many computers, each instance of the software required its own separate database. New assessment practises in schools required this information to be shared between teachers and students and so it was necessary to investigate the underlying assessment models being used. ESAAMS Version 2 was tested by the author and by teachers, and questionnaires and interviews with teachers were also conducted and used to identify areas that could be improved or expanded. From that, a first new model of assessment was created. A new prototype electronic system called Kumquat was created to implement the first model. Kumquat allowed students to assess their own work and students could also build a portfolio of work. Kumquat was tested by several schools and results were collected and analysed to identify areas of the electronic assessment system that could be further improved or expanded. A second prototype electronic assessment system called Guava was then created from an analysis of feedback from Kumquat users. Further questionnaires were used and other assessment systems were reviewed to create a prototype generic assessment model. Guided by the results from testing the two new electronic assessment systems (Kumquat and Guava), a more focussed literature review was conducted and, from that, a new and final generic model of assessment was created. A third new electronic assessment system called Kiwi was described using the results from the literature searches, the new ideas and results from the two new electronic systems (Kumquat and Guava) and the final generic model of assessment created during the research. Kiwi would allow peer-assessment and more fluid sharing of student assessment information between teachers. Future research work was suggested.
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