Book (2022)/The Role of Testing in Higher Education
The quality of a college or university is closely tied to the quality of its students, which is why institutions of higher education strive to select the best applicants to admit as students. These institutions then work to prepare their students for what they will face in the working world. At the same time, these institutions must assess the effectiveness of the educational process and examine how well-prepared students are for their future roles. Obviously, the success of graduates in practice is the best measure of the effectiveness of education. However, while this metric may be the most objective, the delay between teaching and its evaluation would make it impossible to maintain effective feedback. To be able to measure educational outcomes in a shorter period, we must choose other ways. One of these is the testing of learning outcomes, which, if possible, objectively, reproducibly, and fairly assess the level of achieved knowledge and skills.
- I need to test. How do I go about it?
If you need to begin testing:
- Read this entire book
- Study the essential resources on which this book draws
- Learn to use the statistical language R
… and you’ll never even get around to actual testing.
Overall, the test cycle is a complex process in which you can constantly improve individual steps. You will eventually become a recognized expert in psychometrics. So: if you need to start testing, start now. And you can start just by writing test items. Turn to the chapter in this book that will help you. Your own practical experience will move you forward more than the best theory.
