We are already in an age where technology and all things ' e ' are second nature and a part of everyday life, so it stands to reason that this is translated into the teaching and learning environment.
Our college and learning providers provide the opportunities for learners to gain qualifications and enhance their skills base. Using technology to its maximum potential transforms the learning environment allowing for greater flexibility and access at many levels for both the learner and the provider.
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. Much of this support has been provided through individual meetings with key staff within each organisation and joint strategic thinking, delivery of workshops, as well as the production and distribution of Top Web, a DVD which highlights and promotes the features of our dedicated e-assessment website www.efutures.org.
Over the past 3 years our project has determined how prepared awarding bodies and centres were for e-assessment in Northern Ireland and has identified issues or barriers that need to be overcome.
Findings from the research were presented as case studies in DVD format. In general the research showed there was increasing e-assessment activity, but that it was primarily due to individual innovation and there was a lack of strategic guidance.
Further research by the e-assessment team produced a technical report for DEL. It reinforced the initial findings that e-assessment was taking place as a result of a mixture of strategic development and individual innovation, with some organisations being more advanced than others.
As a result we have produced a set of good practice guidelines for centres to support senior managers and staff in their development of an e-assessment vision and a set of policy objectives for their centres.
