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There are two main forms of e-assessment, e-testing and and the use of e-portfolios. Hardware requirements for both are minimal and investment in high-end PCs is not needed. Pentium 3 (or equivalent) running at 400MHz or above should be adequate, however checks should always be made with your awarding body and/or system supplier. PCs being used for e-testing should also be equipped with a good quality screen set at an appropriate screen resolution, and a sound card with access to headphones when required.
Awarding bodies or their technical partners will offer you guidelines on PC and server specifications specific to their e-testing software. They will also advise if their system allows e-testing to be undertaken remotely using suitable laptops.
Key areas of technology to consider in e-assessment are:
 | Software | | Connectivity and bandwidth | | Data Storage and transfer | | Security | | Accessibility | | Technical Standards |
Software
The awarding body's technology partner usually supplies the e-testing software, and it is simply a matter of installing this on your computers.
With e-portfolios the centre contracts with a supplier for the use of e-portfolio software. It is usual for awarding bodies not to provide the software.
Most e-portfolio software is internet based, runs effectively with a broadband connection, and allows access from any internet enabled PC. E-portfolio software is essentially a sophisticated document management system to which learners, assessors, IVs and EVs have access through a set of predetermined authorities. Some packages offer services akin to a virtual learning environment (VLE) or a managed learning environment (MLE).
Connectivity and bandwidth
Most centres in Northern Ireland now operate on broadband connections to the internet at speeds of 2Mbps, and this is the current benchmark for optimum connectivity. If you are connected at this speed, you are more than ready for e-assessment. As the connection speeds delivered to end-users improves further, even to those in remote areas, bandwidth will increasingly be a non-issue in e-assessment.
Data storage and transfer
The storage and transfer of large amounts of data will be necessary if candidates offer videos or high-quality images as evidence, with consequent large file sizes. In this case, and when an assessor, IV or EV wishes to access evidence from large numbers of candidates, acceptable data transfer capacity will be required.
Security
Security is of prime importance in managing e-assessment.
Centres should already have satisfactory web security in place.
E-testing software should incorporate adequate technology security measures but centres remain responsible, as with paper based tests, for the security of the tests within their centres and for ensuring that the correct candidate takes the test. All e-testing is undertaken in an invigilated environment and awarding bodies will advise their centres of any specific requirement for e-testing.
Other security issues include privacy, confidentiality, authenticity, secure access rights and transfer of data. This is not definitive but provides some examples of what a secure system should offer.
BS 7799 Code of practice for information security management
This British Standard is for those responsible for initiating, implementing or maintaining security in their organisation. BS 7799 provides a common basis for developing security standards and effective security management practice. Part I is the code of practice itself, and Part II is a specification for information security management systems.
Accessibility
Accessibility in assessment is about removing barriers to participation and engagement in assessment so that any learner can demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding. This applies equally to e-assessment as it does to traditional, paper based, assessment.
You need to ensure that you offer learners access to suitable assessment whether using paper or technology. If you have any concerns about the use of e-assessment with particular learners or whether the e-testing or e-portfolio system you are using creates access problems you should discuss these with the awarding body or the e-portfolio supplier.
For further advice about technology related to disability and inclusion contact TechDis.
Technical standards
British Standards offer guidelines and standards for organisations becoming involved in e-assessment. Currently two standards apply in the field. One relates to information security management (see security, above). The other, BS 7988 Code of practice for the use of information technology (IT) in the delivery of assessments, covers technical issues in the delivery of e-assessment.
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