The Use of New Technologies in Educational Assessments: Reading in a digital world

Abstract

Being a proficient reader in a digital world requires a strong reading foundation, but also the ability to think critically, which is a challenge for many students in Spain. Computerized adaptive tests and process data (information about students’ actions when responding to the test) are especially important when assessing skills such as reading. This work aims to analyze how the use of technology is changing the concept of reading and the ways to evaluate it. This has implications for Spanish students and any professional in charge of interpreting and designing educational assessments. The researcher must ensure that the use of data and technology is adequate for the purposes of the assessment and that it works in a reliable, valid, and fair way for the people involved, but also the user must know when, how, and for what purposes to use the data.