The last few decades have brought about significant advances in technology, especially in the domain of computer technology. Due to these technological advances, computer-assisted psychological assessment (CAPA) is replacing paper-and-pencil as the norm for psychological testing (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman, 2013). These psychological tests can be purchased on discs that can be administered and scored online. These online tests provide relative simplicity and convenience when testing individuals, as well as provide a large range of testing activities (Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman, 2013). Although computerized testing provides many advantages, there are also major issues credited with the testing programs. One issue is access to test administration, …show more content…
One benefit to computerized testing is that it allows for a school psychologist to administer these tests to students in a familiar environment where the student may feel more comfortable. When a school psychologist administers these tests in an office, the child may feel uncomfortable and anxious, and may, in turn, end up testing poorly. If the school psychologist can bring the child to a familiar setting (ie the library), the child will feel less anxious and, hopefully, test better. Another benefit to computerized testing is it enhances testing administration and scoring. Each test taker receives an identical presentation of the tests and instructions, whereas with a paper-and-pencil test administration, the presentations from student to student can vary unknowingly by the school psychologist. Through the use of computerized testing, the standardization of the test administration reduces the probability of error when compared to paper-and-pencil …show more content…
When taking a computerized test, the information is stored on the computer. Paper-and-pencil tests and scores are typically kept under lock and key in a locked office of some sort, whereas these computerized tests and scores are available on a computer once the computer is turned on. There may be a password required to initially log on, but once that is done, it is very easy for a person to access scores and tests. This would breach a client’s confidentiality, thus breaching laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), and other laws in place to protect confidentiality and
Since this test has been devised, the number one question everybody is asking is, “ isn’t it unfair to base a student’s entire future on one test, when he or she simply could have had a bad day when taking the test”? The president Kirk T. Schroder of the Virginia Board of Education, answer this question by saying, “First of all, these tests are untimed, so no student is under arbitrary time pressure in taking the test.
Butcher, James N. "Assessment in Clinical Psychology: A Perspective on the Past, Present Challenges, and Future Prospects." Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 13(3)(2006): 205-209.
Even though we don’t face such an issue since the test-makers are trying to be as culturally neutral as possible when they are making the tests, like being careful with their wording etc., but they are other problems that are still present. Some of the common standard test are the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT). To its supporters, standardized testing is the pre-eminent way. In addition it is also an inexpensive way to assess the capabilities of the students, how well the teachers teach, and to decide where a school does stands in terms of its achievement. Furthermore they are deemed as the fairest form of assessment and can...
There are many issues one might face when about to take a test, some students may "have something major interfering with their ability to focus, may miss or not perform well" (Baxter,Mella). No test score can show what that kid has been through, over come, or is going through at the time of the test. There is also no way to show how many hours each student studied. Just because a student does not perform well on one test, should not foreshadow their future.
Standardized testing is a down fall to many students but also an opportunity for many others. Standardized testing has its pros and its cons. It can be the make it or break it factor into getting into colleges you are hoping to attend or the scholarships you want to earn. Some people may have their opinions about the test, whether they hate it or not but the fact is that it’s here to stay.
In the contemporary American education system high-stakes standardized testing has resulted in a focus on extensive test preparation, as well as a large increase in the numbers of teachers cheating by alternating their students' test scores. Both these phenomena are a direct consequence of the incentives and punishments directly linked to standardized test results.
Standardized testing has taken over the education realm and led to a shift in the institutional goals and values of education. In the last 40 years, standardized exams have changed; they were once used to determine the learning level of students, but now they are being used to determine the teacher’s ability. Standardized tests do not measure education quality and are incorrectly used, leading to the wrongful evaluation of teachers and the limiting of education for students by schools.
It can be said that there are numerous tests that have been created by psychologists all over the world, but of all those tests how many are as unique as the Millon? Through rigorous research and reading I have selected the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III test. The Millon Clinical Multiaxical Inventory (3rded: MCMI-III) is a widely used psychological assessment of clinical and personality disorders (Grove, W. M., 2009). This test, now on its 3rd edition, has embodied several innovative ideas in personality and psychopathology assessment (Grove, 2003). Moving in-between the 3rd and 4th editions was a once in a lifetime opportunity and amazing learning experience. Through analysis of the MCMI-III manual and other sources this test can be explained and examined in depth helping to better understand this influential psychological assessment tool.
Standardized tests have been a part of American education since the mid-1800s. Another form was seen in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a short-lived competency test (Linn 3). Horace Mann developed a test to administer to a group of students in the 1800s, his intentions were to make judgments about how the student was doing at their current level and determine if they would be capable of advancing to a higher level. Testing has changed in many ways since it first appeared with the beginning of public education led by Horace Mann. “The purposes of standardized testing have gone from an equalizer of opportunity to a tool of segregation used separate socio-economic status, wealth, and privilege” (Holmes 2).
In the United States of America, Standardized testing has become a way of life for students and children, especially in public schools. Many argue that standardized testing does not measure the students as a whole, takes up valuable classroom time, and creates drastic mental health problems in students and teachers. In recent years, a controversy surrounding the idea of standardized testing has been brought forth as something that needs to be changed or adapted to the growing needs of today’s students and this can be examined when exploring the negative effects, the testing has had on society’s future.
Cohen, R. J., Swerdlik, M. E., & Sturman, E. D. (2013). Psychological Testing and Assessment. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Standardized testing is a simple definition is an assessment. The definition of assessment is a grouped examination of skills and talents about students. When society say the tests will be standardized, this means the certain group and type of students will all take the same test and be counted and investigated the same way. According to Joe when the test scores come in they are compared to students in their school and also schools worldwide to see how they did and compared to other students with the same grade. The standardized test requires everyone taking the test to answer the same question or something very similar to it, so it is fair. Every student is scored in a reliable way then it makes it possible to compare how students do.
The first advantage would be teachers embracing tech in the classroom.Teachers embrace tech as a teaching tool in a way the students will understand.According to Eric board when students took an assignment of translating passages of Othello into other dialects,some students used the texting dialect,”resulting in some very interesting dialogue between lago and othello.The kind of technology teachers are embracing on are high tech calculators,Ipads,smartboards,and a variety of sites.Today’s high tech calculators don’t just calculate certain equations but also graph equations,how to find the greatest common factor,and even get a larger view or smaller view of the graph.The use of ipads in the classroom is useful for both the teacher and the student. For the students the ipad can give them some hints on the problem their solving and maybe even keep a record of their grades that certain student has so they can easily check up on them at any time. While for the teachers they can easily set up tests and quizzes and even grade assignments quickly and effecently.Although some teachers still use regular boards,most teachers use smart boards to teach. These boards are like ordinary boards except these are controlled by remote control pen.By just clicking on the board questions can be written...
student will be able to maintain focus for much longer. Computers also enable students to learn
Ravitch, Diane “In Defense of Testing.” Forming a Critical Perspective, Ed, Ann Spurlock. 1st. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2010. 194-195. Print.