Online tests are popular with many school districts. Previously, a comparative study of students of equal stature, show the higher score on the written test.
The Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers states discrepancies in scores across different formats of exams. Such patterns on higher scores were found in English/language arts and upper-grades math. However, the results may lie in a student and system readiness for technology. Similarly, results lie in the legibility of a student’s handwriting.
Students that are technologically savvy naturally score higher on a computer test. Therefore, students that do not have much exposure to technology will score lower on a computer based tests. As the focus is on the process and not the result, the result will suffer. In addition, handwriting fluency and legibility plays a part in scoring on written test. Less legible tests score low.
Getting Good Scores
Handwriting
A study by Dr. Laura Dinehart indicates students with good handwriting grades in the early years of school get better grades. Also, they get better scores on standardized tests.
Other studies show a relationship among reading, writing and math when students aren’t exposed to handwriting instruction.
Subsequently, students with more handwriting experiences than computer skills perform better with paper and pencil tests. A student with little computer skills does not allow students to get their thoughts down fast enough. While searching for the keys to type an idea, the memory is taxed. Therefore, the focus becomes the typing process and not the content process.
Computer Based
Students with no fear of a computer and keyboard are more able to write thoughts faster. However, one study shows low and middle performing students do not benefit from taking an exam on the computer. Keyboarding and word-processing skills generally play a role in low scores.
Choices
Schools must have a choice of computer based tests or paper and pencil. In fact, students must have that choice. Students uncomfortable with technology need to take a paper and pencil test. Thus, allowing them to think through the writing process. Students with computer skills must take the test on the computer in order to work efficiently and productively as they write the content necessary.
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