NCEA assessments are about to hit the digital age in Otago, with a dozen schools participating in a nationwide trial of a computer-based maths assessment later this year.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has confirmed it will include about 13,000 pupils from 146 New Zealand schools in what will be the second computer-based pilot scheme, but the first in which results will count towards NCEA level 1.
NZQA deputy chief executive assessment Richard Thornton said the pilot assessment would be run in conjunction with Education Perfect Ltd, and would be held on two dates - September 8 and 10.
Pupils sitting the computer-based assessment would also sit a paper-based assessment, with their highest mark counting towards NCEA.
''We are delighted by the strong response from schools and students, and are very pleased that so many want to participate.
''This will give NZQA a much better understanding of how best to run computer-based assessments.
''It will also give students the opportunity to experience assessments in a digital environment, and enable schools to test this method of assessment.''
Mr Thornton said it was a positive move towards developing digital assessment for all relevant subjects, with the end goal that assessments would be on line, accessible anytime, and eventually anywhere.
He said the assessment was the second consecutive year that NZQA had tested digital assessments with pupils, with both trials based on the external Maths Common Assessment Task.
The 2014 trial involved 27 schools and 2470 pupils.
''Building on the learnings from last year, the 2015 pilot will be used to evaluate the method of assessment delivery and assessment marking, and whether both meet best assessment practice.''
Feedback from the pupils and teachers would be used to inform future work on digital assessments, he said.
