Establishing acceptance and support for digital assessment

Digital assessment offers both challenges and opportunities. Moving to a digital testing system extends beyond just implementing new technology; you are creating a completely new method of knowledge verification and certification. The big issue is: how do you generate support for this change and convince all stakeholders of the benefits? With 30 years of experience in digital assessment, we are happy to share some insights.

Stakeholder analysis: identifying and understanding stakeholders

Before you start implementing digital assessment, it is important to identify who the stakeholders are. From candidates and item constructors to managers and IT staff; everyone has a voice. These groups have different needs and concerns, and it is critical to understand them.

Effective communication: explain the benefits of digital assessment

If you want to get people on board with change, you need to be able to explain why the change is necessary. So think about, what benefits digital assessment will provide for your organization. Is it efficiency by automating things through convenient workflow management, for example? A better and more qualitative form of test construction or test taking? A lower administrative burden? Make sure you communicate these benefits clearly and attractively to every relevant stakeholder.

Just the right test platform: make sure there is a good match

A crucial consideration in creating support for digital assessment is choosing the right assessment platform. Not every platform is right for your particular organization or needs. Look for a platform that is not only reliable and secure, but also offers enough flexibility and scalability to meet your specific requirements. Whether it’s for certain reporting needs, integration with existing (LMS) systems or certain accessibility options (such as declaration).

Training and support: the key to adoption

Working with a (new) digital testing platform can sound overwhelming at first. This is especially true for people who are less technically savvy. By offering targeted training and support, you can ensure that everyone feels comfortable with the new system and can be up and running with it in no time.

Involvement in decision-making: create ownership

Make sure you involve relevant stakeholders – from exam designers to exam candidates – in decision-making around the digital assessment process. Involve them in designing this process, let them give feedback and take suggestions seriously. This way you create a sense of ownership, which only increases the ultimate support.

Pilot projects: the value of trial runs

Before fully implementing the digital assessment process, it’s smart to run a pilot. In our previously written blog (“phased implementation of  digital assessment“), we already distinguished three types of pilots that can help you do this. This way you can identify and solve any problems early on. Moreover, such a pilot project can be a valuable example to show how digital assessment works in practice!

Tip. For example, do you have multiple examination lines? Then consider introducing digital assessment incrementally and make the choice to start with only one of the exam lines.

Feedback iterations: learning and improving

As with any new system, there will be room for improvement in digital assessment. But that’s part of it, as long as you learn and improve and continue to strive for the ultimate assessment experience. Create mechanisms to regularly collect and implement feedback so that you continue to continuously improve the process.

Short- and long-term benefits: quick wins and long-term goals

Don’t just emphasize the big, long-term benefits of digital assessment. Instead, be sure to also make the small, quick wins transparent and share them with your team. Perhaps the process of test construction is visibly more efficient soon, or exam candidates get to see their results faster. Sharing these quick wins can be a great motivator.

Partner in digital assessment

With 30 years of experience in the (digital) testing and examination market, Optimum Assessment has already successfully assisted many organizations in the transition to digital assessment. Our in-house expertise goes beyond just delivering software. We offer both technical knowledge about the implementation of digital assessment and assessment knowledge about test design and analysis.

A successful, digital future of testing

Switching to digital assessment can be a challenging process. But by creating support, properly preparing your organization and choosing the right platform, you can make the transition smooth and successful. Want to know more about this? Then contact us.