The use of multimedia in testing: added value or just a fun gadget? The popularity of multimedia in tests is on the rise. But does the use of multimedia such as video or audio clips in tests actually add value? Or is it mainly used to keep up with the times and create ‘state of the art’ tests? The use of multimedia in testing If you use multimedia only because a test has to be fun and modern, it misses the point. There is another, more important reason to use multimedia in testing. A candidate wants to succeed and therefore wants to understand the assignments properly. The use of multimedia directly contributes to this. Added value With multimedia applications, you simply improve the quality of your test. We explain this using three test quality criteria: The test question is relevant (1) and recognisable; The test question is efficient (2) and does not contain unnecessary ballast; The test question is specific, focused and objective (3), there is no discussion about the correct answer. 1. Multimedia and relevance of the test Using pictures, sound clips and videos, you easily increase the relevance of a test question. First of all, you force the author to create questions directly from the professional practice come. If a question is about a subject that hardly ever occurs in professional practice, it is very likely that no visual or audio material can be found or made. Moreover, visual and/or audio material provides the candidate with recognition. This not only contributes to the candidate's self-confidence, but also to the image and thus the acceptance of the test. 2. Multimedia and efficiency of the test In terms of efficiency, the use of multimedia offers by far the greatest added value when it comes to quality assessment. This is especially true when using video material. Writing out a minute of video material results in at least an A4 of text. A waste of time! In addition, a candidate generally understands the question faster if a video is used instead of a written case study. This is nice for everyone, but the added value is even greater for candidates who have difficulty with large chunks of text. By using film clips, at least you can be sure that you are measuring actual understanding of the subject content, not reading comprehension! 3. Multimedia and specificity/objectivity of the test Test questions are frequently introduced by a situation description in the form of a case study. If you want to be complete and comprehensive when writing such a case study, it is almost impossible not to give away (part of) the essence. This is because you have to be very specific in providing information. Suppose you are testing whether a candidate understands what went wrong in a conversation. In that case, it is very difficult to describe a situation in such a way that it is clear what mistake is being made in a conversation, without being explicit. Anything you explain can be a clue to the right answer. The reverse is sometimes true, by the way. By remaining vague, there is a risk of the question being multi-interpretable, which can lead to discussion about the correct answer. The question is in that no longer objectively. The advantages of using multimedia in tests In summary and ‘freely’ translated, there are six advantages to using multimedia in digital testing: Professional practice is incorporated into the question; The situation is recognisable to the candidate; Little explanation is needed, after all, a picture says more than 1,000 words; Seeing or hearing, rather than reading comprehension; No unintentional references to the correct answer; Safeguarding objectivity. Conclusion - when do you apply multimedia in testing? Given the number of benefits it is a good idea, if the software allows it, to use multimedia in your tests. This becomes especially important if you want to explain a rich vocational context and do not want to risk inadvertently giving away the right answer by giving too much explanation. The importance of multimedia testing is even greater for candidates who struggle with reading comprehension. In conclusion, then, multimedia offers absolute added value, provided the applications are used with the candidate in mind.
