Description

Brief Description

Despite advances in technology, educational assessments in many contexts still rely heavily on conventional multiple choice formats and classical scoring practices which have seen little evolution over in this millennium. Most of the change is visible only in terms of computer-based delivery to simplify operational stuff. The exponential growth in computing power and digital capabilities have enormous potential to transform assessment practices and therefore validity of associated decisions. This masterclass will explore the advancements in assessment innovation, highlighting how technology is reshaping assessment design and development, delivery, scoring methods, and score interpretations. Participants will gain insights into methodologies such as automated item generation, computerized adaptive testing (CAT), and psychometric forensics. The session will also delve into technologically enhanced assessments, simulations, gamified assessments, and performance-based tasks—tools designed to better capture complex student competencies. Emphasis will be placed on innovations within large-scale assessments, equating strategies, and modern measurement models that support valid, reliable, and equitable assessment outcomes in the digital age.

Date and Time: Saturday, June 21st, 2025, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm (IST)

Pre- Requisite(s): None

Target Audience: Academicians, practitioners

Key Objective(s):

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Critically examine the limitations of traditional assessment models and articulate the need for transforming assessment practices in light of technological advancements.
• Explore and evaluate innovations in assessment development and scoring, and understand their implications for validity, reliability, and fairness in large-scale assessments.
• Understand contemporary psychometric techniques including equating designs and forensic data analysis to enhance the accuracy, comparability, and integrity of assessment results.
  

Instructor: Dr. Priyanka Sharma

PhD Director,

Research and Assessment Australian Council for Educational Research (India)

Brief Bio

Dr. Priyanka Sharma is Director, Research and Assessment at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) India. In this role, she provides intellectual leadership and expert guidance to stakeholders and leads different educational assessments, monitoring, and research programs of ACER India in the South Asia region and beyond. Dr. Sharma has been associated with several critical programmes shaping the education landscape in India and South Asia. She has led several vital projects like national Student Assessment of Bangladesh, examination reforms in Nepal, School Certification Programme in Madhya Pradesh, technical support for establishing the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) under the Directorate of Education. As Senior Advisor at the National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and earlier as the Research Head at the Centre for Assessment Evaluation and Research (CAER) at CBSE, he has significantly influenced assessment practices in India. Her prior roles include Principal Scientist at Khan Academy, Country lead of Efficacy and Research at Pearson, Test Development Manager at COE-India, Pearson Assessment centre, USA and Assessment Specialist at Azim Premji Foundation.

Her interest and expertise lie in policy research related to educational measurement and psychometrics, competency-based education, and designing services delivering on learning outcomes.