Week 13
Computer-Based Language Testing

This week, we have discussed how computers are used for language testing. We know that technology nowadays makes many things a lot easier. I think it also works for testing. There are definitely great advantages that computers provide for testing and assessment. We have discussed its benefits over traditional methods of testing and it seems like there are many of them which encourages institutions and high-stakes testing services to incorporate computer-based testing. It is definitely a lot more practical to conduct a test through the use of computers. It is easier to collect the data. It can also provide advantages for listening and speaking skills in terms of practicality since you do not have to hire people to do interviews with students one-one-one. For these reasons, it will be time and money saving for institutions.

However, there are still some problems with computer-based language testing. These are usually related to technical problems while taking the test. The computers might not work, there may be internet-related problems which will prevent students to take the test or maybe affect their motivation causing anxiety. Another problem is about the computer using skills of the test-takers. Nowadays, although computers are common and majority of the students are familiar with using them. There could be still some test-takers who do not have enough experience using computers. Or we talked about the keyboards in our class discussion and how even different keyboards can possibly create problems for test-takers.

Still, other than these technical problems, I find computer-based language testing effective in many situations and they seem to dominate all different types of testing.