Explain the difference between an electric page turner and a computer adaptive test. What is the advantages of computer-based screening?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

CBS can be used simply to convert a screening tool from paper to an electronic format that is called an electronic page turner. These types of CBS are low on interactivity and do not take full advantage of technology (Olson-Buchanan, 2002). CAT (computer adaptive testing) presents all applicants with a set of items of average difficulty, and, if responses are correct, items with higher levels of difficulty. If responses are incorrect, items with lower levels of difficulty are presented. CAT uses IRT (see Chapter 6) to estimate an applicant’s level on the underlying trait based on the relative difficulty of the items answered correctly and incorrectly. The potential value-added by computers as screening devices is obvious when one considers that implementation of CAT would be nearly impossible using traditional paper-and-pencil instruments (Olson-Buchanan, 2002). There are several potential advantages of using CBS (Kantrowitz et al., 2011; Olson-Buchanan, 2002). First, administration may be easier. For example, standardization is maximized because there are no human proctors who may give different instructions to different applicants (i.e., computers give instructions consistently to all applicants). Also, responses are recorded and stored automatically, which is a practical advantage, but can also help minimize data-entry errors. Second, applicants can access the test from remote locations, thereby increasing the applicant pool. Third, computers can accommodate applicants with disabilities in a number of ways, particularly since tests can be completed from their own (possibly modified) computers. A modified computer can caption audio-based items for applicants with hearing disabilities, or it can allow applicants with limited hand movement to complete a test. Finally, some preliminary evidence suggests that Web-based assessment does not exacerbate adverse impact.