Trends in computer applications in science assessment

Evaluation of Science and Technology Education at the Dawn of a New Millennium

“…In a simulated environment students are involved in a cyclical process of hypothesis testing and refining and the re-interpretation of observations: computers can track these processes and assist teachers in the analysis of problem-solving and thinking processes. Kumar and Helgeson (1995) detail the different types of computer use for science assessment and are optimistic that one of the promising areas for development is in the area of "solution pathway analysis" which permits the analysis of the steps a student takes in solving a problem. They note that computers offer an environment for "developing systems for assessing nonlinear problem-solving tasks.…”