iTest: Online Assessment and Self-Assessment in Mathematics

Purpose: This paper aims to describe the activities designed and conducted with primary school, secondary school and university students to study the integration of alternative assessment and self-assessment online tools in mathematics courses using iTest. iTest is an educational software tool born to support the continuous evaluation system promoted by the European Space for Higher Education (ESHE). Design/methodology/approach: To cyclically design, implement and analyze the results of the activities a design-based research methodology was followed which also facilitates the collaboration between researchers and teachers. Findings: Students and Professors involved in the activities had positive attitudes towards the practical use of the tool. It was detected that iTest offers a good testing tool for units that focus on skills and procedural development as well as for units that are problem-based and require visualization and manipulation of the geometric representation. Originality/value: iTest is found to be an appropriate complementary software for evaluation in the ESHE. After all the experiences described in this paper, it is now possible to begin the design of a virtual learning environment for mathematics implementing iTest as the assessment and self-assessment tool. (Contains 7 figures.)