Computer Adaptive Assessment for Learning in a Virtual Learning Environment

In this project, five European countries are working together on the development of an online learning environment through which students can enhance key information processing skills (literacy, numeracy and problem solving in technology rich environments). This paper regards the numeracy learning unit that uses formative computer adaptive testing to offer learning tasks tailored to the students' ability level. In these formative testing activities students can use hints and feedback to complete the learning tasks. The use of feedback and hints will influence the students' response behavior. Therefore, for estimating the ability accurately, an IRT model will be used in which the use of these hints and feedback are taken into account. The learning modules are piloted with 900 students from Italy, Portugal and Norway.