For conducting of electronic tests the Foundation Innove had developed an examination data base (EIS), where the trial of e-tasks solved by such a large number of pupils and of the task-solving environment was conducted for the first time. Comparing to national standardised tests on paper, conducting of e-tests requires schools and teachers to be more flexible and to have a modern computer classroom and digital competences.
Besides the subject knowledge, e-tests also studied pupils’ motivation to solve tasks electronically as well as the question whether the way e-tasks measure acquired competences is different from their measurement by means of tests on paper. A detailed analysis of tasks and tests is being composed, and the suggestions made by the schools are being analyzed.
The schools could choose in which electronic national standardized tests, developed by the Foundation Innove, they were willing to participate. 651 pupils from 31 schools took the e-test in the Estonian language for Form 6. 1035 pupils from 47 schools did the e-test in Mathematics for Form 6. The e-test in the Russian language for Form 6 was chosen by 221 pupils from 10 schools.
Under the agreement between the Foundation Innove and the Ministry of Education and Research, journalists can examine the new national standardised tests and the examination data base, also in person.
Both customary and the new trial national standardized tests aim at providing pupils, teachers and the school community with feedback on acquired skills and the readiness to apply them. Another aim is to gather information about teaching and learning of a subject, i.e. whether any improvements need to be implemented in the curriculum, study materials and teacher training and which improvements they are.
The Foundation Innove and the Ministry of Education and Research emphasize that schools do not have to prepare pupils especially for national standardized tests, and that the aim is not to grade the tests or to compose rankings. A national standardized test is to provide a possibly objective overview of the taught content.
The Foundation Innove is a competency centre in the area of general and vocational education and education support services as well as a mediator of the EU structural aid. The Foundation was established under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Research in 2003.
Anneli Aab
Foundation Innove
Communications Manager
+372 735 0535
