Knowledge assessment systems: an overview

The paper gives on overview of computer-assisted assessment systems. The general definition of computer-assisted assessment is provided and the application of objective and subjective testing systems is described. Moreover, advantages and drawbacks related both to computer-assisted assessment in general and to objective and subjective testing systems in particular are identified. The overall architecture of a computer-assisted assessment system in terms of components, their functions and interaction is presented. The necessity to provide intelligent and adaptive support in computer-assisted assessment systems is stated and kinds of the mentioned support in existent systems are described. Special attention is devoted to the student model that is used with the aim to adapt the system to the needs of a specific user. The basic kinds of information stored in the student model and their sources are defined, as well as the available classifications of the student model on the basis of different criteria are summarized. The paper also provides information on intelligent and adaptive support in the concept map based knowledge assessment system that has been developed at Riga Technical University, as well as identifies further development directions of the mentioned system.