Online NAPLAN testing better for students

02 Sep 2015 Media release

Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP has welcomed research which indicates that students have responded well to online NAPLAN testing rather than paper based.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) findings released today show the outcomes from three research activities related to NAPLAN online.

Under the National Assessment Surveys Online Programme (NASOP) the Australian Government provided $9.2 million to ACARA undertake comprehensive research to underpin the development of NAPLAN online.

Mr Pyne said the initial research released by ACARA today shows students across all year groups engaged well with online assessments.

“Students who participated in the research have told us is that the online assessment was more engaging than paper-based NAPLAN and they found typing their responses to be easier for them when they had to change and correct answers,” Mr Pyne said.

“ACARA will continue to further refine assessment items based on these findings, and further research they are undertaking.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that the transition to NAPLAN online from 2017 will be based on solid evidence and research.”

NAPLAN assesses the capabilities of over 1.1 million students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in five key areas of foundational skills: reading, persuasive writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

“Literacy and numeracy are essential skills for students to master. NAPLAN online will give a much more accurate picture of students’ strengths and weaknesses in these areas, which will allow teachers to develop more targeted ways to help kids improve,” Mr Pyne said.