ACARA has released the following information about NAPLAN Online
Students
will be able to use a wide range of devices, such as laptops,
notebooks, computers and portable tablet devices, on Windows, Mac and
Chrome platforms, when NAPLAN goes online from 2017. Today, (30/10/15),
ACARA has today released minimum technical specifications for devices
to be used for NAPLAN online. For more information, visit the
'Technical requirements' page of the NAP website and see the
NAPLAN online technical requirements supporting document (PDF
98 kb). The specifications also include information on a minimum screen
size required, network capability, supported operating systems, minimum
disk space, security and external equipment, such as a pair of
headphones, keyboard and mouse. ACARA
General Manager, Assessment and Reporting, Dr Stanley Rabinowitz, says
there is still more research around devices that is currently underway.
“We
have released this information as we know some schools may be planning
ahead for NAPLAN online in 2017,” Dr Rabinowitz says. “But there is
still more research we have been doing around devices. For example, we
continue to investigate the use of on-screen keyboards versus external
keyboards for tablet devices. This research may support students who use
on-screen keyboards if that is what they prefer”.
While
NAPLAN online assumes reliable access to the internet, some provisions
will be made, where necessary, for students to complete NAPLAN on
computers without internet or adequate connectivity. This includes the
use of special server software and portable servers in schools.
“One
of the concerns we hear is that a school’s internet connection may not
be able to support all students doing NAPLAN at the same time,” Dr
Rabinowitz says. “We are not expecting all students to do NAPLAN at the
same time, or for schools to have one device for every student. When
NAPLAN moves online, we propose to extend the testing window from three
days to two weeks so students will not be taking NAPLAN at the same
time. The concerns around increased opportunities for cheating are also
unfounded, as NAPLAN online will use tailored testing so students are
not taking the same test at the same time”.
NAPLAN
online will require a locked-down browser or app to prevent students
from having unauthorised access to websites, applications and
spell-checking features during the tests.
“We
understand the issues around security, privacy and, of course, equity;
and we continue to address these through research we have been doing on
the use of devices in the NAPLAN context,” Dr Rabinowitz says. “We will
continue to work with schools, education departments and sector
representatives to develop an appropriate policy around the use of
personal devices”.
About NAPLAN online
Federal,
state and territory education ministers have agreed that NAPLAN will
move online from 2017, over a two–three year period.
State/territory
education authorities (where they exist in a state and territory) will
make decisions about the logistics and timing to move NAPLAN online for
their state/territory. These groups will also lead implementation in
their state/territory.
Advice on implementation and implementation timelines should be sought via the following channels:
- independent schools: relevant school authority (where they exist in a state or territory) and/or from ACARA (info@acara.edu.au)
- Catholic schools: local Catholic education commission
- government
schools: relevant school authority (where they exist in a state or
territory), or department of education in a state or territory.
NAPLAN
online will provide better assessment, more precise results and faster
turnaround of information. Significant planning, development, research
and trialling are going on behind the scenes to make sure we are all
ready to move NAPLAN online.