Technology-Enabled Assessment of Health Professions Education*

This chapter outlines a specific research agenda related to technology-enabled assessment. It explores change as a defining attribute of technology, the increasingly ubiquitous presence of technology in health professions education, and current applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in assessment. Although the use of ICT in assessment is not new, major developments of technology in health profession education assessment are largely centered on computer-based assessment, use of simulation, and management of assessment processes. Many technology-based assessments attempt to emulate real-life experiences. The educators implementing a new assessment technology will often be interested in evaluating the performance of the technology itself. Validity and reliability are linked to the fidelity of representation of clinical contexts and candidates’ actions within technology-enhanced assessment. While research concerning the validity and reliability of assessment scores is paramount, technological advancements in test delivery, test construction, and simulation for assessment also provide other opportunities for targeted studies.