The last day of 45th International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) Annual Conference organized by the State Examination Center of Azerbaijan was marked by a number of interesting sessions and discussions.
Today, conference featured sessions focusing on the topics “Decision making”, “Technology”, “Assessment reforms”, “Regional progress” and “Classroom Assessment”. Scientists, experts, specialists from different countries made following presentations and exchanged views: “The role of PPMR in engaging and inspiring learners to make better decision in upper forms streaming”, “Promoting assessment as a tool for effective and collaborative teaching and learning in special education at primary school level”, “Exploring educators’ views on professional deficits in education quality assessment” and “Online testing for classroom and self-assessment”. Lectures on education and assessment in Azerbaijan, Israel, Kazakhstan, Iran, Guyana and Kenya were also heard in the sessions.
In “Decision making” session, Parviz Kazimov and Mahammad Adigozalov from the State Examination Center of Azerbaijan delivered their presentation on the topic “Producing add-on data for individual decision-making and training programs”. It was informed that the knowledge and skills of individuals at various levels of education, as well as in the civil service are assessed through various tools and methods. This assessment is important for them to make decisions about their own education and career plans. The presentation included analysis and interpretation of data derived from examination results and social and psychological studies, as well as detailed description of training programs carried out by SEC and its partners to support personal motivation, decision-making and career building.
In “Technology” session, joint research presentation on the topic “Intellectual system of processing and assessment of the results of the test exams” was delivered by Elshan Mustafayev (Institute of Control Systems of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences,) Chingiz Khalilov and by Ilgar Mahmudov (State Examination Center of Azerbaijan). The presentation described the developed system, used in processing the results of mass exams, which showed the ability for reliable, rapid and objective assessment. It was noted that, in order to increase recognition speed, parallel form processing is used. For this purpose the multithreading properties of modern processors are used to parallelize the processing and recognition processes.
In “Regional progress” session, Sarkhan Aghayev from State Examination Center of Azerbaijan delivered presentation on the topic “Development history and future of Civil Service selection exams in Azerbaijan”. The presentation provided a comparative analysis of civil service admissions examinations, including a pre-test period. In addition to providing transparency in civil service recruitment process, preliminary information on future examinations was also provided.
In “Classroom Assessment” session, IAEA President Dr. Randy Bennett made his presentation on the topic “Integrating measurement principles into formative assessment”. Session covered discussions and proposals around the topic.
Final session followed by the closing ceremony and conference Rapporteur Dennis Opposs shared his general notes on the forum.
Speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the State Examination Center Maleyka Abbaszade noted that the conference was attended by 300 experts from 55 countries and 116 speakers from 43 countries. She said the conference reached its goal and expressed her hope that the research thesises and exchange of views presented at the conference will contribute to further improvement of assessment practice. She added that this year's conference is also a direction for new cooperations among its participants in relevant areas. In the end, Maleyka Abbaszade thanked the keynote speakers, board members, organizational committee, sponsors and the official media partner Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC).
In the end of the conference, it was announced that the 46th International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) Annual Conference will be held in 2020 in Ghana and presentation was made in this regard.
Note that, the 45th International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) Annual Conference “Assessment and Decision Making: Individual and Institutional Solutions” brings together more than 300 delegates from 55 countries. Being a permanent member of the organization, the State Examination Center (SEC) closely cooperates with IAEA on establishment of international cooperation in the field of educational assessment and attend its events regularly. The IAEA has been holding such conferences every year since 1975. Azerbaijan was the first CIS country to host IAEA conference in 2007.
Note: Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) is the official media partner of the State Examination Center in covering the IAEA 2019.