Testing, assessment and evaluation in an online environment: a case study of tertiary ESP courses

Abstract

Modern technologies have irreversibly changed the educational process. Numerous virtual learning environments (VLEs), learning management systems (LMSs), communication platforms and other software tools not only enable easier communication and content sharing, but can also be used in measuring students’ achievement at almost all levels of education. This paper presents the use of software tools and platforms for testing, assessing and evaluating students’ knowledge and language skills in several courses in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) at a business-oriented university. The tools presented include Moodle LMS, MS Forms, MS Teams, Socrative, Mentimeter, and Kahoot!. After listing the functionalities of these platforms and tools and presenting their advantages and drawbacks, the paper compares testing, assessment and evaluation done in the traditional classroom environment with the ones conducted online, focusing on the benefits and limitations of each enviroment.