Yearly Archives: 2025

What is a Computer-Adaptive Test?

What is a Computer-Adaptive Test?
Computer-adaptive testing (CAT) represents one of the most significant advancements in educational assessment technology in recent decades. As an educational technology that dynamically adjusts to the test-taker’s ability level, CATs have revolutionized how we evaluate student knowledge and skills across various educational contexts. Fundamental Principles of Computer-Adaptive Testing At its core, a computer-adaptive test employs…
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What Does It Mean to be Criterion-Referenced?

What Does It Mean to be Criterion-Referenced?
As an educational assessment specialist who has spent decades researching evaluation methodologies, I can affirm that criterion-referenced assessment represents one of the most significant paradigm shifts in educational measurement. Unlike norm-referenced approaches that compare students to each other, criterion-referenced assessment evaluates student performance against clearly defined learning objectives or standards – a distinction with profound…
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What does Intimacy vs. Isolation refer to?

What does Intimacy vs. Isolation refer to?
Intimacy versus Isolation constitutes the sixth stage in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, occurring during young adulthood, approximately between the ages of 18 and 40. As an educational researcher with a focus on developmental psychology, I’ve observed that this stage has profound implications for how young adults navigate their personal and professional relationships, as…
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What does Integrity vs. Despair refer to?

What does Integrity vs. Despair refer to?
Integrity versus Despair constitutes the eighth and final stage in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, occurring during late adulthood, typically from the mid-60s until the end of life. As an educational psychologist who has studied lifespan development, I find this stage particularly poignant because it represents the culmination of a lifetime of experiences and…
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