12 December 2024

The first testing period with our new testing platform Ans is over. Monique Tromp and Thirsa van Vianen of the FSW Digital Testing team tell how these busy weeks have gone. “We are learning more and more and can help teachers better and better.”

Put to the test

At the end of October, not only did the testing period begin for students and teachers. The Digital Testing team was also put to the test. Besides the introduction of Ans, they also had to work with the relatively new Bring your own device (where students take the test on their own laptops) as well as the new safe exam browser. “It was a very busy period, during which 55 exams were taken,” says Monique Tromp. “Tests that had to be adjusted at the last minute, students who quickly needed a loaner laptop, it all came along. But all in all, we are satisfied with how it went.”

In practice

You can prepare so well, some things only emerge in practice, says Thirsa van Vianen. “You could say that in the past few weeks we found out what we didn't know yet. Because in Ans some things work just a little differently, many teachers came with questions. A lot of questions were for example about the grade calculation, which works with a new formula starting this year.” 

Tips

Our tips for teachers? Thirsa: “Do you want to enter a test yourself? Then first ask us if we can prepare an empty test - then the settings are immediately right. Especially follow the articulation module Digital assessment with Ans @ FSW, and join an Ans Basics-training in early February.”

Reinforcement

The next busy period is already approaching: Monique: “The last week before Christmas and in January there are a lot of exams again. But with the knowledge and experience from Block 1 and thanks to the reinforcement of the Digital Testing team with a new colleague, we are looking forward to it.”