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The Test Community.Network

The Test Community.Network

Written by: Tim Burnett
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 Welcome to the Test Community Network, your go-to weekly update on everything about assessment and testing. Tim Burnett and special guests will help you find the latest chances to explore and connect in the diverse world of assessment and testing. Discover new events, webinars, and podcasts, plus get inspiration from the Test Community Network marketplace. For more information visit: https://www.testcommunity.networkTim Burnett
Episodes
  • 4th Dec: Assessment in the Age of AI: A Language Testing Perspective with Zeynep Urkun

    4th Dec: Assessment in the Age of AI: A Language Testing Perspective with Zeynep Urkun
    Dec 4 2025

    I'll help you generate the show notes for this episode. Let me first read the transcript to understand the discussion points.Based on the transcript, here are the show notes for this episode:

    In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Zeynep Urkun, a language assessment specialist with over 30 years of experience in English language testing and evaluation, based in Istanbul. They discuss:

    • The impact of AI on language assessment and the challenges of keeping assessment methods current with workplace requirements
    • The importance of selecting authentic assessment tasks that reflect real-world language use and mediation skills
    • Technology adoption in Turkey and considerations around digital equity and access in education

    Zeynep shares insights from the Assessment Now conference in London, where professionals across various fields grappled with similar concerns about AI integration. She discusses the mismatch between traditional assessment methods and modern workplace requirements, particularly for students at English-medium universities in Turkey who need B2-level proficiency. The conversation explores promising developments in AI-assisted assessment, including chatbots for spoken language evaluation and AI scoring comparisons with human raters.

    Zeynep emphasises the need for more holistic, skills-blended approaches to language assessment, moving away from siloed testing of reading, writing, speaking, and listening towards integrated tasks that mirror real-world communication. She highlights how Turkey is embracing innovation in educational technology, with institutions conducting various AI-related projects, whilst acknowledging ongoing challenges around internet connectivity and the global digital divide. The discussion also touches on lingering effects of the pandemic on education and the rapid pace of technological change in the assessment field.

    Connect with Zeynep Urkun on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeynep-urkun-36056015/

    Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

    If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

    Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

    Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

    Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

    Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network
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    32 mins
  • Research Sprint Webinar: What are the impacts of using AI to author question items?

    Research Sprint Webinar: What are the impacts of using AI to author question items?
    Nov 26 2025
    In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Sergio Araneda, Karl Hartley, Miia Nummela-Price, and Neil Wilkinson as they launch a groundbreaking Research Sprint exploring the impacts of using AI to author assessment items. Sergio is a Research Scientist at Caveon specialising in test security with a PhD in psychometrics. Karl is Director of AI Learning Strategy at Epic Learning in New Zealand, having just completed the country's largest research into generative assessments. Miia is a Fractional General Counsel and legal consultant advising on the intersection of technology, education and law. Neil is Director of Product and Innovation at Certiverse, bringing extensive experience from creating high-stakes assessments at Pearson. They discuss:Legal implications and copyright challenges: ownership of AI-generated items, liability considerations when items prove flawed, and the evolving regulatory landscapeQuality assurance and the human element: how AI is transforming item authoring workflows, the critical ongoing role of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and why treating SMEs well remains essential despite automationTest security vulnerabilities: pre-exposure risks specific to AI-authored items, benchmarks and rational expectations for LLM capabilities, and the importance of testing non-deterministic AI outputs multiple timesThe panel explores the practical realities organisations face today as AI tools are already being deployed in classrooms and examination halls worldwide. Karl shares insights from his 114-page research report on generative assessments, whilst Sergio emphasises the importance of understanding LLM training and benchmarks to set realistic expectations. Miia highlights that legal frameworks are still developing and these conversations will continue for the foreseeable future as case law evolves. Neil stresses the value of breaking down AI tasks into smaller, focused prompts rather than creating massive verbose instructions, and advocates for using AI in review roles alongside human authoring. The discussion emphasises that this isn't about replacing humans but augmenting their capabilities, with the human remaining firmly in the loop for validation, construct validity and cultural fairness considerations. Tim introduces the Research Sprint platform where the assessment community can continue the conversation asynchronously, share insights and collaboratively develop practical guidance on AI authoring impacts.Connect with Sergio Araneda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergio-araneda-13994a16/Connect with Karl Hartley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlhartley/Connect with Miia Nummela-Price on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miianummela-price/Connect with Neil Wilkinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-a-wilkinson/Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/Resources mentioned in this episode:Join the Research Sprint: https://research.testcommunity.network/Karl's Research on AI-Generated Assessments: https://concove.ac.nz/discovery-hub/ai-generated-assessments-for-vocational-education-and-training/AI Adoption Playbook: https://testcommunity.network/landing/aiplaybookSpecial thanks:Stuart Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgamartin/Episode Sponsor - Vretta: https://www.vretta.com/Connect with the Test Community Network:If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chatEvents: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-eventsPodcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcastsMarketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplaceSubscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 13th Nov: Assessment Now 2025 Replay: Authenticity in the age of AI

    13th Nov: Assessment Now 2025 Replay: Authenticity in the age of AI
    Nov 12 2025

    In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Catherine Whitaker, Global Director Online Learning at the British Council, and Louella Morton, Co-founder and Co-CEO of TestReach. They discuss:


    Authenticity and Assessment in the Age of AI - How AI is accelerating the debate around skills-based assessment versus knowledge regurgitation, and what assessment should look like in an AI-enabled world

    Cross-Sectoral Learning and Collaboration - The value of bringing together schools, higher education, and professional qualifications sectors to share challenges and opportunities, breaking down industry silos

    Digital Transformation in the Exams Industry - The rapid rate of change in assessment over the past 10-15 years, the role of organizations like the EAA in providing thought leadership, and how examining bodies can navigate innovation while managing risk aversion


    Tim provides a recap of the Assessment Now conference organised by the British Council in London, featuring about 100 delegates from awarding organizations, higher education institutions, and assessment experts. Catherine shares insights on the British Council's unique position as both an assessment provider and exam deliverer for over 140 organizations, and discusses their new AI-powered speaking assessment bot with 90% positive feedback. Louella discusses the importance of best practice and guidance as the industry navigates uncharted waters with new technologies, and the balance between innovation and the cautious approach many organizations take.

    Connect with Catherine Whitaker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-whitaker/

    Connect with Luella Morton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louellamorton/

    Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/

    If you would like to join Tim on a future episode or sponsor the Test Community Network then get in touch with Tim to schedule a call: https://calendly.com/educationtech/15min-teams-chat

    Events: https://www.testcommunity.network/upcoming-events

    Podcasts: https://www.testcommunity.network/podcasts

    Marketplace: https://www.testcommunity.network/marketplace

    Subscribe to the Test Community Network here: https://www.testcommunity.network
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
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