Perspectives of Digital Assessment in Higher Education in Romania and Moldova

This bilateral research project between Romania and Moldova aims to address a critical gap in the current educational landscape by pursuing a dual objective:

1. To rigorously examine and compare the implementation and impacts of digital assessment tools, including Generative Artificial Intelligence, methods, and strategies within higher education institutions across Romania and Moldova.
2. To pioneer innovative assessment designs that empower students with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attributes to excel in an AI-driven world.

In the context of unprecedented transformations in higher education accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, we have observed the emergence of a new digital and online assessment ecosystem. This research will contribute to understanding the effectiveness of these innovations and provide valuable insights for educational practices in both countries.

The main objectives of this project are:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of digital assessment practices in higher education institutions in Romania and Moldova.
• Perform a needs analysis involving teachers, students, and educational stakeholders in both countries to identify specific challenges and requirements.
• Identify best practices and potential obstacles in implementing digital assessment methods in both countries.
• Provide pedagogical recommendations to enhance digital assessment practices in higher education in both countries.
• Foster the professional growth and career advancement of emerging researchers in the Republic of Moldova and Romania, supporting their contributions to cutting-edge scientific work.

For this project, we propose a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from computer science, learning sciences, psychology, and sociology. Our methodology will blend quantitative and qualitative techniques, encompassing:

• Content analysis of existing literature
• Organizational development analysis for study and research visits
• Structured interviews
• Sociological surveys

In the realm of qualitative research, we will employ Design Thinking methodologies to gain a deep understanding of educators' attitudes and needs. Leveraging the IBM Design Thinking Toolkit, we will engage participants in activities designed to foster empathy and encourage open expression of assumptions and queries.

Our chosen methodology is adaptable and primed for adjustment based on the evolving findings from documentation analysis and research visits.

The project spans over a period of two years (May 2024 - May 2026), organized into three distinct stages:

At each stage of the project, we will implement a dissemination strategy to effectively communicate our research findings. This will be achieved through a multi-faceted approach:

The project's deliverables will be disseminated as open educational resources under a Creative Commons license to maximize accessibility and sharing within the academic community and beyond.

While the project is in its initial stages, we anticipate the following outcomes and impact:

Expected Results

• Comprehensive analysis of digital assessment practices in higher education in Romania and Moldova
• Insights into the specific needs of educators and students regarding digital assessment
• Identification of best practices and obstacles in implementing digital assessment methods
• Pedagogical recommendations for enhancing digital assessment practices
• Academic publications and conference presentations
• Professional development of emerging researchers in both countries

Expected Impact

• Enhanced understanding of digital assessment practices in Eastern Europe
• Development of creative and effective assessment design strategies leveraging AI technologies
• Improved knowledge about specific training needs of educators in implementing digital assessment methods
• Informed policy decisions in both Romania and Moldova regarding digital assessment in higher education
• Contribution to the international body of knowledge on digital assessment
• Strengthened collaboration between Romanian and Moldovan higher education institutions

As the project progresses, this section will be updated with actual results and publications resulting from our research.

This section will be updated as publications and presentations arise from the project. Below are relevant previous publications by project team members related to the research topic:

Prior Relevant Publications

• Crăciun, D. & Grosseck, G. (2022). Chapter 3: Integrarea resurselor digitale pentru evaluare și feedback, p. 141-200.

  In: Ghid practic de resurse educaționale și digitale pentru instruirea f2f, online și mixtă. Editura UVT.

• Holotescu, C., Grosseck, G., Andone, D., Gunesch, L., Constandache, L., Nedelcu, V.D., Ivanova, M., & Dumbrăveanu, R. (2020). Romanian educational system response during the covid-19 pandemic.

  In: eLearning and Software for Education Conference: eLSE 2020, Ed. 16, 30 aprilie - 1 mai 2020, București.

• Grosseck, G. (2009). To use or not to use web 2.0 in higher education?

  Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1(1), 478–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2009.01.087

• Dumbraveanu, R. (2022). Science Education in Moldova. Chapter 26. pp 435 – 452.

  In: Huang R. et al. (eds) Science Education in Countries Along the Belt & Road. LNET books. Singapore: Springer.

• Dumbraveanu, R. & Peca, L. (2021). E-learning Strategy in the Elaboration of Courses.

  In: International Conference on Virtual Learning, vol. 17.

More publications directly resulting from this research project will be added as they become available.

This work is supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS - UEFISCDI, project number PN-IV-P8-8.3-ROMD-2023-0149, within PNCDI IV.

Contract number: 8ROMD/20/05/2024

Project duration: 24 months (May 20, 2024 - May 20, 2026)