Trust is foundational to the validity and acceptance of qualifications. It requires consistent reliability, authenticity, and transparency, qualities inherent in robust assessment systems.
Yet, recent global disruptions, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly altered public perceptions, challenging traditional custodians of trust and raising critical questions about the reliability of assessment and qualifications.
Across Europe (and globally), diverse responses to this trust crisis have provided valuable lessons. Collaboration among stakeholders, governments, educational institutions, technology providers, and learners has emerged as a crucial factor in successfully rebuilding trust. European experiences demonstrate that effective collaboration can facilitate transparency, enhance accountability, and improve the credibility of assessments.
However, the assessment landscape remains contentious. Issues such as fraudulent qualifications, inequitable admissions, exam maladministration, and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and digital tools continue to stress public confidence. Against this backdrop, European case studies highlight the essential role of e-assessment tools in addressing these challenges. Digital platforms offer scalable solutions for identity verification, authenticated coursework, secure exam environments, and more precise measurement of learner performance, addressing many persistent weaknesses of traditional paper-based systems.
Critically, European collaborations also reveal strategies for integrating digital credentials and assessment methods into educational ecosystems, demonstrating tangible improvements in trust indicators such as reliability, transparency, and fairness. Europe's experience underscores the value of sharing best practices, advocating for unified standards, and establishing robust regulatory frameworks to maintain assessment integrity.
This session invites participants to explore these collaborative European efforts, asking critical questions:
- What specific practices have successfully nurtured trust in European e-assessment initiatives?
- How can digital assessment tools and frameworks developed in European contexts inspire broader international confidence in qualifications?
Our international panel of experts will share practical lessons and insights into Europe's, and the wider globe's collective journey toward enhanced trust in qualifications, showcasing why a collaborative approach to e-assessment is not merely beneficial, but essential for educational integrity and credibility in our increasingly digital age.