Applying computer-based mathematics testing on mobile tablets for elementary students

The mobile tablet technology allows users to directly write on the documents with their fingers. Using the mobile tablet device such as iPad in mathematics testing has an added value. The proposed study aims to develop the curriculum-based measurement (iCBM) in mathematics by mobile technology and to explore the effects of iCBM on children´s achievement and attitudes. A total of ninety-two third-grade students in Taipei, Taiwan participated in this study. Students in two classes used iCBM for math tests. The other class took the paper-and-pencil CBM tests. Students took a CBM test weekly in consecutive two weeks. A questionnaire was administered after the completion of CBM tests. The results indicated that students in the iCBM group had better math scores compared with students with the paper-and-pencil testing. Students showed a positive attitude toward the usability of iCBM system. The mobile testing environment also facilitated students´ attitude toward math tests. The result indicated that students had lower levels of test anxiety when using the mobile tablet device. This study supported that the mobile tablet device designed for mathematics tests is a promising approach for elementary children.