Designing Assessment Tools in a Service Oriented Architecture

Assessment is an important component of formal learning, and Computer Assisted Assessment (CAA) is a well established component of most online learning. However, technical issues such as interoperability and security, and pedagogic reservations as to its effectiveness still remain barriers to the uptake of CAA. In this paper we examine a number of current assessment projects, predominantly emanating from the UK, to consider how a service oriented architecture can facilitate the implementation of tailored assessment environments, providing improved assessments within an interoperable and secure framework.