3C Institute
Assessments often frustrate children, especially those with learning challenges, which can result in reduced engagement and motivation, and corresponding poor data quality. Online assessments offer significant advantages over traditional data collection methods, such as higher response rates, higher quality data, and substantial administrative cost savings. However, current online assessment options fail to offer developmentally appropriate tools specifically designed for children, including accommodations for children with learning challenges.
With input from researchers, educators, and other stakeholders, we’ve developed Quest, an online system to deploy developmentally appropriate online assessments for children (ages 6-12 years), incorporating Universal Design principles and featuring accommodation options such as text-to-speech functionality to minimize the effect of learning challenges on data quality.
The assessment interface for children is an engaging, game-like environment with built-in accessibility tools. In the management portal, educators and researchers are able to manage assessments, view completion status and descriptive statistics, generate assessment reports, and download data for further analysis. The Phase I research demonstrated usability with children as well as feasibility for key stakeholders. Phase II testing is currently underway to demonstrate efficacy for high quality data collection with children.
Built-in accessibility tools (e.g., text-to-speech, synchronized highlighting) address learning challenges and maximize children’s engagement and motivation in the data collection process.
A game-like environment with a selection of engaging, developmentally appropriate user interfaces and selectable avatars engages children in the assessment.
HIPAA-, FERPA-, and COPPA-compliant system allows users to review, manage, download, and print individual and group reports on assessment outcomes.
Resource and help centers to aid implementation, including videos, Q&As, FAQs, a database of Universal Design assessment principles, user guide, and video tutorials.
Dr. Childress obtained her PhD in psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to coming to 3C Institute, she served as a research associate and a postdoctoral fellow in the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill working on a longitudinal imaging study aimed at identifying the early markers of autism through behavioral and imaging methodologies. She has 19 years of autism research experience, during which she has examined the behavioral, personality, and cognitive characteristics of individuals with autism and their family members. Dr. Childress also has experience developing behavioral and parent report measurement tools, coordinating multi-site research studies, and collecting data from children and families. She has taught courses and seminars in general child development, autism, and cognitive development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
