COMPUTER-TECHNOLOGY COGNITIVE-PSYCHOLOGY INTERFACE AND SCIENCE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

The emerging interface between computer technology and cognitive psych ology for performance assessment in science education is explored. Cog nitive theories of learning offer promises to transform computer techn ology from a test administration tool into a process assessment fool, and computer technology offers a medium for studying the cognitive pro cesses of learning. Interface theories and interface technologies are briefly discussed. The technology-psychology interface may be a base f or building an alternative assessment technology. Some prototype proje cts in this line of inquiry are presented. As in any other novel appro aches to testing, there are several questions that need to be answered in establishing the role of the technology-psychology interface in pe rformance assessment.