The SMH argues that a computer marking system that removes assessment from human agency and hands it over to a machine shows disrespect to both teacher and pupil.
The SMH explains that the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority is proposing to introduce computer marking not just for multiple-choice questions but for essay questions.
It points out that the obvious question is, can a computer understand an argument and assess how well it is expressed?
According to the paper, ACARA claims sophisticated computer marking programs can use artificial intelligence as well as complex statistical analysis to assess essays accurately according to the criteria, but teachers reject the idea.
The SMH stresses that as both Perelman, and Robyn Cox of the Primary English Teaching Association warned, it will not be long before schools and coaches have worked out what the computer marker rates highly, and are teaching children to write what it wants to read.
It also indicates that although computers and other digital wizardry can be used in education, they should be subordinate to the cultivation and nurturing of one mind by another - human interaction.
