The main objective of the „Technology Based Assessment” (TBA) project at the DIPF is to establish a national standard for technology-assisted testing on the basis of innovative research and development according to international standards as well as reliable service.    

Development

By consistent refinement TAO shall serve as a universal and modular tool capable of supporting the entire assessment process from item development to creation of reports. This software development will be complemented by standardized documentations, not only for developers but especially for individual users.

The development work should account for following criteria:
-    Flexible Usage
-    Efficient Assessment
-    Usability
-    Open to Future Developments

Flexible Usage

The modular construction allows for a flexible interaction with already established assessment procedures. This will additionally be supported by import and export options for important proprietary systems.

Efficient Assessment
Efficient computer-based assessment will be ensured by modules that automate and support standardized routines, such as the tailoring of feedbacks or the creation of standardized reports. 

Usability
The system is intended to be used intuitively. It should be well-integrated into common work routines, e.g. the system should reflect the collaborative development of item contents. 

Open to Future Developments
The modular and open software architecture of TAO supports the integration of innovative modules in the future, e.g. the creation of interactive item formats. The open-source design will particularly allow for further dynamic development of the TAO project. 

Service
As a service oriented project, the TBA cluster will support activities of the DFG (German Research Foundation) priority programme “Competence diagnostics for assessing individual learning results and accounting education processes” („Kompetenzmodelle zu Erfassung individueller Lernergebnisse und zur Bilanzierung von Bildungsprozessen“).  Furthermore, German educational institutions will be supported in the development and implementation of technology-based assessment scenarios, for instance the computer-based component in the PISA study (Reading of Electronic Text).
The release of TAO as open-source platform and its further developmentwill enable German educational institutions to easily and efficiently conduct technology-based assessments on their own and according to current scientific standards. The modularized construction of TAO will help the institutions to tailor adequate assessment chains for themselves. They can integrate their own existing modules as well as ignore (TAO) modules that are not required. 
A special synergetic effect for educational research in Germany will be accomplished by using a common (meta)data model for the development of test items.  Thus, cooperating TAO users can easily exchange items and can quickly and flexibly regroup them for assembling new test batteries.
The TBA project will develop a sophisticated service structure that combines individual counselling and training with internet-based forms of communication (Wiki, Forum, FAQ, Newsletter).  

Research
The research activities of the TBA project focus on the following core areas of technology-based assessments:

In addition, research activities will cover the construction and application of feedback routines (tailored and motivated) as well as the usability of technology-based item formats (e.g. computer literacy requirements). A further research area includes computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and the analysis and design of item banks.