Digitally Mediated Assessment in Higher Education: Ethical and Social Impacts

As assessments become increasingly mediated by technology, we tend to focus on the immediate benefits of digital innovation. However, by utilising technology, assessment is itself changing and this has implications for society at large. What are the social impacts, moral responsibilities and ethical dilemmas presented by digitally mediated assessments? There are likely to be real challenges for students, individual educators and institutions. As assessments are increasingly delivered with technology, it is worth considering: who controls assessment work; who might be excluded by the new forms of assessment; and who benefits from assessment labour. This chapter reviews the broader social and ethical landscape of digitally mediated assessments and presents practical propositions to help navigate pressing ethical challenges.