2018 Conference
View photos and presentations from the Surpass Conference 2018 in Bristol.
Headline Session Topics
Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) at Scale • Online Invigilation • Test Centre Networks • Computer-Adaptive Assessment (CAT)
Language Testing • Formative Testing • Surpass Certification • Test Conversion • Sponsored Development
Linear-On-The-Fly Testing (LOFT) • T Levels • Functional Skills • Accessibility in Assessment • HTML Developments
Opening Keynote
Angela McFarlane
Keynote Speaker
Professor Angela McFarlane is an expert in international fit-for-purpose assessment, and is well-versed in how technology can be used to enhance assessment.
She opened this year’s conference with an insight into ‘What Good Looks Like’, sharing examples of excellence through technology within education and assessment. Angela also shares her views on how we can rethink our approach to assessment, and how it can ultimately benefit society.
Community Headlines
Sonya Whitworth
BTL
Andy McAnulla
BTL Surpass
Andy McAnulla, CTO and Sonya Whitworth, COO at BTL give a summary of achievements over the last year, and share stories of success working within the Surpass Community, collaborating to addresses challenges, and implement change.
Community Updates
Gavin Busuttil-Reynaud
AlphaPlus
Barry Skitch
CPA Canada
Emelie Bral
Breda University of Applied Sciences
Michael O’Reilly
Prometric
Rebecca Rosenlund
telc Language Tests
Michaela Hesse
telc Language Tests
Sean McDonald
telc Language Tests
In this session, new and established Surpass Community members speak about their exciting new projects and qualifications. AlphaPlus update the community on work with computer adaptive testing in Wales, CPA Canada tell us about BYOD testing, and Emelia Bral of BUAS updates us on a number of projects underway in the Netherlands. In addition, Prometric provide an update on their global migration of customers to Surpass, and telc tell us how they used Surpass to launch a new qualification in Germany.
New Feature Highlights (and Customer Insights)
Ibi Layi-Ojo
Prometric
Surpass is constantly evolving to adapt to new technologies, learners, and a changing assessment industry. This presentation provides an insight into the latest developments in Surpass, and how these new and exciting features will benefit both test development and delivery.
Accessibility in Assessment
Isabel Holdsworth
BTL
Accessibility is about improving the assessment experience for everyone. This presentation looks at how BTL has integrated accessibility into its development process, while exploring what accessibility is and the features the team have been working on.
T Levels
Geoff Hurst
Altain Education Ltd
T levels are coming to England, with threats and opportunities to the awarding organisations already operating or wishing to operate within this space. Geoff Hurst of Altain Education presented some key observations on the development of T Levels and the potential impact.
Innovation Insights
Bob Gomersall
BTL
Jacqui Mulligan
CPA Ontario
Ibi Layi-Ojo
Prometric
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Bob Gomersall, BTL’s chairman hosts this session exploring why innovation is such an important part of the business. Surpass Community members also present their own versions of innovation in technology and assessment design.
Surpass Services Update | Tests, Training, Online Invigilation, and Test Centres
Jim Crawford
BTL Group Ltd.
Lizzie Anstiss
BTL Group Ltd
Sam Thompson
BTL Group Ltd
Brigitte Phillips
BTL Group Ltd
In an ever-evolving assessment industry, BTL are always looking at new ways to support the Surpass
Community, and how these additional services can enhance the assessment experience. In this
session, we explore what other support and services BTL provide outside of the Surpass
system, and how our teams implement these services.
Exploring Bring-Your-Own-Device in Assessment (BYOD)
Simon Trevors
BTL Group Ltd
Andy Walker
BTL Group Ltd
BTL have recently been involved in projects to use BYOD for large scale computer-based testing.
During this session we’ll be exploring this further, looking at the challenges we have faced, such as multi-device support and test data security. The session will be ideal for any members of the Surpass Community looking to engage in BYOD testing.
Building the Assessment Ecosystem through Successful Integration
Dave Dixon
BTL Group Ltd
Andy Walker
BTL Group Ltd
Gordon Harrison
Gordon Associates
Scott Flockton
BTL Group Ltd
Jen Warhurst
BTL Group Ltd
You don’t have to be highly technical to appreciate the business sense it makes to connect IT systems through intelligent and robust integration. Ever since we first started exploring the internet within business, we recognised the importance of data flow and reliable connections between platforms.
Within this session we will be hearing members of the Surpass Community discuss how they have enhanced their services by switching on the connections supported by the Surpass APIs. We’ll be hearing about their personal experiences and looking at potential connections of the future. We’ll also be exploring some smaller Agile projects that have demonstrated that a connected ecosystem can be very useful.