Ofqual has said it expects greater use of technology in exams this year and  “more change” in the future.

Writing In the exam watchdog’s corporate plan, published today, interim chief regulator Simon Lebus backs the system’s “greater use of technology this year” and says Ofqual is anticipating more such change.

His comments came after the government’s education recovery commissioner, Sir Kevan Collins, yesterday said there was a “big discussion” to be had about online exams.

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Mr Lebus writes: “I’m pleased to see that awarding organisations have embraced greater use of technology this year, to enable learners to continue to take their qualifications despite public health restrictions.

The increasing role of technology in assessment

“Covid-19 has acted as a catalyst to these new approaches and we anticipate more changes across the market. We welcome these innovations and have been active in engaging with awarding organisations to support their safe implementation in the interests of learners, quality and fairness.”

Yesterday Sir Kevan, addressing the House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee, said: “I think we need to move more quickly to assess online because I think that is the future.

“That opens up the opportunity, particularly in A levels, to make sure that people get their grades before they get their offers for university, which I think is another conversation we should be having.”

Earlier this year Tes revealed how the pandemic was pushing England towards a digital exams revolution.

In March, we reported that the major exam boards had been asked by the Department for Education if they could move GCSE and A-level exams online in 2021, prior to their cancellation.

And Tes also revealed how all three major exam boards were conducting research working towards a move to online exams.

Today Mr Lebus writes that “in the use of technology, and in many other areas, too, there is much to learn from Covid-19 and its effect on the qualifications industry”.

Ofqual says it plans to continue to use technology “in how we regulate in order to reduce the burden for awarding organisations”.