Automated assessment systems in cloud environments for the development of future professionals’ digital competence

Abstract

The relevance of the study stems from the imperative to enhance the digital competencies of future professionals through the implementation of contemporary assessment technologies. The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of automated assessment systems within a cloud-based environment on the development of students’ digital skills. The investigation used an experimental method, incorporating online assessments utilizing the adapted DigComp 2.1 framework, alongside questionnaires and content analysis. The control group engaged studied using traditional methods, while the experimental group utilized a cloud-based system based in Google Workspace: Google Classroom for course management, Google Forms with automatic assignment checking, and Google Sheets for analysing results. The results showed that digital competence in the experimental group increased by 9.0 points (from 60.2 to 69.2), in the control group — by 3.2 points (from 59.2 to 62.4). The largest increase in the experimental group was recorded in digital communication, content creation, and safety in the digital environment, with each area reflecting an impressive increase of 9 points. According to the survey, 87% of students felt confident in working with cloud services, 83% realized their strengths and weaknesses, and 81% rated quick feedback as a motivating factor. It is concluded that cloud-based automated assessment effectively promotes the development of digital skills: self-control, communication, analytical thinking, and confidence. The scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of the automated assessment’s impact on various components of digital competence. Prospects for further research include the integration of adaptive systems and the study of the long-term effects of digital platforms on learning outcomes.