Embracing the Future of Assessment – Handwriting, Technology, and the Real World

Patrick Coates, CEO of the e-Assessment Association (eAA), responds to recent media reports of concerns raised by examiners about illegible handwriting affecting fair grading in GCSE exams and the important question these raise about the role of handwriting in academic assessments. While these reported concerns are understandable, they fail to acknowledge two critical points relating to handwriting and assessment: first, handwriting as a primary assessment tool does not reflect the real-world skills students need; second, advances in AI and handwriting recognition technology offer solutions that are more accurate, equitable, and more effective than traditional human marking.

Handwriting is no longer a core real-world skill

In a world dominated by technology, the emphasis on handwriting as a fundamental skill for academic success feels increasingly anachronistic. While handwriting has historical and cognitive significance, it is not the primary medium of communication, learning, or productivity in today’s professional and educational environments.

• Digital communication is the norm: From emails to collaborative documents, professionals overwhelmingly rely on digital tools. Handwriting, while still relevant in some contexts, is no longer the primary mode of communication in the real world.
• Skills for the future: Students entering the workforce need digital literacy, typing proficiency, and the ability to navigate collaborative online tools—not perfect penmanship. Placing undue emphasis on handwriting may divert time and resources from teaching these essential digital skills.

If the goal of education is to prepare students for real-world challenges, the focus must shift from handwriting to skills that are both practical and future-proof. Exams should reflect this reality, embracing tools that enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and critical thinking without being penalized for poor handwriting.

AI and technology offer a fairer and more accurate solution

While illegible handwriting can indeed make marking challenging, the solution is not to return to an outdated emphasis on penmanship. Instead, we should embrace advancements in AI and handwriting recognition technology that can transform assessment processes for the better.

• Handwriting digitization: It would of course be better to capture content directly from students whether by them typing onto a computer, or audio capture where this is not an option. If this is not possible, AI tools can digitize handwritten scripts with remarkable accuracy, converting them into typed text. These systems eliminate the bias and inconsistency inherent in human interpretation of handwriting, ensuring that students are judged on their ideas and knowledge, not their penmanship.
• AI-powered marking: Once you have the essays in electronic format, why not just use AI to mark the exams? AI-based marking systems can mark with greater consistency and accuracy than human examiners in a fraction of the time and cost. By using standardized criteria and removing subjective biases, these systems ensure fairer outcomes for all students. Additionally, AI can provide detailed feedback to students and educators, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
• Improved accessibility and inclusion: For students with learning difficulties or physical impairments, handwriting can be a significant barrier. AI solutions level the playing field by accommodating diverse needs without requiring separate accommodations. Just because we have been doing things the same way for 100’s of years, doesn’t mean it’s the best way. By incorporating handwriting recognition into assessments, these tools ensure that all students—regardless of their handwriting ability—can participate equitably.

The role of online and hybrid assessments

The move toward online exams, for all the General Qualifications providers, AQA, Pearson and OCR is not about “deskilling” students but about modernizing assessment practices to reflect contemporary learning and working environments. Online assessments provide numerous advantages, including:

• Efficiency: Digital exams streamline the grading process, reducing turnaround times and administrative burdens.
• Flexibility: Students can demonstrate their knowledge through various mediums—typed responses, multimedia submissions, and even handwritten input converted through AI.
• Data Insights: Digital assessments enable detailed analysis of student performance, helping educators identify trends and areas for targeted intervention.

Addressing concerns about “deskilling”

Critics argue that relying on technology in exams undermines traditional skills like handwriting. However, this perspective overlooks the need to strike a balance between preserving valuable skills and preparing students for a digital world.

• Dual focus on handwriting and typing: Handwriting should still be taught and valued for its cognitive and creative benefits, but it should not be the primary determinant of academic success. Schools should incorporate both handwriting and typing instruction into the curriculum, ensuring students are proficient in both modes of communication.
• Leveraging Technology Without Dependency: The use of AI and technology in assessments is not about replacing human skills but augmenting them. These tools ensure fairness, accuracy, and accessibility while allowing students to focus on demonstrating their knowledge and creativity.

Moving forward: A vision for modern sssessment

The e-Assessment Association believes that the debate over handwriting should not distract from the broader goal of creating fair, inclusive, and future-focused assessment systems. By leveraging technology, we can address the challenges posed by illegible handwriting while preparing students for the realities of the digital age.

• Promote innovation: Encourage the adoption of AI-driven handwriting recognition and marking technologies to improve accuracy and fairness.
• Support inclusivity: Ensure that all students, regardless of their handwriting abilities, have the tools they need to succeed.
• Focus on real-world skills: Align assessment practices with the skills students need for higher education and the workplace, including digital literacy and critical thinking.

The art of handwriting will always hold value, but it should not be the linchpin of academic success. As we move into an increasingly digital future, it is time to embrace the possibilities of technology to create assessment systems that are not only fairer but also better aligned with the world students will inherit.

By adopting these innovations, we can ensure that assessments truly measure what matters: the knowledge, skills, and potential of every student.

About the eAA 

The e-Assessment Association plays a vital role in bringing together a global community of awarding organisations, assessment providers, technology experts, academics, and educational institutions dedicated to advancing the field of digital assessment. By fostering collaboration across these diverse stakeholders, we create a unique platform to share expertise, insights, and best practices that drive innovation and address the evolving needs of the assessment landscape.

This extensive network of professionals equips the eAA with a deep understanding of assessment technologies and their applications, enabling us to address complex challenges such as ethical considerations, accessibility, and the rapid pace of technological evolution. As digital assessment becomes more central to education and professional qualifications, our role in shaping this transformation ensures that it remains inclusive, equitable, and aligned with the highest standards of integrity.

Central to our mission is the eAA’s unwavering commitment to fostering confidence and trust in digital assessments. This includes addressing critical issues like data security, ensuring assessments are accessible to all learners, and building frameworks that inspire trust among stakeholders. By creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, we help guide the global assessment community toward solutions that not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate future challenges, ensuring that digital assessments are secure, fair, and impactful for learners worldwide.

Individuals can join the eAA for free – find out more here.

e-Assessment Association AI Special Interest Group

The eAA’s AI Special Interest Group meets regularly to discuss innovations, best practice and answer critical questions relating to AI and assessment. Find out more here: https://www.e-assessment.com/ai-special-interest-group/