ITEMS Corner Update: Announcing Two Significant Changes to ITEMS

Abstract

In addition to an exciting new module on Multidimensional Item Response Theory (MIRT) equating, there are two important announcements regarding the Instructional Topics in Educational Measurement Series (ITEMS). After much discussion with authors, learners, the educational measurement community, and other stakeholders of ITEMS, I am pleased to announce (1) the transfer of the ITEMS portal to the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) website and (2) a new digital module format.

Transfer of the ITEMS portal to the NCME website: In 2018, I, along with Matthew Gaertner, led efforts to launch the new NCME website on the Higher Logic platform. Besides bringing a modern look and feel to the organization's web presence, the platform was selected due to its flexibility and customizability. In the years since, traffic to the NCME website has continued to increase, and there has been a significant increase in site content (e.g., software database, special interest group community pages). In April of this year, just prior to the NCME Annual Conference, the website committee, led by Erin Banjanovic, released a much-needed re-organization of the content on the site. This wonderful overhaul has made navigating the NCME website easier with content now in more logical locations. However, noticeably absent from the NCME website has been the ITEMS portal. As a reminder, ITEMS is a publication from NCME that has a brief summary published in the Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice journal with the primary digital content on the ITEMS portal, freely available after registration. The ITEMS portal has been a Learning Management System based website, with many features and ripe for extension. Though from the user's perspective, it can be complex to navigate and necessitates additional navigation from the primary NCME website, also requiring unique log-in criteria.

It is at this time that I am pleased to announce that the ITEMS portal is now available on the NCME website at the following link: https://www.ncme.org/itemsportal

Transferring the ITEMS portal to the NCME website has several immediate benefits. First, all modules will remain free of charge, but no longer require additional registration. Second, they will have a different organization structure, improving navigating across modules and enabling more efficient access to key information. Finally, they will fall under the NCME brand, having the same look and feel with all the content on the NCME website.

Although this issue marks the launch of the ITEMS portal on the NCME website, the transfer of content remains a work in progress. For now, both the old and new ITEMS portal will be available and all links to the old ITEMS portal will remain functional. However, I would strongly advise all who embed or link to content to begin updating to the portal on the NCME website. Nearly all of the content has been shifted, but if you notice anything missing or have a suggestion for enhanced navigation, please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]. Over the next few months, I will be modifying and enhancing the look, feel, and navigation of the new ITEMS portal on the NCME website. This means that you should not be surprised if the ITEMS portal is updated each time you visit.

New digital module format: Another benefit of the new portal is the ability to fully customize each module. Over the past year since being named Editor, I have spoken with many authors and learners of modules. A common theme arose: the love for the digital module, but the immense learning curve (and time) to develop a module within the Learning Management System, and the complexities and limitations of using the modules. After several brainstorming sessions aided by the flexibility of the ITEMS portal on the NCME website, I am pleased to announce a new format of ITEMS modules. The modules will remain digital but streamlined with fewer interactive features enabling users to get to the content quicker. Each module will consist of a video abstract introduction that outlines the learning objectives of the entire module. Following will be several sections that each have their own learning objectives, an approximate 10-minute video, and interactive learning checks. These sections can be completed in any order, although the modules will be designed for a linear presentation. Videos will be available for viewing on the website or for download. This will let course instructors embed parts of the modules in their classes, professionals share only specific content with stakeholders, and allow learners to download sections for offline viewing. I will stress that, similar to referencing other published material, please cite the module as appropriate when embedding for alternative use. The module citation will be available on the portal for convenience.

I am excited to announce the first digital module in this new format on MIRT equating authored by Stella Y. Kim. In this module, Dr. Kim provides a review of MIRT models, a summary of the recent literature on MIRT equating, the challenges of MIRT equating compared to unidimensional IRT equating, and a step-by-step guide on how to perform MIRT equating. In addition, she exemplifies the methods in an activity using FlexMirt and RAGE-RGEQUATE. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Kim's patience with the new development process and the trust she put in to my vision of the new form of ITEMS modules. I encourage learners interested in MIRT equating to complete this module, and all ITEMS module learners to explore the new form of ITEMS modules.

An additional benefit of this new format is on the backend for the author. There is no need to learn new software and development time is cut substantially with nearly 100% of the effort spent on developing content. I have and will continue to work with authors to make this process as seamless as possible. Thus, I encourage anyone interested in producing an ITEMS module to contact me directly. There is an exciting lineup of in-development modules, but I am excited to speak with anyone with a module idea!