Effectiveness of Digital Assessment in Measuring Science Learning Outcomes in HEIs in Nigeria: A Case Study of the University of Delta, Agbor.

This study investigates the effectiveness and operational challenges associated with utilizing digital assessment tools for measuring science learning outcomes within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria, focusing specifically on the University of Delta, Agbor. Adopting a robust sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the research combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a nuanced understanding of digital assessment's impact on STEM learning. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0.1, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) to outline trends, and inferential statistics (Independent t-tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA) to test hypotheses and explore interaction effects among variables. The findings reveal a strong desire for technological integration, with 63.4% of respondents expressing support for the full adoption of digital assessment. This willingness persists despite widespread operational hurdles; a significant 75.2% of participants reported experiencing technical problems "sometimes" (63.2%) or "often" (12.0%). The study, which was predominantly informed by student perspectives (95.2% student respondents vs. 3.2% faculty staff), identified that the primary barriers to effective implementation are systemic. Specifically, infrastructure inadequacy was cited as the biggest problem by 78.5% of respondents, followed by insufficient training needs (53.7%). The study concludes that while the necessary user acceptance and drive for digital transformation exist, the current capacity to effectively leverage digital assessment for measuring learning outcomes is critically hindered by fundamental deficits in institutional infrastructure and essential user training. Recommendations center on urgent strategic investment in technological infrastructure and targeted professional development to bridge the gap between user enthusiasm and technological capability.