What is your role at AECD, and who are the learners you support?

I am an instructional designer. My responsibilities include designing assessment systems, developing learning pathways, and supporting learners throughout their training.

We offer a wide range of training programmes, from basic literacy and French as a Foreign Language (FFL) courses to vocational and certification programmes that can lead to qualifications equivalent to a Higher National Diploma (BTS), depending on funding schemes and regional needs.

One of our distinguishing features is the diversity of the people we support: long-term job seekers, newly arrived immigrants, refugees, people changing careers, and learners enrolled in literacy or French language programmes.

Why does assessment play such a central role in your educational approach?

Our approach is based on cognitive education and the concept of "learning how to learn." Assessment is therefore not simply a final step designed to measure what learners have retained. It begins at the very start of the learning journey and continues throughout the programme.

We first conduct an initial assessment to identify each learner's existing knowledge, challenges, and learning needs. This diagnosis enables us to design a personalised learning pathway and define clear learning objectives.

Assessment then becomes a genuine learning tool. It helps learners better understand their strengths, recognise areas for improvement, and monitor their progress throughout their training.

How were assessments managed before you started using Experquiz?

We relied on much more traditional methods. Assessments were mainly paper-based, involving printed questionnaires, manual marking, and time-consuming processing of results.

While the system worked, it was much more difficult to analyse the data, monitor learners over time, or quickly obtain an overall picture of training needs.

When we discovered Experquiz, we saw an opportunity to modernise our assessment practices while preserving the human-centred approach that defines the way we support our learners.

What were your main criteria when selecting an assessment platform?

Our first concern was people. We needed to support a significant change in working practices among teams that were not always comfortable using digital tools.

We also had budget constraints and wanted a solution that genuinely met our needs without unnecessary complexity.

Above all, we were looking for a platform that was easy to use, flexible enough to adapt to our different assessment scenarios, and capable of evolving alongside our practices.

Our first discussions with the Experquiz team also reassured us that they understood our requirements and would support us throughout the implementation process.

How do you use Experquiz today?

The platform supports several stages of our learning programmes.

We first use it during placement assessments to evaluate the skills of learners applying for training. These results help us determine the most appropriate learning pathway and objectives for each individual.

We also use it for continuous assessment, mid-course reviews, and certain certification processes. Learners have their own access to the platform, allowing them to practise independently, complete learning modules, and take assessments throughout their training.

Today, nearly 800 learners have active access to the platform.

How do you use assessment results to build personalised learning pathways?

Assessment results are primarily a decision-making tool for our teaching teams.

They allow us to quickly identify competencies that have already been mastered, those requiring further development, and the areas that deserve closer attention during one-to-one discussions.

Assessment never replaces the trainer's professional expertise. Instead, it provides valuable indicators that support diagnosis and help build more targeted learning plans.

Our priority is always to understand each learner's actual needs so that we can provide the most appropriate educational support for their progress.

How do these assessments help learners better understand their skills and progress?

Visual representations play a very important role.

When learners can see their results displayed through charts or competency maps, they find it much easier to understand both their strengths and the areas where they still need to improve.

This is particularly valuable for learners who may have experienced difficulties at school or who lack confidence in their abilities.

Assessment therefore becomes a powerful communication tool. It highlights progress, recognises achievements, and makes learning objectives much more tangible.

How does the platform help you manage large volumes of assessments?

In some years, we have had around 1,500 active users.

The platform enables us to handle these volumes while maintaining close educational support. Our teaching teams have a clear overview of learner results and can continue to monitor individual progress despite the large number of assessments being delivered.

Beyond its features, we also value the platform's reliability. Technical issues are rare and, whenever they do occur, the Experquiz team responds quickly to resolve them.

This ability to manage large-scale assessments while providing a smooth experience for both learners and trainers is a major strength for our organisation.

What have you particularly appreciated about the support provided by the Experquiz team?

Their availability is undoubtedly one of the things we value most.

From the initial implementation of the platform through the years that followed, we have always worked with responsive contacts who answer our questions quickly and provide support whenever we encounter a challenge.

This close relationship is extremely valuable. We sometimes need to implement advanced features or address highly specific requirements, and every time the Experquiz team has helped us find suitable solutions.

This level of customer support is not something you necessarily find with every software provider.

Have you requested any specific developments to the platform?

Yes, on several occasions.

For example, we requested enhancements related to the display of assessment results and the management of specific conditions within our placement questionnaires.

Each time, the team took the time to understand our needs and propose appropriate solutions.

This ongoing dialogue not only helps us improve our own assessment processes but also contributes to the continuous evolution of the platform.

Which platform developments have impressed you the most in recent years?

The integration of artificial intelligence features has been one of the most significant improvements.

For an instructional designer, being able to generate an initial bank of assessment questions saves a considerable amount of time. Naturally, expert review and validation remain essential, but AI significantly accelerates the design process.

We have also seen many improvements to the platform's administration and management features, making day-to-day work much easier for our teams.

Which new uses would you like to develop in the future?

We are probably not yet making full use of everything the platform has to offer.

I would particularly like to develop more assessment formats based on observation, images, and real-life scenarios. These approaches are especially valuable for some of our learners because they reduce barriers related to reading ability or language proficiency.

They also create new educational opportunities for developing reasoning skills, learner autonomy, and transferable competencies.

Why is Experquiz particularly well suited to your organisation?

Because it is flexible, accessible, and genuinely meets our needs.

Even after several years of use, we continue to discover new possibilities and refine our practices.

It is a platform that fully supports both our educational philosophy and our day-to-day work. Most importantly, we know we can always rely on the Experquiz team whenever we need advice or assistance.