Psychometricians in the Age of AI: Evolving Roles and Opportunities with Ada Woo
Join Tried and Tested host, Isabelle Gonthier, as she sits down with Ada Woo, VP of Innovative Learning and Assessment Solutions at Ascend Learning, for an engaging conversation on the evolving role of psychometricians in an AI-driven world. Recorded at the E-ATP Conference in Berlin, this episode dives into Ada’s inspiring journey from aspiring clinical psychologist to psychometrician, the impact of assessments on her life, and her insights on how psychometricians can adapt to technological advancements.
Together, they explore topics like leveraging AI to enhance test development, the growing importance of business acumen, and strategies for embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in assessment practices. Plus, Ada shares her advice for psychometricians on embracing change and building connections in an ever-evolving industry.
Ada Woo
Vice President of Innovative Learning and Assessment Solutions at Ascend Learning
As Vice President of Innovative Learning and Assessment Solutions at Ascend Learning, Dr. Ada Woo oversees the research and development of cutting-edge learning and assessment products. Her team ensures that all components of the organization’s measurement and learning science expertise are efficiently integrated across Ascend’s diverse product portfolio.
With a career spanning nearly two decades in the assessment field, Dr. Woo brings a wealth of experience to her role. Before her tenure at Ascend, she served as chief of staff for ACTNext, the innovation arm of ACT, Inc., and as the director of measurement and testing at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Beyond her responsibilities at Ascend Learning, Ada is active in the education and technology community. In 2018, she was appointed to the Iowa Innovation Council, a state governmental body dedicated to fostering innovation within Iowa. At the national level, she has held chair positions in various committees for the National Council of Measurement in Education (NCME) and the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). Currently, Ada contributes her expertise as the Workforce Director on the ATP Global Board of Directors. As Board Chair-elect, she will assume the ATP Chair role in 2025.
Dr. Woo earned her Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her research delves into areas such as personalized learning, adaptive testing, technology-enhanced assessment, and the evaluation of 21st-century skills.