ETS PROJECT Latest Trends In Language Testing.

ASSESSMENT AS A WAY TO LEARNING

Aaron Rogers
Pearson

Testing
- Testing tells us what level of knowledge or skill has been acquired.
Evaluation
- Is the process of examining a subject rating it based on its important features? We
determine how much or how little we value something arriving at our judgment on the
basis of criteria that we can define.
Assessment
- Assessment of Ss Learning is a participatory, iterative process that provides
data/information you need on your Ss learning, engages you and others in analyzing
and using this data/information to confirm and improve teaching and learning, produces
evidence that Ss are learning the outcomes you intended, guides you in making
educational and institutional improvements, determines whether changes made
improve/impact Ss learning and documents the learning and your efforts


What kind of assessment and tests are there?
1 Informal Assessment
2 Formal Assessment
3 Formative Assessment
4 Summative Assessment
5 Non reference Testing
6 Criterion Referenced Testing
7 Communicative Language Testing
8 Discrete Point testing

After I have finished a unit I like to make sure that the Ss have achieved the
learning objectives and if they havent I provide more practice. (3) Formative
Assessment
After I have taught a particular unit I like to check whether my Ss have learnt the
content. I do not repeat the evaluation. (2) Formal Assessment
When I finish a course I always make sure that my Ss have or have not achieved
the learning objectives. The results determine whether he/she moves on the next
level. (4) Summative Assessment
I like to give feedback to my Ss in class when they have done well on a task or
when they have had difficulties. (1) Informal Assessment
When I test my Ss I dont only look at their language performance, I also look at
their ability to maintain and repair conversation. (7) Communicative Language
Testing
When I test my Ss I prefer to separate language into parts and I just test one or two
parts, for example vocabulary related to animals or a particular verb tense. (8)
Discrete Point testing
After an evaluation I give a concept that is based on their achievement in the
evaluation. (6) Criterion Referenced Testing
After an evaluation o a test I give a score and I organize my Ss in a list based on
their scores. (5) Non reference Testing





E-Portfolios

- Whats a portfolio?
Its all the collection of what you have done in order to be shown
- Who controls it?
Both. The teacher and the Ss
- What are the perceived benefits?
Self development, reflection and the ability to learn from the process.

Portfolio Processes

- Traditional
Collecting
Selecting (personal decision)
Reflecting
Directing (positive and negative experiences)
Presenting (you must show it)
- Technology
Archiving (compiling together with all classmates. We have a data base with all
information.)
Linking / Thinking (Sharing information. Trough collective knowledge we develop as
well.)
Storytelling (Your own story. To express how you feel. To express your ideas.)
Collaborative (So they have the opportunity to interact at all times.)
Publishing (Having the opportunity to have other Ss to read and comment about
their stories.)

Google APPS MASH-UP

Education E-portfolio Workflow.
-Create groups
-Create the page. Igoogle
-Open an account

Portfolio Differences

- Assessment of learning

Purpose prescribed
Artifacts mandated (not only the exams, it is everything. Evidence of process)
Organized by teachers (Adults and University Ss should be both, Teacher and Ss.
Give them samples from where to choose. Give them the criteria)
Summative (From Past to Present. Previous language evidence. What level did the
Ss start at?)
Institution centered (The institution should be aware of results. Involves the
institution, teachers and Ss. When results are gathered they are used for
improvement)
Extrinsically motivating (not about results. Its more about showing what you have
learnt)

- Assessment for learning

Purpose negotiated (there is a consensus between the people taking part. T and Ss
insert things into the portfolio)
Artifacts chosen
Organized by the learner
Formative (Present to Future)
Students centered
Intrinsically motivating


Google APPS step by step portfolio.

- Purpose (Google Sites, Blogger)
- Collection/classification (Google Docs)
- Reflection (Google Docs)
- Collaboration (Google Wave, Blogger, Picasa, Google Groups)
- Evaluation (Google Reader, Google Docs, Google Video, Blogger)
- Publishing (Google Sites)