Forms of assessment
...tional and alternative assessment: Traditional assessment Alternative assessment One-shot, standardize exams Timed, multiple-choice format Focus on language Scores suffice for feedback (teacher-centered) Norm-referenced scores Focus on “right” answer Summative Oriented to product Non-interactive performance (isolated skills) Fosters extrinsic motivation Continuous long-term assessment Untimed, free-response format Focus on commincation Individualized feedback and washback (learner-centered) Criterion-referenced scores Open-ended, creative answers Formative Oriented to process Interactive performance (integrated skills) Fosters intrinsic motivation Effective modes of assessment for learning: Different assessment activities provide appropriate contexts for carrying out assessment for learning through observation, effective questioning and quality feedback in the learning and teaching process. The following figure illustrates some assessment activities that provide appropriate contexts for carrying out assessment learning. Assessments in schools: 1. homework 2. oral presentation 3. conferencing 4. learning and activities 5. assessment tasks 6. shared writing and process writing 7. projects 8. portfolios Homework When marking learners’ written homework or assessing their oral homework, teachers gain information on learners’ strengths, weaknesses and progress in learning English. Oral presentations Oral presentations provide opportunities for learners to use language for purposeful communication. They help teachers collect evidence about learners’ progress in areas such as communication skills, speaking skills and critical thinking skills. Conferencing Conferencing involves a discussion between a teacher and an individual learner or small group of learners. During conferencing, teachers ask open questions that encourage discussions and give learners ample opportunities to express their views. It also provides opportunities for teacher to identify students’ learning needs, monitor and discuss learning progress, and give feedback. Learning tasks and activities Learning tasks may include show-and-tell, games presentations, group discussion and drama performances. Teachers need to conduct appropriate pre- while- and post-tasks activities along with other supporting language activities where learners are encouraged to actively engage in constructing and applying knowledge in order t com...