Assessment for Language Learning

Dr. Shalini Mathur

Associate professor, IPS Academy, Indore

Dr. Shaloo Manocha

Assistant Professor, IPS Academy, Indore

Keywords: Assessment, MCQ, OEQ, Language learning, LSRW


Abstract

Assessment is the parameter to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning. The use of appropriate assessment strategies and techniques helps to ascertain the proficiency of the learner in a subject. Thus to assess the knowledge of any subject, appropriate assessment methods are required so that learning becomes better. It is a matter of real concern how assessment and consequent learning can be influenced by the decisions in the educational field. M.P Higher Education has introduced changes in the syllabus and as well as evaluation process since 2021. As a part of the change, they have introduced Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) assessments for all the Foundation Courses. The Foundation Course consists of four subjects:- English language, Hindi language, EVS and Yoga. This sort of assessment may be appropriate for yoga and EVS but assessing language purely on multiple choice-based questions (MCQ) is worthy of thinking. This study is based on an analysis of various viewpoints of all the stakeholders (faculty members, students, educational institutes and society in general)in this respect. It is a review of the assessment process in foundation courses especially Hindi and English languages in Madhya Pradesh higher education. This will also include the pros and cons of different forms of assessment and their relative impact on the learning of different language skills viz. LSRW.


References

Babo, R., &Suhonen, J. (2018). E-assessment with multiple choice questions: A qualitative study of teachers’opinions and experience regarding the new assessment strategy. International Journal of Learning Technology, 13(3), 220-248. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijlt.2018.10017163

Bell, S. (2010). Project-based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2), 39-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098650903505415

Black, P., Harrison, C., & Lee, C. (2003). Assessment for learning: Putting it into practice. UK:McGraw-Hill Education.

Breland, H. M., Danos, D. O., Kahn, H. D., Kubota, M. Y., & Bonner, M. W. (1994). Performance versus objective testing and gender: An exploratory study of advanced placement history examination. Journal of Educational Measurement, 31, 275-293.

Cahill, D. R., & Leonard, R. J. (1999). Missteps and masquerade in American medical academy: Clinical anatomists call for action. Clinical Anatomy. 12: 220-222

Cheryl, A. M., David, O. D., Bart, K., & Nagasawami, S. V. (2017). Analysis of testing withmultiple choice versus open-ended questions: Outcome-based observations in ananatomy course. American Association of Anatomists Sci. Education, 11, 254-261.

Cronbach, L. J. (1988). Five perspectives on validity argument and test validity. Hillsdale, NJ:Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Darling-Hammond, L., (1994), Performancebased assessment and educational equity, Harvard Educational Review, 64(1): pp. 1-27.

Dermo, J. (2009). E-assessment and the student learning experience: A survey of student perceptions of e-as-sessment. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(2), 203-214. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00915.x

Douglas, M., Wilson, J., & Ennis, S. (2012). Multiple-choice question tests: A convenient, flexible and effective learning tool? A case study. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 49(2), 111-121. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/14703297.2012.677596

Harrison, C. J., Konings, K. D., Schuwirth, L. W., Wass, V., & Van der Vleuten, C. P. (2017). Changing the culture of assessment: The dominance of the summative assessment paradigm. BMC Medical Education. 17, 73-87.

Holmes, N. (2015). Student perceptions of their learning and engagement in response to the use of a continu-ous e-assessment in an undergraduate module. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 40(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2014.881978

Huba and Freed (2000) Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning.

Nicol, D. (2007). E assessment by design: Using multiple choice tests to good effect. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 31(1), 53-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/03098770601167922

O’Day, J.A. and M. Smith (1993). Systemic school reform and educational opportunity. In S, Fuheman (Ed.), Designing coherent educational policy: Improving the system. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, pages 250-311Ramsden, P. (2003). Learning to teach in higher education. 2nd edition. London: Routledge.

Scouller, K. (1998). The influence of assessment method on students’ learning approaches: Multiple choice question examination versus assignment essay. Higher Education, 35(4), 453-472. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003196224280

Scriven, M. (1991). Evaluation thesaurus. Fourth edition. Newbury Park: Sage.

Most read articles by the same author(s)