Yani's Blog
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Computerized Testing and Online Language Proficiency Assessement
Despite many unresolved technical and equity-related problems, test-makers are plunging headlong into new computerized methods of administering multiple-choice exams. Unfortunately, simply automating bad tests does nothing to solve their long-standing problems and may actually compound them. Many colleges, universities, and public school districts are using computerized placement tests for example The Educational Testing Service (ETS). Computerized testing praise its ability to provide immediate score reporting and faster and more flexible test scheduling. Besides provide a final score with fewer items in a shorter period of time than conventional paper-and-pencil, multiple-choice tests also offer a greater scope of types of items through the use of graphics and video.
In contrast, there many problems occur when they use computerized testing. First of all, test-makers claims that the scores of computerized and pencil-and-paper tests are equivalent are inadequately supported. Most computerized tests show only one item on the screen at a time, preventing test-takers from easily checking previous items and the pattern of their responses, two other practices known to help test-takers. Most computerized tests show only one item on the screen at a time, preventing test-takers from easily checking previous items and the pattern of their responses, two other practices known to help test-takers. Test-makers may try to use computerized exams to circumvent Truth-in-Testing disclosure requirements. The additional cost of computerized tests is certain to have a large effect on who chooses to take them. Test-takers with the ability to manipulate computer keys rapidly may be favored by long passages that require reading through many screens.
According to the article about “Online Language Proficiency Assessment”, English Language become a medium of instruction Science, Mathematics and technology related subjects back into the education system in 2001 because English Language known as an international language for global communication. English language skills are important to enable educators to teach effectively using English as the medium of instruction. This paper proceeds to share the experience at the School of Language Studies and Linguistics of UKM, which was commissioned to develop the English Language training module for in-service lecturers at UKM. What is clear from the outset though is the need to approximate their current English Language proficiency and academic English literacy competency levels. A language competency profiling o these lectures will be useful as the information will guide and inform in their placement of language training modules.
An online test that can be accessed anywhere in the campus, with less anxiety and with apprehension level minimized should be the most suitable approach. The objectives of the UKM Strategic Plan for 2000-2020 which are related to the ICT include UKM spearhead the campus ICT agenda by upgrading the ICT literacy and culture activities, to establish efficient management and service system, to upgrade training and staff development program and to prepare lifelong learning for all. The web-based system learning care platform which is accessible via The University Information System (UIS) is an ideal test bed to develop the online test for UKM academician. Learning care does provide a relatively simple interface for test development, scoring and statistics keeping, which made it a good platform for the development of the pilot phase of the online test. Cloze-type test provides multiple choices for test takers to select the most appropriate response for each gap. It is estimated that test takers would take about 30 minutes to complete the test. Therefore, to ensure the validity of the online test, the test needs to administered in a controlled environment within a specified time frame. The UKM community also needs to be informed about the test so that majority of the lecturers will come forward and self-rate their proficiency level online.
posted by Yani at 7:06 AM
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1 Comments:
Summary is good and hope you continue blog writing
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