Final Project: Due October 2nd

Final Project Guidelines

Based on the study sheet provided, the student will develop a project according to this criteria.

Post any questions in this forum.

Analyzing Quizzes

Look at these quizzes and talk about the different aspects studied in the class. Pay attention to every detail and post in this forum (even your own quiz). Test design, validity, test purpose, criterion, method, constraints, social aspects, reliability, measurement, etc.

Start like this "Quiz 1: the design is appropriate for a level of... because... In terms of validity..."

I know it is a lot of work, so I am waving the essay.

Analyzing Rubrics

Look at this rubric, the instructions and the requirements and tell me:

1. What works.
2. What can be improved.
3. What does not work.


Rubric

Two weeks left!

Dear All:

Thank you for your patience. We have two weeks left, and believe you me that this class has been one of the most interesting to teach (and to learn). We need now to start thinking about your final project. I will give you a sample course sheet and you will create a test for each macro skill, and explain the rubric to use. More on this later.

For this week,

Blog (Wed and Sun)
Quiz analysis on Blog (due Sun)
Essay Reflection on Rubrics (due Sunday)

The First Blog:
Do research online and explain what you understand by "Rubrics", particularly in teaching languages... do not copy-paste, explain. Due Wednesday. We'll take it from there.

Pause to Consider II -Due Sunday

Look at p.250

Pause to Consider -Due Wednesday

This week:


1. Read the material.

2. Post on the Blog.



3. Using the same sample material I sent before in Spanish, create a writing quiz. Take a look at the elements and consider that this sample page is for an elementary level.

ACTFL OPI

There is no quiz scheduled for this week. Please read the content of the ACTFL OPI at the bottom of your Quia page. The recording: I will have someone come to UDB on Thursday at 3PM. As a group, you will record and evaluate this person for about 30 minutes taking into consideration the points established by ACTFL. Then, individually, you will tell me what the level of this person is based on the ACTFL scale. If you have a conflict with this meeting, you need to let me know ASAP -Tuesday the latest- and I will think of something else.

Testing -your way...

Two things in this blog.

1. Tell me how you would use technology in your classes when testing. Tell me about the difficulties you are likely to find in an environment like the one in El Salvador. Keep in mind that testing does not refer to quizzes and exams only.

2. Post questions about the assignment here.

Chapter 8 -New Directions.

Participate in the blog through Wednesday.

Think of this class. The instructor lets you take the quizzes as many times as possible, yet some don't take advantage of this opportunity. If this were an in-person class, I would still have you take the quizzes online because I believe it takes pressure off your shoulders, and it serves me a different purpose: a tool for learning and teaching. Not every teacher would do that, though. Most people will give you a quiz during class and whatever the result you get, that's it! Think about this for a minute before you leave your comment. What advantages does Quia give you? Would you favor in-class quizzes?

Class Concerns

What's on your mind? Share your concerns with me and the class. Do not type your name.

Social Policy vs Assessment

Read this stub below from your book and from Wikipedia, and comment

1. How would your assessment of a student affect him/her socially? Of course you are not send this person to be killed, but you may affect their raise, promotion, etc.

2. The Ephraimites did not have to pay for the test. We all pay for TOEFL or a local placement test. The rich have easy access to these, and they even have access to tutors or preparatory courses. Is this fair?

Origin

The term originates from the Hebrew word "shibbólet" (שִׁבֹּלֶת), which literally means the part of a plant containing grains, such as an ear of corn or a stalk of grain^[3] or, in different contexts, "stream, torrent".^[4][5] It derives from an account in the Hebrew Bible, in which pronunciation of this word was used to distinguish members of a group (the Ephraimites), whose dialect lacked a /ʃ/ sound (as in shoe), from members of a group (theGileadites) whose dialect did include such a sound.

In the Book of Judges, chapter 12, after the inhabitants of Gilead inflicted a military defeat upon the tribe of Ephraim (around 1370–1070 BC), the surviving Ephraimites tried to cross the Jordan River back into their home territory and the Gileadites secured the river's fords to stop them. In order to identify and kill these disguised refugees, the Gileadites put each refugee to a simple test:

Gilead then cut Ephraim off from the fords of the Jordan, and whenever Ephraimite fugitives said, 'Let me cross,' the men of Gilead would ask, 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he said, 'No,' they then said, 'Very well, say Shibboleth.' If anyone said, 'Sibboleth', because he could not pronounce it, then they would seize him and kill him by the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell on this occasion.

– Judges 12:5-6, NJB

Blog about a blog

Read the comments here about grading, testing and evaluation. Leave your comments on our blog. Due Wednesday!

Validity or reliability?

Which is more important? Explain your choice.

Psychometrics

Think of educational measurement and give your opinion on whether or not this field has an impact on language assessment.

Pause to Consider

Comment on the sections "Pause to Consider..." in p. 188 and 190.

No more finals!

Say that you carry out a reform at UDB where term exams are no longer required, but instead, the university switches to ongoing assessment including projects and assignments. How can this be done? What are the obstacles? Who would oppose? How will the students react?

Validation

The purpose of validation in our profession is to ensure the defensibility and fairness of interpretations based purely on performance -nothing else. The examples in the readings compare a test with a judicial trial. The judge and the jury must be fair... and the same is expected of you. Say your supervisor (who is an expert in English Teaching) asks to speak with you because of some negative results in your students' performance according to the test scores, how can you ensure the defensibility and fairness of your tests?

Evaluation or Testing?

Please read the materials before posting. Do not repeat what others say.

What are the differences between evaluation and testing? How do we know when one happens and not the other? Which one do I use in my classes?

Subjective Rating

Say you are the evaluator for an oral exam at your institution, how can well-trained teachers and administrators avoid being subjective raters?

Constraints in developing a test

I remember one of my professors at the University of El Salvador... he gave us a quiz with two questions, and three possible grades: 0, 5 or 10. Looking back, I cannot tell you what a relief I felt when I had quizzes or tests in other classes that offered me more than 2 questions!

Now, how do you think you, as teachers of a foreign language, should conceptualize, develop, and put into operation your testing procedure in your classes. What could be the best possible way to make sure you are testing what you teach?

First Quiz...

How was it? Some people scored 100, after taking the quiz several times. I like that. This is how it is supposed to be. As a general rule in any class I teach, you may take the quizzes unlimited times... this reduces anxiety and lets you learn in the process. Make sure that you read the instructions... "multiple choice" is different from "multiple correct." The latter lets you choose more that one answer. The floor is open.

Impositional Testing

Why is it important to view testing as a more "humane" practice? Think about yourself and reflect on the times you felt you were just another victim of the process.

Tell me who you are!

Let's keep this simple and friendly. Share your comments with the group.

What are your expectations for this course?

How do you feel about an online class?

Is this your first online class? 

Are you currently working as a teacher?

We will use this blog as our Forum, and Quia as our Platform.

What to do in this class weekly:

1. Read your “Planning.” See what's in the Calendar of Activities for each week.

2. Do the required readings posted on Quia, and take the quiz (you may take a quiz multiple times!)

3. Post your thoughts on the Blog as part of your evaluation. Two entries weekly are expected. I also want you to comment on someone else’s posts.

4. Email me at nelsonjlopez@gmail.com if you have questions.

How to participate?

Read the assignments for the day in the Calendar of Activities. → Participate on group discussions on the Forum → React to other participants' comments. → Take the Quiz.