scholarly journals Evaluation of Alternative Assessment Methods Used in Elementary Schools

Author(s):  
Mehmet Demir ◽  
Cynthia A. Tananis ◽  
Keith Wayne Trahan
2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Rideout ◽  
T. B. Brenneman ◽  
K. L. Stevenson

Abstract Southern stem rot (caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) traditionally has been assessed based on the percentage of infected 30.5-cm row segments, commonly referred to as disease incidence. Several alternative disease assessment methods were evaluated in four fungicide trials during the growing season (aboveground ratings) and immediately after peanut inversion (belowground ratings). Pearson's correlation coefficients compared disease assessments and yields for all trials. Across all disease assessment methods, belowground assessments at inversion showed a stronger correlation with yield than in-season aboveground assessments. Several of the alternative assessment methods showed a stronger negative correlation with yield than did the traditional disease incidence rating. However, none of the alternative methods were consistently more precise across all assessment dates and trials. There was a significant positive correlation between many of the alternative methods and the traditional disease incidence method. Furthermore, none of the alternative methods was better than the traditional method for detecting differences among fungicide treatments when subjected to ANOVA and subsequent Waller-Duncan mean separation tests (k-ratio = 100). Based on comparisons of the time required to assess disease intensity, the traditional disease assessment method was found to be the most time efficient method of those tested in this study.


This study aimed at identifying the effect of alternative assessment on academic achievement, from the viewpoint of teachers in elementary schools in Gaza. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire developed consisting of 21 items then reliability and validity were calculated, the study population consisted of 120 teachers. The study sample consisted of 92 teachers, selected in a stratified random method, where the total of 87 valid statistical analyzes retrieved by 94.56%. The results of the study showed: The perceptions of the members of the study sample to the alternative assessment came to a high degree, the academic achievement from teachers in the basic schools in the Gaza Strip came at the macro level at a high level, and there is a statistically significant effect at the level of significance (α<=0.05) of alternative assessment on academic achievement. In light of the results, a set of recommendations were proposed, including The Directorate of Education in the Gaza Strip should be concerned with the adoption of alternative assessment methods in its affiliated schools, because of the importance of alternative assessment in improving the level of academic achievement of students


Author(s):  
Erna Oliver

The knowledge driven, network society that is founded upon technology, demands from students to become independent, confident and motivated life-long, self-directed learners that can transfer their knowledge, skills and values. In order to deliver this type of graduates from a diverse and unequal student pool, effective education must be provided. Educators are encouraged to focus education on student-centeredness and to use technology effectively. Alternative assessment methods that are technology driven could enable both educators and students to become more effective in this environment. This article advocates the use of alternative assessment methods by using technology driven assessment tools for possible replacement of traditional, paper based and ‘one size fits all’ assessment methods within theology. The SECTIONS framework was used to evaluate ten alternative assessment tools that are in accord with the development within society.


Author(s):  
Bahar Dadashova ◽  
Lingtao Wu ◽  
Karen Dixon

Rumble strips are known to be one of the most cost-effective treatments for preventing roadway departure crashes. However, in recent years some studies have found controversial results indicating that rumble strips may in fact increase the number of more severe crashes. Although these effects are estimated to be very small, highway safety agencies deploy these treatments with an expectation that they will reduce all crash types. In this paper, the authors have conducted a statistical evaluation to determine the impact of rumble strip presence on fatal and injury crashes at freeway locations. For this purpose, the authors acquired an existing database used for one of the aforementioned studies and evaluated the variables using alternative assessment methods. The results of the current study suggest that rumble strips do in fact improve the safety outcomes in rural freeways. These findings are observed to also apply to urban freeways, but the effects are not statistically significant for the study database.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Mazin Mansory

Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning in educational organizations that requires teachers to prepare tests in order to evaluate their learners’ performance. In language teaching contexts, traditional assessment often evaluates learners’ knowledge of previously learned language items. It is a mandatory process that determines the progress of language learners and the effectiveness of teaching/learning materials. This theoretical article reviews the literature on the notion of traditional assessment or static assessment which has certain shortcomings. Owing to the various drawbacks of static assessment, the review of related literature on the topic highlights and proposes alternative assessment methods, such as authentic assessment, dynamic assessment, peer assessment, and self-assessment.  In contrast to traditional assessment, these different forms of alternative assessment share a common purpose that is to provide language learners with an opportunity to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and set their future learning goals. The most common of the assessment methods that encourage learners' reflection were peer assessment and self-assessment which involve learners to assess their own progress as well as engage with peers in classrooms to give each other feedback on their language learning tasks assigned by teachers. The studies reviewed in this article illustrate that alternative assessment methods in the form of peer and self-assessment have a positive influence on the language learners' performance and their learning outcomes. 


2019 ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
Irini-Renika Popokammenou

One of the important roles and responsibilities of teachers is to conduct assessment to assess students’ progress. The implementation of alternative assessment methods can be frustrating and rather difficult for teachers. This paper discusses teacher and student perceptions on using alternative assessment. It focuses on how young learners of English perceived three different alternative assessments: peer-assessment, conferencing and the use of students’ drawings as assessment materials. The data sources comprised classroom observations, interviews with teachers and written comments from students. Analysis of the data provided insights on how teachers choose assessment techniques in A1 and A2 level classes. Teachers’ perceptions on the specific assessment methods are discussed. The written comments from students identified how students perceived the combination of the assessment methods employed by teachers and which assessment method they favored. The results show that teachers and students have positive perceptions on alternative assessment. Students’ needs and age are important factors for selecting assessment methods and individual needs must be taken into consideration when choosing alternative assessment methods. This paper highlights the importance of alternative assessment in A1 and A2 level classes since it can improve instruction. Results on the drawings used in the study as assessment materials indicate that students value personalized assessment. Alternative assessment can be a vital component in educators’ efforts to improve education.


Author(s):  
Yurdagül Günal

This study aimed at finding out secondary school physical education teachers' overall perception and perceived competence regarding implementing of alternative assessment methods along with frequency of using them. Study participants were comprised of 142 physical education teachers from state schools in Trabzon province during the 2012-2013 education–instruction year. "Teacher Competency" questionnaire developed by Bano?lu (2008) was used. The five-item scale is comprised of four parts. Part one includes demographic data about participants, part two is about "teachers' overall perceptions regarding implementation of alternative assessment methods" (not necessary-quite necessary), part three includes "teachers' perceived competence regarding alternative assessment methods" (unsatisfactory-very satisfactory), and the last part is about "frequency of teachers' using alternative assessment methods (neverquite often)". Data analysis was done at significance level of 0.05 by using "SPSS for WINDOVS 20". in data analysis, frequency, percentage and arithmetic mean were calculated from participants' responses in all of the three parts. Arithmetic mean range was calculated with the logic of 5 columns and 4 ranges. Value of each range was found as 4/5=0,8. Arithmetic mean for teachers' overall perceptions regarding using of alternative assessment methods was found as X= 3.17. According to teachers, alternative assessment methods are moderately necessary as seen from range values obtained from the questionnaire. Portfolio (x=26.1) was found to be the leading alternative assessment method teachers consider not necessary. It was followed by(x=20.4) concept maps. As for the methods considered rarely necessary; performance task (x=17.6) and peer assessment (x=12.7) were found. Under moderately necessary methods, project (x=22.5) and group assessment (x=26.1) were found. Check list (x=49.3) and self assessment (x=43) were listed as necessary methods. Lastly, quite necessary methods were reported as rubric (x=21.1) and check lists (x=14.8). It was understood that mostly teachers regard themselves competent about alternative assessment methods (x=3.53). They find themselves incompetent mainly in relation with concept maps (3.16) and portfolios (x=3.30). The teachers regard themselves competent about check lists, rubric, project, performance tasks, peer assessment, self assessment and group assessment (3.42-4.22). The study revealed that teachers mostly use alternative assessment methods at moderate level (x=3.06). Performance task was found the most frequently used method (x=3.41). It could be inferred from range degrees in questionnaires that according to overall mean of frequency of teachers' using alternative assessment methods (x=3.06), the frequency is low (2,62-3.41). Thus, it could be suggested "frequency of teachers' using alternative assessment methods is mostly not at desired level".


2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 2433-2446 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M. Mateu ◽  
Isidre March-Chorda

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a more useful business models assessment method than the traditional intuitive one. The paper also compares both methods, in order to display what does the intuitive assessment method really assess. Design/methodology/approach An experimental approach allows the authors to generate a set of business models, in order to assess them and to compare alternative assessment methods in a quantitative manner. Findings The work proposes a scale for ex ante business models assessment consisting on eight indicators. This provides an ex ante assessment that takes into consideration a wider range of factors than the traditional intuitive assessment. The comparison between both methods shows which factors are intuitively taken into account and which are not. Research limitations/implications The research contributes to expand the business model creation framework. Practical implications A more accurate assessment will show the most promising business models that will result in higher chances of success of new business ventures. Social implications As companies and entrepreneurs hardly have the possibility to implement more than one business model, to choose the best option becomes essential. This selection could mark the threshold between success and failure, and between wealth creation and destruction. Originality/value Little research has been conducted in a field that might be really fruitful, the field of business model ex ante assessment. The work faces the challenge using an experimental methodology that allows to broaden the range of situations to study.


Author(s):  
Kemal KOÇ ◽  
Ayhan AKSOY

The creativity is a process which can be enhanced by education. The creativity process may be evaluated in the most efficient way by following the student studies. The significant point is to look at the events, ideas, rules, behaviors and objects from different perspectives and to experience it in the life itself. The creativity is an important dimension of learning. The creative thinking is vital for acquiring the information and the environments convenient to enhancing the creativity help learners to hold positive attitudes towards learning. In this study, the creativity and creative thinking which are crucial nowadays and assumed to increase its importance in the future are examined in terms of the relationship between “alternative assessment methods” and “performance tasks” which have entered into our education system in recent years.


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