scholarly journals Washback Effects of Diagnostic Assessment in Greek as an SL: Primary School Teachers’ Perceptions in Cyprus

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Maria Mitsiaki ◽  
Nansia Kyriakou ◽  
Despo Kyprianou ◽  
Chrysovalanti Giannaka ◽  
Pavlina Hadjitheodoulou
Keyword(s):  
Language Assessment ◽  
Diagnostic Assessment ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Curricular Innovation ◽  
Instructional Reform ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Perceived Credibility

Washback of diagnostic tools targeted to young migrant learners has been an under-researched area in the language assessment field. This paper explores teachers’ perceptions on the Greek Diagnostic Language Assessment (GDLA) tool recently introduced into the SL preparatory classes of the Cyprus primary education. The tool’s implementation coincides with the launch of a new SL curriculum. The objective is fourfold: (1) to examine GDLA’s washback effects on teaching/assessment, (2) to investigate washback’s variability with respect to several contextual variables, (3) to collect feedback on the perceived credibility of the tool, and (4) to reflect on the use of the GDLA tool as a lever of instructional reform in support of curricular innovation. The study employs a mixed-methods approach and draws on (a) quantitative data (questionnaire, 234 informants) and (b) qualitative data (interviews, 6 participants). The results indicate a positive and quite strong washback on teaching and assessment. However, they bring to the surface several misconceptions on the purpose and the implementation of diagnostic assessment, pointing to gaps in the teachers’ assessment literacy. They also bring into play school administration constraints. Finally, they imply that a diagnostic assessment aligned to a context-sensitive curriculum may bind the test to positive washback.

scholarly journals A phenomenographic study on language assessment literacy: hearing from Iranian university teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsheen Rezai ◽  
Gudarz Alibakhshi ◽  
Sajjad Farokhipour ◽  
Mowla Miri
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Assessment ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Acceptable Level ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Traditional Assessment

AbstractThis study aims to disclose the Iranian university teachers’ perceptions of the fundamentals of language assessment literacy (LAL). To this aim, using purposive sampling, eighteen university teachers from two Iranian universities were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Their viewpoints were audio-recorded, transcribed, and subjected to a phenomenographic analysis. Findings yielded two overarching LAL domains: knowledge (e.g., having an acceptable level of digital LAL, satisfying ethical requirements, benefiting more from performance assessment, considering students’ individual differences, making assessment valid, assuring that tests are reliable, and having an acceptable level of pedagogical content knowledge) and skills (e.g., involving students in assessment, using alternative assessment methods, employing logically traditional assessment methods, informing students about test results, administering tests in standardized ways, using valid grading procedures, and bringing positive wash-back effects). After discussing the results, the study concludes with proposing a range of implications for different testing stakeholders and highlighting some avenues for further research.

Language Assessment Literacy Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kremmel ◽  
Luke Harding
Keyword(s):  
Language Assessment ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Literacy Survey

An Investigation of Elementary EFL Teachers’ Awareness of Teaching Professionalism and Language Assessment Literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-558
Author(s):  
Hyun Young Yang ◽  
Sun Joo Chung
Keyword(s):  
Language Assessment ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Efl Teachers

Young learners’ voices: Towards a learner-centered approach to understanding language assessment literacy

2021 ◽  
pp. 026553222199227
Author(s):  
Yuko Goto Butler ◽  
Xiaolin Peng ◽  
Jiyoon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Language Assessment ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Assessment Practice ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Assessment Tasks ◽  
Sixth Grade Students ◽  
Assessment Skills

Language assessment literacy (LAL) has recently gained substantial attention among language educators and other stakeholders. However, existing models focus almost exclusively on teachers, test developers, and administrators, and lack students’ perspectives in their conceptualizations. To address this gap, with this exploratory study we aimed to understand young learners’ LAL. The participants were fourth- and sixth-grade students (ages 9–10 and 11–12, respectively, with 10 participants in each age group) in China. After taking English mock tests, the children participated in individual, semi-structured interviews that covered their understanding of the following: (a) assessment purposes and theories (their knowledge about how assessment works); (b) assessment skills (their views of assessment designs, procedures, and content); and (c) assessment principles (their notion of fairness, cheating, and feedback). The data were analyzed qualitatively in line with current LAL models. The results suggest that the children already had substantial assessment literacy in knowledge, skills, and principles. Although their teachers’ assessment practice remains form-focused, children generally want more communicative-based and diagnostic assessment. They also want more cognitively challenging and enjoyable assessment tasks. Our findings provide solid supporting evidence for the importance of considering students’ perspectives, along with the views of other stakeholders, in order to have a more balanced understanding of LAL.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of North and South Cyprus’ Teachers’ Perceptions of Teachers’ Unions

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402098828
Author(s):  
Fatoş Silman ◽  
Ahmet Güneyli ◽  
Osman Vaiz ◽  
Nedime Karasel-Ayda
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Teachers Unions ◽  
Greek Cypriot ◽  
Turkish Cypriot ◽  
North And South

This study aims to examine the views of primary school teachers from North and South Cyprus on Teachers’ Unions. Qualitative research and a comparative case study method were used for the study. Thirty-seven primary school teachers from North and South Cyprus participated in this study. The data were obtained through interviews and analyzed by the content analysis method. The comparison of the findings of the research suggests that the functions of trade unions are related to the pressing issues of education, teachers, and the nation in both regions. Turkish Cypriots placed emphasis on education-related functions, while for Greek Cypriots teachers-related functions mattered more. Turkish Cypriot teachers assessed the functions of their unions to be more unsatisfactory than their Greek Cypriot counterparts’.

scholarly journals Embedding Formative Assessment in Blended Learning Environment: The Case of Secondary Chinese Language Teaching in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Kwong Tung Chan
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
Formative Assessment ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Chinese Language ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Lesson Delivery ◽  
Teaching Learning

The fast global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the mass disruption of teaching, learning, as well as assessment, in mainstream schools in Singapore. Teachers were caught unprepared and this jeopardised the quality of classroom delivery and assessment. The Ministry of Education has since shifted to an online asynchronous mode of teaching whilst attempting to keep the face-to-face method of lesson delivery, to which it is called ‘blended learning’ (BL) in the local context. Besides being propelled to learn and use new technology tools for online lessons, teachers also need to quickly explore to embed formative assessment (FA) in the new BL environment to substitute traditional classroom assessment. In this context, I argue that teachers’ language assessment literacy (LAL), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and e-pedagogy are vital to the success of embedding FA in BL. Following, I also describe some tentative predictions for future challenges and opportunities of embedding FA in the BL environment of secondary Chinese Language (CL) teaching in Singapore. On this basis, I discuss the ways in which current conceptualisations of language assessment literacy will need to shift in response to these challenges. Finally, I make some recommendations for practice based on this argument.

scholarly journals Language Assessment Literacy and the Professional Development of Pre-Service Language Teachers

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-259
Author(s):  
Frank Giraldo ◽  
Daniel Murcia Quintero
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Teaching Programme ◽  
Assessment Design ◽  
Development Of Language ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Language Assessment Literacy (LAL) research has focused on defining the knowledge, skills, and principles that the stakeholders involved in language assessment activities are required to master. However, there is scarce research on the relationship between LAL and the professional development of language teachers. Therefore, this exploratory action research study examined the impact of a language assessment course on pre-service teachers in a Colombian language teaching programme. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, teacher and researcher journals and class observations. The findings show that the course promoted theoretical, technical and operational dimensions in the language assessment design practices of the participants. In addition, it enhanced their LAL and professional development. Consequently, this study contends that the LAL course changed language assessment perceptions radically and encouraged pre-service teachers to design assessments conscientiously, a feature not explicitly stated in LAL research involving this group of stakeholders elsewhere.

scholarly journals Teachers’ Perceptions of Consumer Education in Primary Schools in Finland

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-88
Author(s):  
Kati Pajari ◽  
Sari Harmoinen
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Consumer Education ◽  
Teacher Interviews ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Consumer Organisations ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Operating in today’s markets is challenging due to information overload and an expanding choice of products. Children also encounter these complex markets at an early age. Providing consumer education in schools is an excellent opportunity to enhance their ability to think critically and increase their awareness. However, it would be a mistake to ignore the interconnections between consumer education and entrepreneurship education, since active and innovative people are also a prerequisite for future development. Taking advantage of the opportunity to provide consumer education in schools requires teachers to be familiar with consumer issues. This article aims to discuss the perceptions and experiences that primary school teachers in Finland have regarding children’s consumer education in schools. This study was conducted using the phenomenographic qualitative method to analyse data from teacher interviews. The analysis revealed a set of categories that describes the various ways the participants perceive and experience children’s consumer education in schools. These categories include themes, actors, teaching methods and the challenges and expectations teachers relate to children’s consumer education. The findings of this study are worth exploring when planning how to support teachers’ consumer educational competences for a sustainable future. The authors consider that this article is especially valuable for curriculum planners, educators, consumer organisations and parents’ associations, because it shed light on teachers’ perspectives about consumer education.

scholarly journals Elementary Teachers' Perceptions of the Effect of Using Puppet Theater Strategy on the Development of Personal (Cognitive and Social) Aspects in Jordan: دور مسرح الدمى في تنمية الجوانب الشخصية لدى طلاب المرحلة الأساسية من وجهة نظر معلميهم في الأردن

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asma tayseer Mohammad Al-adwan
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Teachers ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Puppet Theater ◽  
Study Population ◽  
The Impact

The study aimed to identify the perceptions of primary stage teachers for the effect of using the puppet theater strategy in developing personal aspects (cognitive, social) in Jordan. The study population consisted of all primary school teachers in the southern Shouna schools, and the whole community of (112) teachers was taken in the first semester 2019/2020, and the researcher used the descriptive method to suit the nature of the study and the results showed what Follows: - The perceptions of primary teachers of the impact of the use of the puppet theater strategy in the development of cognitive aspects were high and significantly. - The perceptions of primary school teachers of the impact of using the puppet theater strategy in the development of social aspects have been high and significantly. In the results, the researcher made several recommendations The most important of them are: - Carrying out many studies and researches in different academic stages. - Attention to using the puppet theater strategy in the curriculum. - Training teachers to use the puppet theater strategy.

scholarly journals Language Teacher Assessment Literacy: A Current Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurdiana Nurdiana Nurdiana
Keyword(s):  
Language Assessment ◽  
Teacher Assessment ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Assessment Literacy ◽  
Good Test ◽  
Language Teacher ◽  
Test Specifications ◽  
Alternative Assessments ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Teacher Assessment Literacy

<span>H<span>Half of the language teachers’ time is spent on assessing students’ performance. Therefore, they should be literate to language assessment in terms of how to make a good test or knowing which method appropriate to assess their students’ learning. Without having assessment literacy, they may not be able to help their students achieve the best results of their performance. For this reason, the present study attempts to examine language teacher assessment literacy and how it has been measured. Besides, suggestions and recommendations for language teachers regarding assessment literacy are discussed in this study. A literature review was employed to conduct this research. Findings suggest that language teachers need more training on language assessment due to their lack of knowledge of language assessment. Although some of them are assessment literate, they do not practice the knowledge in their classroom. This implies that the training they need could be on how to select appropriate assessments for their students, how to design a test,  alternative assessments, and test specifications.</span></span>

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