Toward the Future of Computer-Assisted Language Testing

2020 ◽  
pp. 208-235
Author(s):  
Ethan Douglas Quaid ◽  
Alex Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Language Testing ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Recent Case Study ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews

Semi-direct speaking tests have become an increasingly favored method of assessing spoken performance in recent years. Underpinning evidence for their continued development and use has been largely contingent on language testing and assessment researchers' claim of their interchangeability with more traditional, direct face-to-face oral proficiency interviews through theoretical and empirical investigations from multiple perspectives. This chapter initially provides background and research synopses of four significant test facets that have formed the bases for semi-direct and direct speaking test comparison studies. These are followed by the inclusion of a recent case study comparing test taker output from a computer-based Aptis speaking test and a purposively developed identical face-to-face oral proficiency interview that found a slight register shift which may be viewed as advantageous for semi-direct speaking tests. Finally, future research directions are proposed in light of the recent developments in the semi-direct speaking testing research presented throughout this chapter.

Output Register Parallelism in an Identical Direct and Semi-Direct Speaking Test

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Douglas Quaid
Keyword(s):  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Test Taker ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interview ◽  
Output Register ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Lexical Density ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews

The present trend in developing and using semi-direct speaking tests has been supported by test developers and researchers' claim of their increased practicality, higher reliability and concurrent validity with test scores in direct oral proficiency interviews. However, it is universally agreed within the language testing and assessment community that interchangeability must be investigated from multiple perspectives. This study compared test taker output from a computer-based Aptis General speaking test and a purposively developed identical face-to-face direct oral proficiency interview using a counterbalanced research design. Within subject analyses of salient output features identified in prior related research were completed. Results showed that test taker output in the computer-based test was less contextualised, with minimally higher lexical density and syntactic complexity. Given these findings, the indicated slight register shift in output may be viewed as non-consequential, or even as advantageous, for semi-direct speaking tests.

scholarly journals From Face-to-Face to Paired Oral Proficiency Interviews: The Nut is Yet to be Cracked

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parviz Birjandi ◽  
Marzieh Bagherkazemi
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Skilled Performance ◽  
The Face ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews ◽  
The Individual

The pressing need for English oral communication skills in multifarious contexts today is compelling impetus behind the large number of studies done on oral proficiency interviewing. Moreover, given the recently articulated concerns with the fairness and social dimension of such interviews, parallel concerns have been raised as to how most fairly to assess the oral communication skills of examinees, and what factors contribute to more skilled performance. This article sketches theory and practice on two rather competing formats of oral proficiency interviewing: face-to-face and paired. In the first place, it reviews the related literature on the alleged disadvantages of the individual format. Then, the pros and cons of the paired format are enumerated. It is discussed that the paired format has indeed met some of the criticisms leveled at individual oral proficiency interviewing. However, exploitation of the paired format as an undisputable alternative to the face-to-face format begs the question.

scholarly journals Blended learning and the language teacher: a literature review

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Alexandra Mendieta Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Innovative Idea ◽  
Effective Models

An innovative idea which is increasingly gaining attention is the infusion of technology into face-to-face language curricular programs.Nonetheless, although “the approach of blending Computer-assisted Language Learning (CALL) applications with face-to-face teaching andlearning is as old as CALL itself” (Neumeier, 2005, p. 163), CALL as a field still lacks qualitative research on blended learning. There is insufficientinformation about teachers’ perceptions and the roles they play in these mixed environments, and without an understanding of these features,it is difficult to create new and effective models (Grgurovic, 2010). Research has been conducted comparing learning outcomes in traditionaland blended foreign language classes, yet the various sociocultural (external) and psychological (internal) aspects that mediate teachers’and learners’ transition from face-to-face to online learning, seem to go unexamined (White, 2006). Throughout this paper, therefore, I reviewliterature on the infusion of technology into the curriculum, specifically in relation to blended learning, so as to a) illustrate teachers’ viewsabout blended leaning and their transition from face-to-face to blended/online instruction; and b) discuss ways in which future research mightprovide an alternative understanding of how language teachers manage the new-work order established by the online learning componentpresent in blended programs.

scholarly journals A Critical Review of Selected Computer Assisted Language Testing Instruments

2002 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Magdolna Feketéné Silye ◽  
Troy B. Wiwczaroski
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Testing ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Testing Instruments

Over the past few decades, a fairly large literature examining the effectiveness of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) has been developed. The findings indicate that language learners have generally positive attitudes toward using computers in the classroom. Less is known, however, about the more specific areas of computers in language testing. The purpose of this article is to examine recent developments in language testing that directly involve computer use. After a brief overview of computer-based testing (CBT) in general, web-based testing (WBT) is defined and certain issues reviewed.

scholarly journals Introducing interactive speaking tasks to improve the construct coverage of a test: A welcome change for test users?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Sobejko
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews ◽  
Problem Solving Task

The paired format of a speaking test appears to off er a more interactionally symmetric alternative to traditionally used Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPIs) (e.g., Lazaraton, 1992, 1996; van Lier, 1989). Th is article focuses on two paired tasks, a simulated discussion and a problem-solving task, which have been developed to enhance the construct of the speaking test which is currently used at the Jagiellonian Language Centre at the Jagiellonian University.

scholarly journals What kind of interaction receives high and low ratings in Oral Proficiency Interviews?

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Seedhouse
Keyword(s):  
Conversation Analysis ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
English Language ◽  
Proficiency Test ◽  
Oral Proficiency ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Lexical Choice ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews ◽  
International English

AbstractBased on a Conversation Analysis (CA) of a corpus of Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI), the study asks what kind of interaction receives high and low ratings in OPIs. The discussion focuses on issues of interactional organisation, considering turn-taking, sequence, repair and topic development in relation to candidate scores. The study presents findings of two funded studies of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Speaking Test (IST), which is one part of IELTS, a major international English proficiency test.The article explains how interaction in the IST is organised in interactional terms and how this organisation generates opportunities to differentiate high- and low-scoring interaction. The study then lists the interactional characteristics of high-scoring and low-scoring tests, based on an inductive search through the database and analysis of the micro-interaction. Extracts are presented to support characterisations. Differences in score correlate to the following interactional differences in Parts 1 and 3 of the IST: ability to answer the question, engage with and develop a topic coherently, amount of trouble and repair, lexical choice, and identity construction. In Part 2 of the IST, length of turn may also be related to score.

Collection of Ego-Centered Network Data with Computer-Assisted Interviews

Methodology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Gerich ◽  
Roland Lehner
Keyword(s):  
Survey Methods ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Dynamic Structure ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Network Data ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Full Network

Although ego-centered network data provide information that is limited in various ways as compared with full network data, an ego-centered design can be used without the need for a priori and researcher-defined network borders. Moreover, ego-centered network data can be obtained with traditional survey methods. However, due to the dynamic structure of the questionnaires involved, a great effort is required on the part of either respondents (with self-administration) or interviewers (with face-to-face interviews). As an alternative, we will show the advantages of using CASI (computer-assisted self-administered interview) methods for the collection of ego-centered network data as applied in a study on the role of social networks in substance use among college students.

The Social Consequences of Phubbing

2020 ◽  
pp. 157-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariek Vanden Abeele
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expectancy Violations ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
The Social

Recent empirical work suggests that phubbing, a term used to describe the practice of snubbing someone with a phone during a face-to-face social interaction, harms the quality of social relationships. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this chapter presents a framework that integrates three concurrent mechanisms that explain the relational impact of phubbing: expectancy violations, ostracism, and attentional conflict. Based on this framework, theoretically grounded propositions are formulated that may serve as guidelines for future research on these mechanisms, the conditions under which they operate, and a number of potential issues that need to be considered to further validate and extend the framework.

scholarly journals An approach to emerging optical and optoelectronic applications based on NiO micro- and nanostructures

Nanophotonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Taeño ◽  
David Maestre ◽  
Ana Cremades
Keyword(s):  
Gas Sensors ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Electrochromic Devices ◽  
Fuel Cell Electrodes ◽  
Magnetic Devices ◽  
Optical Microresonators ◽  
Optical Limiters ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Potential Applicability

Abstract Nickel oxide (NiO) is one of the very few p-type semiconducting oxides, the study of which is gaining increasing attention in recent years due to its potential applicability in many emerging fields of technological research. Actually, a growing number of scientific works focus on NiO-based electrochromic devices, high-frequency spintronics, fuel cell electrodes, supercapacitors, photocatalyst, chemical/gas sensors, or magnetic devices, among others. However, less has been done so far in the development of NiO-based optical devices, a field in which this versatile transition metal oxide still lags in performance despite its potential applicability. This review could contribute with novelty and new forefront insights on NiO micro and nanostructures with promising applicability in optical and optoelectronic devices. As some examples, NiO lighting devices, optical microresonators, waveguides, optical limiters, and neuromorphic applications are reviewed and analyzed in this work. These emerging functionalities, together with some other recent developments based on NiO micro and nanostructures, can open a new field of research based on this p-type material which still remains scarcely explored from an optical perspective, and would pave the way to future research and scientific advances.

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