SALRC Assessment Institute

Developing Assessments for South Asian Languages

June 12-16, 2006

Readings | Schedule | Participants | Questionnaire | Workshop Home

Schedule

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday

Monday, June12th, 9 AM - 1 PM

Assessment Concepts and Theory

  • Matching assessment type to purpose
  • Guidelines and Standards
  • Samples of assessment types

Readings:

Recommended Readings and Materials:

  • Bailey, K. M. (1998). Learning about language assessment. Cambridge, MA: Heinle and Heinle.
  • Cohen, A. D. (1994a). Assessing language ability in the classroom. 2nd Edition. Boston: Newbury House/Heinle & Heinle.
  • Genesee, F. and J. Upshur. (1996). Classroom-based evaluation in second language education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Hall, R. Virtual lessons on Behaviorist Theory, Information Processing/Cognitive Theory, Constructivist Theory, and Assessment. http://web.umr.edu/~rhall/ed_psych/index.htm
  • Video FAQs Introducing Topics in Language Testing from Glenn Fulcher & Randy Thrasher is featured on the International Language Testing Association’s web site. Topics covered by the seven minute videos include reliability, validity, test impact, test specifications, writing test items, pre-testing, testing: listening, speaking, reading, writing, statistics, testing for specific purposes.

Tuesday, June 13th, 9 AM - 1 PM

Assessing for Proficiency

  • Models for Speaking and Writing Assessment
  • Portfolio Assessment
  • Rating Scales

Readings:

Recommended Readings:

Wednesday, June 14, 9 AM - 1 PM

Assessing for Proficiency cont'd.

  • Developing Reading and Listening Assessments
  • Backwards Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 1998)

Readings:

Recommended Readings:

  • Alderson, J. C. (2000). Assessing reading. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  • Buck, G. (2001). Assessing listening. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 5: Creating Tasks. p. 116-153.
  • Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (1998). Understanding by Design. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and curriculum Development.

Thursday, June 15, 9 AM - 1 PM

  • Integrated Performance Assessments
  • Integrating Technology with Assessments 11:00 – 1:00
  • Participant presentations of sample assessments using technology

Readings and Resources:

Recommended Readings:

Friday, June 16, 9 AM - 1 PM

  • Planning for Comprehensive Assessment
  • Participants' presentations – 11:30 AM
  • Demonstration of Speaking and Writing Assessment
  • Demonstration of Integrated performance assessments

Recommended Readings and Resources:

  • CARLA’s Virtual Assessment center is a web-based learning module that provides teachers with background information, step-by-step guidance and MANY practical resources on developing second language assessments, standards and teaching. Links to articles, other useful sites, student work and state standards web sites.

    The components of the VAC provide you with background information, examples to download, a reflection and a resources section that provides annotated links to useful sites on assessment. Featured also is a theory and test development section and a link to an annotated assessment bibliography.