Atıf İçin Kopyala
Kızılcık H. H., Çopur D.
IATEFL Testing, Evaluation and Assessment SIG Conference: Language testing: Current trends and future needs., Granada, İspanya, 23 - 25 Ekim 2014
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Yayın Türü:
Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
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Basıldığı Şehir:
Granada
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Basıldığı Ülke:
İspanya
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Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli:
Evet
Özet
Tests as Security Valves: Backwash Effect on Course
Syllabus
The six stages of Brown’s curriculum
design are specified as needs analysis, objectives, testing, materials design,
instruction and evaluation (1995). Testing is before materials design and
instruction because in this way, the program is not run by the materials and
instruction, and objectives identified through needs analysis are in the
foreground. Testing serves as “a security valve” for the program.
This case study illustrates how tests
function as a security valve in programs. As the researchers carried out a
program evaluation study in ENG 311 Advanced Communication Skills course
offered by the Department of Modern Languages in Middle East Technical
University, Ankara, Turkey, they discovered the conflict between the course
coordinator, test writers, course instructors and students in relation to the
exam content. Validity and reliability concerns were constantly raised in the
meetings.
The study data was collected from a
variety of sources including the course syllabus, test specifications, meeting
minutes, classroom observations, student questionnaire and focus group
interview. Analysing the data, the researchers prepared a validity and
reliability frame. This frame revealed that the course syllabus was in need of
revision.
In this
presentation, the participants will learn how problems in the test revealed the
underlying problems in the syllabus design. The validity and reliability frame
and suggestions the researchers made for the course coordinator and test
writers will be shared.