Methods of Language Assessment

Catalog description

Introduces methodology for selecting, developing, applying, and analyzing tests and questionnaires for research and evaluation in communication and language education. APLNG 583APLNG 583 Methods of Language Assessment (3)This course introduces standard methodology for selecting, writing, and analyzing language tests and research questionnaires. Major focus will be given to reliability and validity issues and the study of current testing research paradigms. Course activities will include reading texts and articles, completing assigned exercises, writing and analyzing a testing/questionnaire instrument, and the preparation and presentation of a research paper reporting test development findings or addressing an approved assessment issue.The course is aimed at promoting the skills necessary to be effective judges and developers of language tests. This will involve learning to conduct item analyses, to understand principles of classical and item response measurement theory, to appreciate current and past language assessment issues, to carry out appropriate statistical analyses by computer or calculator, and to produce assessment research of publishable quality. In addition, the course will provide introduction to issues in latent trait/item response theory, item banking, computer adaptive testing, and instructional program evaluation.Faculty: Karen Johnson