Thursday, August 20, 2009

Quizzes as a Student-Centred Technology


Today's computer literate children are not the least bit intimidated by technology. It then stands to reason that they would prefer the efficiency and speed of taking part in online tests. The National Capital Language Resource Center (2004) provides the insight that students internalise the characteristics of quality work by evaluating the work of their peers.

Online quizzes are a a catalyst for peer assessment, giving opportunities for students to construct the quizzes through their own research and learning. The following scenario shows how students can incorporate online quizzes as a form of peer assessment.

  1. Students are given a Webquest to correspond with a unit of work currently studied in class
  2. Webquests have been chosen due to the nature of the format.
  • Safe and investigated links are provided
  • Student centred and student paced learning activity
  • Provides opportunities for collaborative learning
  • Requires the implementation of research skills
  1. One of the tasks on the webquest is to construct a 15 question online quiz using classmarker and save the link.
  2. A Brainstorming session regarding the rules and guidelines for developing an online quiz is conducted at class level.
  3. Once completed (and viewed by Learning Manager) email the link to another class in the same year five cohort (who are currently undertaking the same unit)
  4. These students are to take the quiz and the results are viewed by their peers who constructed it.
  5. Provide a short feed back document (graphic organiser, PMI) stating constructive warm and cool feedback about the quiz, get together with the test takers and initiate discussion on answers, validity of test, what they liked/didn't like about the test.

The underpinning idea of the engagement theory is that students must participate in learning activities which allow them to be meaningfully engaged through interaction with others and worthwhile tasks. This kind of engagement is facilitated by the incorporation of technology, this level of engagement is difficult to achieve otherwise (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999). The application of quizzes through a technological medium lends itself to the fundamental structure of the engagement theory, providing high end engagement through rich tasks and peer assessment.

References

Kearsley, G., Shneiderman, B., (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved July 18, 2009, from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

The National Capital Language Resource Center, (2004). The Essentials of Language Teaching. Retrieved 20 August, 2009, from.
http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/assessing/peereval.htm

2 comments:

  1. Hi Kellie,

    As you know, i love a well planned and detailed WebQuest and the way you have utilized it here is fantastic. By the inclusion of this quiz it is not only engaging for students it provides opportunity to extend on the already detailed curriculum content. I will definitely be giving this one a go!

    Chat soon,
    Kerri.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Kerri,

    I appreciate your feedback. I think quizzes as a peer assessment tool would be really effective. Of course this would have to be scaffolded to ensure a positive outcome is achieved.

    Kellie

    ReplyDelete