Basics of Testing and Assessment

Bachelor 2021/2022

Type: Elective course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)

Area of studies: Linguistics

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

Where: School of Foreign Languages

When: 4 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 20

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Svetlana Victorovna Bogolepova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 6

Contact hours: 38

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

In the course, you will learn how test items are created and assessment criteria are designed. You will analyse existing tests, both national and international, and thus you will understand how receptive and productive skills and use of English can be assessed. You will try designing tests and test specifications. We will also discuss the limitations of formal testing and speak about formative and alternative assessment. To take the course, you are expected to have C1 level in the English language.

Learning Objectives

to raise awareness of various approaches to testing and assessment
to be able to design assessment tasks and specifications
to be able to design assessment criteria for various purposes

Expected Learning Outcomes

align test items with learning objectives
appropriately conduct classroom assessment
define validity, reliability, and other psychometric characteristics
design multiple choice tasks, cloze tasks, etc.
design open test tasks and assessment criteria for such tasks
design tasks and assessment criteria for performance assessment and integrated assessment
design tasks to test listening and reading
design test specifications
designing assessment criteria for productive skills and tasks
designing tasks to assess productive skills
differentiate between evaluation, testing and assessment
differentiate between possible test tasks
select texts for the assessment of receptive skills
use CEFR as a benchmark for assessment

Course Contents

Tests and testing. Psychometric characteristics of tests.
Types of test tasks. Aligning test items with learning objectives. Test specifications.
Creating closed test items.
Creating open test tasks. Designing assessment criteria for such tasks.
Assessing receptive skills.
Assessing productive skills.
Integrated assessment. Performance assessment.
Formal and informal assessment. Formative assessment.

Assessment Elements

Class participation
Tests (SmartLMS)
Grades are rounded up from .6. For example, 5.5 equals 5, 5.6 equals 6.
Project
Examination
The examination is written. It's an essay submitted vis SmartLMS. Grades are rounded up from .6. For example, 5.5 equals 5, 5.6 equals 6. Those who have an average of 8 or higher may choose not to sit the exam.

Interim Assessment

2021/2022 2nd module
0.25 * Tests (SmartLMS) + 0.25 * Project + 0.25 * Class participation + 0.25 * Examination

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Denison, D. B., & Secolsky, C. (2012). Handbook on Measurement, Assessment, and Evaluation in Higher Education. Routledge.
Еныгин Д.В., Зарудная М.В., Фоминых Н.Ю. - All around testing - Русайнс - 2020 - ISBN: 978-5-4365-2402-3 - Текст электронный // ЭБС BOOKRU - URL: https://book.ru/book/934936

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Abdullah Al Fraidan. (2019). New test-taking patterns and their effect on language test validity. Language Testing in Asia, (1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-019-0088-5

Course Syllabus