Engendering assessment literacy:
Narrowing the gap between teachers and testers
Appendix A:
Two poems about testing, assessment, and teaching by the author
| 1. TeACHErs? |
|
Are most teachers teachers or mechanical teaching machines? Do they see students as independent learners or just objects to be lectured to and injected with ideologies? Do they view classrooms as places for discovery or merely worker training factories? Do they regard errors as interesting conjectures or aberrations to be covered with ink? The next time you enter a classroom take a moment to think: What do you care about most - rituals fostering mediocrity? standard tests measuring trivial things? or perhaps helping people discover their dreams? (from Crassroom Voices, p. 58) |
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| 2. ABC University |
|
Welcome to ABC University - a place to get a manufactured degree with little scholastic effort and lots of money. After receiving your bank deposit and conducting a few perfunctory tests you'll receive a student number and nominal syllabus. Lessons are in sterile, stuffy rooms by undistinguished staff unclear what to do. Semester finals consist of hazy, multiple-choice mazes full of ambiguity 'n error – but hey, we quickly churn out grades! We're proud of our university's rich heritage – and especially our wealthy alumni who protect the status quo insuring that a fixed quota of bodies enter our doors 'n commericalism thrives. (from Crassroom Voices, p. 43) |
| Main Article | Appendix A | Appendix B |
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Copyright (c) 2007 by Tim Newfields
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