Assigned Reading Reflections (Assessment-2/Week15-4/20/2009)

This week the reading assignment is about classroom-based assessment. In chapter 24 Brown discusses the topic. Firstly, he explains the difference between the norm-referenced and criterion referenced testing. Secondly, some practical steps to test construction such as identifying clear objectives, drafting the test, revising the test etc.. Thirdly, some fundamentals of testing are described in the book such as validity, wasback, and authenticity etc.
Brown also discusses alternatives in assessment. Portfolios, journals, conferences, and observations are discussed in details. In my opinion if the test is not high-stake then alternatives in assessment might be useful. Because in this kind of assessment teacher has a chance to scaffold the students better and since students are not supposed to take the test in certain time and setting they are friendlier.
In terms of comparing tests to alternatives in assessment, for example for a medicine doctor it is essential that for decision makers to be sure that he is qualified to does that job. If he is not well qualified then the results might be severe for patients. On the other hand, in terms of life-long learning I think alternatives in assessment are useful. Since the aim here is to develop the society it had better to facilitate learners instead of putting them under the pressure by asking them to take stressful test within certain times. To decide what kind of assessments we should apply it is essential to consider the aim of learning activities so that it can be decided if it is appropriate or not.