Evaluation and Testing

What’s Evaluation? It is the process that determines the effectiveness of a program in the light of the attainment of pre-set priorities and goals. It identifies a program’s weaknesses and strengths and the areas of the program that need revision.

Types of Evaluation Formative Evaluation Summative Evaluation An evaluation plan may have two different focuses: Formative Evaluation Summative Evaluation

Formative Evaluation Formative evaluation is designed to collect data while a program is being developed with the intention to improve it. It focuses on the process. Examples Here are some examples of formative evaluation: Testing the arrangement of lessons in a primer before its publication. Collecting continuous feedback from participants in a program in order to revise the program as needed.

Summative Evaluation Summative evaluation is designed to gather conclusive data that indicates how effective the overall program is. Summative evaluation results in decisions to continue or not a program. The focus is on the outcome . Examples   Here are some examples of summative evaluation: Determining attitudes and achievements related to using a primer after it has been used in a training course . Collecting data on the impact of a program operating in a community for a period of time .

Why Evaluate? Evaluation not only measures how well you are doing, but also helps you to be more effective. Evaluation has two main purposes: *For learning and development: *For accountability: to help you assess how well you are doing in order to help you do it better. It is about asking what has happened and what is and what is not working. to show others that you are effective and to demonstrate achievements.

Assessment The term assessment refers to the systematic gathering of information about component parts of the thing to be evaluated. The evaluation process is broader than assessment and involves examining information about many components of the thing being evaluated and making judgments about its worth or effectiveness.

Types of Assessment Assessment Tests Teacher’s assessment On-going assessment Self-assessment Portfolio

Types of assessment Teacher’s assessment On-going assessment The teacher gives subjective estimate of the learners' overall performance. On-going assessment The final grade is some kind of a combination of the grades the learners receive for various assessments during the course.  Self-assessment The learners themselves evaluate their own performance. Portfolio The learners gather a collection of assignments and projects done over a long period into a file; and this portfolio provides the basis for evaluation.

Testing Testing plays a vital role in the teaching-learning process. It enables teachers and pupils to evaluate the achievement of their goals. Teachers can track the progress of their pupils; that is, how well they are mastering the content so that their teachers can determine or modify their plans to meet the problems faced by pupils. Moreover, pupils benefit from tests: they stimulate them to pay closer attention to the material. They also give them feedback about the strong and weak areas in their performance, so that they can remedy their weaknesses.

Functions of Tests 1. Testing helps teachers to give their learners valid and reliable grades. 2. It motivates and directs learners' learning. 3. Testing and teaching are related parts of the total educational process. 4.Testing gives the teacher a clear idea about his pupils' progress. 5. It helps the teacher evaluate the effectiveness of his teaching techniques. 6. It provides the school with the required statistical information. 7. It gives parents a clear idea about the pupils' progress. 8. It creates an air of competition in the classroom.

What to do with test results? Results of tests help us in three different dimensions: The curriculum Examples: Is there too much or too little emphasis on listening/ reading comprehension? Should more time be given to grammatical functions? How is fluency developed? Does some aspects of the curriculum need modification? The materials Examples: Are they effective? Do they provide a variety of situation? Are there sufficient activities that cater for group, pair or individual practice?   The teachers Examples: Are they motivating factors? Do they involve all pupils in each lesson? Do they praise them? Do they correct them gently?

What makes agood test? Validity Reliability Authenticity Practicality Comprehensiveness Relevance Difficulty Clarity Balance Objectivity Economy Time

pieces of advice 1. There should be a correlation between testing and teaching. 2. Before testing day, pupils are usually nervous, do your best to change this attitude. 3. Questions should be straightforward and limited to the work given in the class. 4. Don’t assume that something related to something taught is known by pupils. 5. Don’t encourage the habit of studying just the night before the test. 6. Daily and on-going assessment is a testing procedure. 7. Following any test, teachers should review the correct and incorrect answers in a collective work. 8. A remedial plan then should be initiated.