ERIC Number: EJ1166070
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Jan
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0007-1013
EISSN: N/A
An Inquiry into the Efficiency of WhatsApp for Self- and Peer-Assessments of Oral Language Proficiency
Samaie, Mahmoud; Mansouri Nejad, Ali; Qaracholloo, Mahmoud
British Journal of Educational Technology, v49 n1 p111-126 Jan 2018
Social networking applications such as WhatsApp have been extensively used for language research; however, they have rarely been applied for language assessment purposes. To explore the efficiency of WhatsApp for assessment purposes, 30 Iranian English learners doing self- and peer-assessments on WhatsApp are studied. The changes and the reasons for the changes in their attitudes towards the two assessment types are also investigated. In a multi-phase study, the participants were trained on the new concepts of mobile-assisted self- and peer-assessments. They were also involved in the concurrent tasks of self- and peer-assessments as well as think-aloud protocols and filled out four attitude questionnaires before and after their involvement in the two assessment types. Finally, they were interviewed for the reasons of change(s) in their attitudes. The "t"-test and think-aloud results show that though the participants assigned different grades to themselves and their peers, this is not a procedural difference. The questionnaire results show that the participants generally adopted negative attitudes towards mobile-assisted assessments after being involved in them. They also gave various reasons for the change(s) in their attitudes. The results can substantially contribute to the ongoing debates on the use of alternative assessments through mobile device applications.
Descriptors: Oral Language, Language Proficiency, Computer Software, Social Networks, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Questionnaires, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Peer Evaluation, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Interviews, Student Attitudes, Protocol Analysis, Attitude Change, Negative Attitudes, Evaluation Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iran
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A