The Effect of Formative and Summative Self-assessment of Writing on the Writing Performance and Self-rating Accuracy of Iranian EFL Learners

Document Type : research article

Authors

Abstract

This study investigated whether formative and summative self-assessments have any differential effect on the writing performance and self-rating accuracy of Iranian EFL learners. In so doing, sixty homogenized intermediate EFL learners were assigned to the two assessment conditions. After the administration of a paragraph writing pretest, the self-rating scale was introduced to the students of both groups. In the formative group, the students practiced self-assessment after each writing assignment during the term. Self-assessment error scores were, then, computed, and the students could see their accuracy extent in their self-assessment during the term. In the summative group, the students’ accuracy of self-assessment during the term was considered in their final term score. To check the students’ improvement in writing and rating accuracy, a posttest self-assessment was administered. ANCOVA results revealed under both conditions, equal improvement occurred in the students’ writing; however, the summative group students improved much more significantly in self-rating accuracy.

Keywords


منابع
Allan, D. (2004). Oxford placement test 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Andrade, H., Wang, X., D, Y., & Akawi, R. (2009). Rubric-referenced self-assessment and self-efficacy for writing. The Journal of Educational Research, 102, 287-302.
Arnaudet, M. L., & Barrett M. E. (1990). Paragraph development: A guide for students of English (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Birjandi, P. & Hadidi Tamjid, N. (2012). The role of self-, peer and teacher assessment in promoting Iranian EFL learners’ writing performance. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 37(5), 513-533.
Birjandi, P. & Siyyari, M. (2010). Self-assessment and Peer-assessment: A Comparative Study of Their Effect on Writing Performance and Rating Accuracy. Iranian Journal of Applied Linguistics,13(1). 23-45.
Birjandi, P. & Siyyari, M. (2016). Agreeableness and Conscientiousness as Predictors of University Students’ Self/Peer-assessment Rating Error. Irish Educational Studies. 35(1), (117-135).
Blanche, P. (1988). Self-assessment of foreign language skills: Implications for teachers and researchers. RELC Journal, 19(1), 75-96.
Blanche, P., & Merino, B. J. (1989). Self-assessment of foreign-language skills: Implications for teacher and researchers. Language Learning, 39(3), 313-340.
Brantmeier, C., & Vanderplank, R. (2008). Descriptive and criterion-referenced self-assessment with L2 readers, System, 36, 456-477.
Brown, J. D. (ed.) (1998). New ways of classroom assessment. Alexandria, VA: TESOL Inc.
Brown, A. (2005). Self-assessment of writing in independent languagelearning programs: The value of annotated samples. Assessing Writing, 10(3), 174-191.
Brown, J. D., & Hudson, T. (1998). The alternatives in language assessment. TESOL Quarterly, 32(4), 653-675.
Brown, J. D., & Hudson, T. (2002). Criterion-referenced language testing. Cambridge University Press.
Cheng, W., & Warren, M. (2005). Peer assessment of language proficiency.Language Testing, 22(1), 93-121.
Davidson, F., & Henning, G. (1985). A self-rating scale of English proficiency: Rasch scalar analysis of items and rating categories. Language Testing, 2(2), 164-79.
Dochy, F., & Segers, M., (1999). The Use of Self-, Peer and Co-assessment in Higher Education: A review. Studies in Higher Education, 24(3), 331-350.
Falchikov, N., & Boud, D. (1989). Student self-assessment in higher education: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 59(4), 395-430.
Falchikov, N., & Goldfinch, J. (2000). Student peer assessment in higher education: A meta-analysis comparing peer and teacher marks. Review of Educational Research, 70(3), 287-322.
Falchikov, N., Magin, D. (1997). Detecting gender bias in peer marking of students' group progress work, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 22, 385-396.
Gipps, C. V. (1994). Beyond testing: Towards a theory of educational assessment. London: The Falmer Press.
Harris, M. (1997). Self-assessment of language learning in formal settings. ELT Journal, 51, 12-20.
Heilenmann, K. L. (1990). Self-assessment of second language ability: The role of response effects. Language Testing, 7(2), 174-201.
Jacobs, H. J., Zingraf, S. A., Wormuth, D. R., Hartfiel, V. F., & Hughey, J. B. (1981). Testing ESL composition: A practical approach. Massachusetts: Newbury House.
Jafarpur, A., & Yamini, M. (1995). Do Self-Assessment and Peer-Rating Improve with Training? RELC Journal, 26(1), 63-85.
Janssen-van Dieten, A. (1989). The development of a test of Dutch as a second language: The validity of self-assessments by inexperienced subjects. Language Testing, 6(1), 30-46.
Langan, A. M., Shuker, D. M., Cullen, W. R., Penney, D., Preziosi, R. F. & Wheater, C. P. (2008). Relationships between student characteristics and self, peer and tutor evaluations of oral presentations, Assessment Evaluation in Higher Education, 3, 179-190.
Lejk, M., & Wyvill, M. (2001). Peer assessment of contributions to a group project: A comparison of holistic and category-based approaches. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 26, 62–72.
Lejk, M., & Wyvill, M. (2002). Peer Assessment of Contributions to a group project: Student attitudes to holistic and category-based approaches. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 27(6), 569-577.
Macalpine, J. M. K. (1999). Improving and encouraging peer assessment of student Presentations, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 24, 15-25.
Matsuno, S. (2009). Self-, peer-, and teacher-assessments in Japanese university EFL writing classrooms. Language Testing, 26(1), 75-100.
McKay, P. (2006). Assessing young language learners. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
Miller, P. J. (2003). The effect of scoring criteria specificity on peer and self-assessment. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 28, 383-394.
Oscarson, M. (1989). Self-assessment of language proficiency: Rationale and implications. Language Testing, 6(1), 1-13.
Patri, M. (2002). The influence of peer feedback on self-and peer assessment of oral skills. Language Testing, 19(2), 109-131.
Pope, N. (2005). The impact of stress in self- and peer-assessment. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 30, 51-63.
Ross, S. (1998). Self-assessment in second language testing: A meta-analysis and analysis of experiential factors. Language Testing 15, 1-20.
Saito, H., & Fujita, T. (2004). Characteristics and user acceptance of peer rating in EFL writing classrooms. Language Teaching Research, 8(1), 31-54.
Stefani, L. A. J. (1994). Peer, self and tutor assessment: relative reliabilities. Studies in Higher Education, 19, 69-75.
Smith, H., Cooper, A., & Lancaster, L. (2002). Improving the quality of undergraduate peer assessment: A case for student and staff development. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 39, 71-81.
Taras, M. (2001). The use of tutor feedback and student self-assessment in summative assessment tasks: Towards transparency for students and for tutors. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 26, 605-614.
Topping, K. (1998). Peer assessment between students in colleges and universities. Review of Educational Research, 68, 249–276.
Topping, K. J., Smith, E. F., Swanson, I., & Elliot, A. (2000). Formative peer assessment of academic writing between postgraduate students, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 25, 149-169.
Topping, K. (2003). Self and peer assessment in school and university: Reliability, validity and utility. In M. Segers, F. Dochy, & E. Cascallar (Eds.) Optimizing new modes of assessment: In search of qualities and standards (pp. 55-87). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Weigle, S. C. (2002). Assessing writing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Xiao, Y., & Lucking, R. (2008). The impact of two types of peer assessment on students' performance and satisfaction within a Wiki environment. Internet and Higher Education, 11, 186-193.