This document discusses alternative assessment and provides examples of techniques. It begins by stating the objectives are to explain alternative assessment, identify benefits, and experience techniques. It then defines key concepts like authenticity and clear criteria. Some benefits listed are evaluating the learning process and product, and promoting autonomous learning. Examples provided include portfolios, interviews, presentations, and discussions assessed through checklists and student feedback. The document emphasizes patience in implementing new strategies and provides references for further information.

2. OBJECTIVES
To explain the concept of alternative assessment.
To identify benefits of alternative assessment.
To experience and analyze some alternative assessment
techniques.

3. WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT?

4. CLARIFYING CONCEPTS
Testing vs
Assessment
Formative vs
Evaluative
Formative
Assessment
Testing
Where are
my SS?
Evaluative
What
decisions to
make?

5. KEY CONCEPTS IN ALTERNATIVE
ASSESSMENT
• Authenticity (Real life task)
• Communicative (Knowledge vs. Performance)
• Clear criteria (What to evaluate)
• Opportunities for self/peer assessment

6. SOME BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE
ASSESSMENT
• Evaluate the process and product of learning
• Evaluate and monitor instruction
• Support students’ psychologically
• Promote autonomous and self-directed learning.

7. EXAMPLES

8. PORTFOLIO
• Collection of ss’ work
• Correction by teacher/classmates
• A piece of work ss can feel proud of

9. I SAID WHAT?
(recorder needed)
In pairs Ss interview each other and record
Ss listen to their responses
Ss identify their mistakes and plan how to correct them

10. HOW DID YOU LIKE MY PRESENTATION?
Prepare a checklist with defined criteria
Option: Criteria may be negotiated with students.
Ss perform their presentations
A peer (friend) evaluates the presentation.
ASPECT
Grammar
Vocabulary
Fluidity
Clarity
TOTAL
Good
5-4
Acceptable
3-2
Needs
improvemen
t
1-0
Score

11. HOW DID YOU LIKE MY PRESENTATION?
Do you agree or disagree with the next idea? Teachers need to have a high level
of self motivation.
ASPECT
ORGANIZATION
Interesting intro.
Clear transitions
SUPPORT
Adequate examples
Detailed info.
TIME
Sticks to time limit
TOTAL(max. 10)
Good
2
Acceptable
1
Needs
improvement
0
Score

12. PICTURE DISCUSSION
Good for grammar
Show a picture
In pairs or groups Ss write as many examples as possible.
In pairs or groups Ss correct their classmates’ examples

13. THREE-SENTENCE-SPEECH SPEAKING TEST
TSSST
T launches a question
Ss answer the questions with at least three sentences
Ss share
• What’s your favorite
vacation place?
•
•
•
My favorite vacation place
is Paracas.
Paracas is beautiful.
The Candelabro is located
in Paracas.

14. Q.E.R.O
Ss write a QUESTION using a specific grammar structure
Ss ask the question to one classmate plus a follow-up question for EXTRA
info.
Ss REPORT their first findings to a new classmate.
As a whole class Ss explain their OPINIONS about the activity.

15. PLANNING MY LEARNING
Assign homework/task
Distribute an agenda with detailed steps
Teach ss to use the agenda by checking on steps they have been completing
Set up deadlines for the steps (Time management)
Select an
artist
Research
his/her
bio
Write 6
sentences
Check for
errors
PracticePronunci
ation
Present it

16. IMPORTANT
Remember to be patient when implementing the strategies. In language
teaching, as in education in general, there is no “magic wand” to solve
all problems at once.

17. REFERENCES
J.D. Brown,
“New ways of classroom assessment”
Douglas Brown,
“Principles of language assessment”
Shaping the
way we teach,
“Module 10: Alternative assessment”
NCLR
“Alternative assessment” at
http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/index.htm

18. LEARN MORE ABOUT LANGUAGE TEACHING
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