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Book: Assessment Across Online Language Education

Chapter: 8. Innovative Implementation of a Web-Based Rating System for Individualizing Online English Speaking Instruction

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.34392

Blurb:

Technology offers unique features for integrating assessment of and for language learning in online instructional environments. This chapter focuses on validating the diagnostic uses of a web-based rating platform called R-PLAT, which captures multiple aspects of language performance that can serve as diagnostic evidence needed to inform transitioning from a face-to-face speaking course to a more individual ability tailored online mode. Empirical evidence obtained from quantitative and qualitative data supports the judgmental assumption that the diagnostic descriptors recorded via R-PLAT are indicative of target speaking ability levels used for placement into proficiency-based levels of the course. Overall, this work presents an example of how theoretically-grounded evaluation frameworks can serve to overarch the validation of the uses of computer-based assessment tools for the purpose of shaping a strong learner fit quality for online language teaching.

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