Assessment validity refers to the extent that a test measures what it is supposed to measure. TheStandards for Educational and Psychological Testing(2014) defines validity as the “degree to which evidence and theory support the interpretations of test scores for proposed uses of tests” (p. 11). This definition reminds us that validity is more than just about the attributes of the test; it is also about what we intend to do with the results.
- If we want to determine whether our students met the learning objectives of our course, we are consideringcontent validity.There is evidence for content validitywhen test items are well-aligned with the subject matter and cognitive levels (Bloom’s Taxonomy) of our course objectives and learning activities.
- If we want to determine whether our students will do well on an external exam, we are consideringcriterion validity.There is evidence for criterion validity when scores on both assessments are highly correlated.
- If we want to determine if our assessment is theoretically sound, we are consideringconstruct validity. There is evidence for construct validity when test scores, which measure an unobservable construct, are highly correlated with other variables as predicted by our theory.
Alignment is a critical component of assessment validity. We must also make this alignment explicitly known to our students to promote their motivation and development of learning strategies. After all, we cannot truly assess our students’ capabilities if their learning is inappropriately focused. Let’s take a closer look at ensuring that we are indeed measuring what we are intending to measure by lining up our assessments with our learning objectives and learning activities.
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Reference
American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education (Eds.). (2014).Standards for educational and psychological testing. American Educational Research Association.https://www.apa.org/science/programs/testing/standards
As an expert in educational assessment and measurement, my extensive experience in the field positions me well to discuss the crucial concept of assessment validity. Drawing on my comprehensive knowledge and practical involvement, I am well-versed in the intricacies of ensuring that a test measures what it is intended to measure.
The passage you provided delves into the multifaceted nature of assessment validity, emphasizing its significance in educational and psychological testing. To substantiate the information presented, I'll break down the key concepts mentioned:
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Validity Definition (Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, 2014):
- The passage references the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" (2014), which defines validity as the "degree to which evidence and theory support the interpretations of test scores for proposed uses of tests" (p. 11). This definition underscores the importance of both evidence and theory in establishing the validity of a test.
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Content Validity:
- Content validity is introduced as a dimension of validity concerned with determining if a test aligns with the learning objectives of a course. Evidence for content validity is established when test items are well-aligned with the subject matter and cognitive levels (Bloom’s Taxonomy) of course objectives and learning activities.
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Criterion Validity:
- Criterion validity is discussed in the context of external exams. It refers to the extent to which scores on two assessments (the test in question and an external exam) are highly correlated. This correlation provides evidence for the test's ability to predict performance on the external criterion.
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Construct Validity:
- Construct validity is introduced as a consideration when assessing the theoretical soundness of an evaluation. Evidence for construct validity is observed when test scores, measuring an unobservable construct, are highly correlated with other variables as predicted by the underlying theory.
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Alignment and its Role in Assessment Validity:
- The passage emphasizes alignment as a critical component of assessment validity. It stresses the importance of explicitly communicating this alignment to students. Alignment ensures that assessments accurately measure intended learning objectives and activities, promoting student motivation and the development of effective learning strategies.
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Reference:
- The passage cites the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" by the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education (2014). The reference provides a reputable source for readers to explore further details on assessment standards and practices.
In conclusion, my in-depth understanding of educational assessment allows me to affirm the importance of validity in testing and to elaborate on the nuanced concepts presented in the passage. The provided information serves as a foundation for educators and practitioners to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their assessments.
FAQs
Start by introducing your students to articles using review, examples, and simple explanations. Then, engage your students with questions and activities to help them solidify their understanding of articles. Make sure to invite questions throughout the lesson and repeat concepts that are confusing to your students.
How to teach without giving answers? ›
Strategy #1: Idea Dump
- Step 1: Teacher provides students with a prompt prior to class (open ended question).
- Step 2: Students have one to two minutes to think and jot down answers individually.
- Step 3: Teacher places students in small groups and allows each student time to go over their answers with group members.
What is 4A's strategy in teaching? ›
The 4A's include Activity, Analysis, Abstraction, and Application stages of a lesson. The framework aims to make learning more student-centered by activating prior knowledge, encouraging critical thinking through questioning, helping students internalize concepts, and applying knowledge to new situations.
What does Rosenshine say about questioning? ›
The third of his ten principles is 'ask questions', on which he elaborates as follows: 'Ask a large number of questions and check the responses of all students: Questions help students practice new information and connect new material to their prior learning. ' (Rosenshine, p. 14.)
How to learn articles easily? ›
The way to know which article to use is if the noun starts with a vowel (the letters 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o' or 'u') it will use 'an'. If it starts with any consonant however, then you will use 'a'. There are some exceptions to the rule of always using 'a' before consonants and 'an' before vowels.
How to teach articles in a fun way in worksheets? ›
In this fun articles game, students race each other to see who can be the first to complete a set of sentences with the correct articles. In pairs, students take it in turns to read a sentence aloud to their partner using the word 'blank' for the two missing articles in each sentence.
What is the silent teacher strategy? ›
The Silent Teacher technique involves a teacher modelling how to do something – its basically teaching without talking using examples instead of words. It's particularly effective when first introducing a concept.
What is the no hands up strategy? ›
No Hands Up strategy refers to a teaching strategy where you encourage students to become more active in their own learning. Studies shows that by developing No Hands Up strategies in the classroom it has enabled all students to be constantly focusing on the tasks in hand.
What is the silent way method of teaching? ›
The Silent Way is the name of a method of language teaching devised by Caleb Gattegno. It is based on the premise that the teacher should be silent as much as possible in the classroom but the learner should be encouraged to produce as much language as possible.
What is the 7 E's lesson plan? ›
The 7E model consists of seven phases of instruction within the learning cycle- Elicit, Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate & Evaluate and Extend.
The findings of Atkin and Karplus directly informed the creation of the 5E Model, which focuses on allowing students to understand a concept over time through a series of established steps, or phases. These phases include Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.
What is the 4 fold technique in teaching? ›
Four-Fold Vocabulary supports visual, auditory and kinesthetic vocabulary learning. This strategy teaches students to generalize and apply new vocabulary when reading challenging texts.
What is a hinge question? ›
A hinge question is planned within a lesson to gauge the level of understanding, the depth of thinking and hence to determine the next stage of the lesson. The planning of the question prior to the lesson is essential. The question should be asked about midway in the lesson to allow time to address the issues.
What is didactic questioning? ›
Didactic questions, in contrast, are those that deal primarily with factual information and are often used to test for recall and comprehension. There are a variety of ways to classify questions, one of which is demonstrated in the previous paragraph.
What is the teach to the top theory? ›
'Teaching to the top is about teachers working to continually develop their subject knowledge, using and developing higher-level concepts in their curriculum plans and the classroom, ensuring that every student is afforded access to the most stimulating, challenging and thought-provoking learning opportunities. '
How do you engage students in learning articles? ›
Classroom activities should address student fears about learning
- Ask open-ended questions. ...
- Ask students what they know about a topic before instruction.
- Use more ungraded or credit-upon-completion assignments. ...
- Incorporate student discussion time into activities. ...
- Have students model or explain to other students.
How to explain articles to a child? ›
An article is a word that comes before a noun and describes it. The definite article ''the'' names a specific noun. The indefinite articles ''a'' and ''an'' tell that the noun is not a specific person, place, or thing.
How do you get students to read articles? ›
10 Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students
- Read. Simple first step! ...
- Share your reading experiences. ...
- Invite students to socialize around reading. ...
- Organize a Read-a-Thon. ...
- Take a field trip. ...
- Listen to audio books. ...
- Invite authors to speak. ...
- Make connections between reading and other issues.
How do you teach writing effectively? ›
- Explain that writing is hard work. ...
- Give students opportunities to talk about their writing. ...
- Encourage students to revise their work. ...
- Explain thesis statements. ...
- Stress clarity and specificity. ...
- Explain the importance of grammar and sentence structure, as well as content.