Comments on: I’m not counting down yet, but I’m close. http://blog.torgodevil.com/archives/584 Crunky! This is a blog about an English teacher living in South Korea. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:33:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: torgodevil http://blog.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2829 torgodevil Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:48:15 +0000 http://www.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2829 While the computerized tests are norm-referenced, the iBT stuff I teach is Standard Referenced. So basically, one is "This is how much you suck compared to everyone else", and the other one is "This is what you need to do to pass with THIS score." While the computerized tests are norm-referenced, the iBT stuff I teach is Standard Referenced. So basically, one is “This is how much you suck compared to everyone else”, and the other one is “This is what you need to do to pass with THIS score.”

]]> By: Eric http://blog.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2826 Eric Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:34:18 +0000 http://www.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2826 Norm-referenced is based on the performance of other students. Data is collected and they sort of game what an acceptable score would be based on student performance. Having temped at a test scoring center, there seems to be some fuzzy math going on. In my opinion, it creates a slippery slope of assessment and accountability. Standard-referenced scoring is more objective, as long as the standard for which you are testing is properly observable and measurable from a scientific perspective. For instance, "Student will learn English" is too broad with too few (or perhaps too many) criteria by which one can judge whether or not the standard has been met. "Student will be able to correctly form the /a/ phoneme" might be a better way to go. Now, through the dark art of statistics, you can compare student performance on standard-referenced tests to find out how many kids are meetings certain standards. This is not supposed to be used to change the standard to to mark progress towards it...despite the influence of No Child Left Behind on American elementary education. Norm-referenced is based on the performance of other students. Data is collected and they sort of game what an acceptable score would be based on student performance. Having temped at a test scoring center, there seems to be some fuzzy math going on. In my opinion, it creates a slippery slope of assessment and accountability.

Standard-referenced scoring is more objective, as long as the standard for which you are testing is properly observable and measurable from a scientific perspective. For instance, “Student will learn English” is too broad with too few (or perhaps too many) criteria by which one can judge whether or not the standard has been met. “Student will be able to correctly form the /a/ phoneme” might be a better way to go.

Now, through the dark art of statistics, you can compare student performance on standard-referenced tests to find out how many kids are meetings certain standards. This is not supposed to be used to change the standard to to mark progress towards it…despite the influence of No Child Left Behind on American elementary education.

]]> By: torgodevil http://blog.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2825 torgodevil Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:20:18 +0000 http://www.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2825 Is the scoring completely norm-referenced or is there standard-referenced assessment as well? What are the criteria for each? I'm not sure, entirely. I know it's compared by their own performance, and the performance of their peers, but I don't know if there is some sort of mythical "Passing Grade" too. I'm worried about the quality of the food I'm going to be eating actually. We're traveling on a budget, and we really can't splurge on too many trips to cafes or nice restaurants. I just want to avoid eating fast food if possible. I've got several more flash cards for pictures, and if I eat anything good, I'll try to snap a picture. Is the scoring completely norm-referenced or is there standard-referenced assessment as well?

What are the criteria for each? I’m not sure, entirely. I know it’s compared by their own performance, and the performance of their peers, but I don’t know if there is some sort of mythical “Passing Grade” too.

I’m worried about the quality of the food I’m going to be eating actually. We’re traveling on a budget, and we really can’t splurge on too many trips to cafes or nice restaurants. I just want to avoid eating fast food if possible.

I’ve got several more flash cards for pictures, and if I eat anything good, I’ll try to snap a picture.

]]> By: Eric http://blog.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2824 Eric Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:19:34 +0000 http://www.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2824 "You don't have to be the smartest. You just need to be smarter than everyone else in the class" - Chris Reis Is the scoring completely norm-referenced or is there standard-referenced assessment as well? “You don’t have to be the smartest. You just need to be smarter than everyone else in the class” - Chris Reis

Is the scoring completely norm-referenced or is there standard-referenced assessment as well?

]]> By: ZenKimchi http://blog.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2823 ZenKimchi Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:38:51 +0000 http://www.torgodevil.com/archives/584#comment-2823 I really envy your trip to Europe. I have considered it, particularly southern Germany, my second home until I came to Asia. My stepmother currently resides there, and I miss it so badly. PLEASE -- take good pics and share with us, especially the FOOD. I really envy your trip to Europe. I have considered it, particularly southern Germany, my second home until I came to Asia. My stepmother currently resides there, and I miss it so badly.

PLEASE — take good pics and share with us, especially the FOOD.

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