Meeting 11 • 12 February 2008 • Tuesday

Version:
2/18/08

Today

(X) = anticipated time in minutes
Key to notes added AFTER the class meetsL
√ = topic / activity that was adequately dealt with during the class
+ = topic needs more attention & will be resumed at next / subsequent meeting(s)
- = a topic / activity that was proposed but not carried out
Struckthrough text like this = a topic / activity that was proposed but not included is not going to be taken up after all
Italic text like this = comments after the meeting

Main Topic(s): esource searching; teaching & testing writing, listening, reading

(5) Last week's AL job candidate for their position in assessment.

(45) Researching the secondary literature in our profession

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(10 - if time) Synthesis about several matters (cont'd.): group discussion about two particularly problematic issues: "standardized test", "standards-based education", and "teaching to the test"; starter topic: what do you think the WA math test looks like? How might the various stakeholders respond to it? (If we don't have time for this, try holding your own discussion, whether in your own head or with a classmate.)

(10) Break: Go get your coffee or your snack, but bring it back. We'll start promptly after 10 minutes, with or without you!

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(30) Teaching and assessing writing: the situation in TESOL and (if anyone in the group knows, English); the situation in FL ("snapshot" ratings of ACTFL proficiency; written vs. Writing; "schizophrenia" of conventional FL workbook-type exercises); and in PSU FLL (assessment activities); ACTFL Writing Proficiency Guidelines; an article about responding to student writing (0009, Barnett).

(10) Assignment 4: Create a scoring guide for a language learning activity (due Tuesday, 19 February (NOTE change in due date from previous meeting); scoring guide to come shortly, since people are now getting addicted to them :-)

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(10) Major project update: 1) Atkinson situation; 2) (Project specifications are on the outline for meeting #7 29 January [slightly modified from that meeting, to specify the narration/ description])

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(10) More about the FL and AL "cultures": the background and professional pursuits of the course instructors (here Fischer: overview • more about projects & publications)


Upcoming class meetings (14 February 2008, Thursday)

We're inviting some "celebrities" to come tell us about high-level assessments that they do. Stay tuned.

Upcoming assignment(s)

This section offers a PREVIEW, not activated assignments. Assignments are made, with announcement of their deadlines, both in class and on the "schedule" page.

We have again revised (downward!) the list of assignments for the course. More about that soon.

Announcements

Check with AL or Sara/Fischer about upcoming visits from AL job candidates. All of them are connected to assessment and (FL people please note) two of them have extensive FL experience.

Misc.

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