Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-52).

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This research dealt with the use of oral individual testing as a teaching technique, as well as an evaluative tool. The research was also concerned with students' self-concept, nervous anxiety level, and attitude toward testing. The purpose was to increase student comprehension of content material, and through practice and feedback, raise students' self-concept and reduce his/her nervous anxiety. The four research hypotheses were: (1) there will be a difference in ability to take and pass tests and improve test scores; (2) there will be a difference in student attitude toward oral and written testing; (3) there will be a difference in student self-concept; and (4) there will be a difference in nervous anxiety level. All of these differences were shown over a two-semester span of the experiment. The sample consisted of 33 anatomy-physiology students enrolled in two sections taught by the researcher. Students within each of the experimental classes were assigned to two groups of equal numbers of students which alternated between written and oral testing throughout a two-semester sequence. Instruments used in this study included teacher constructed tests on the human anatomical and physiological systems. The format was identical for both oral and written testing on a particular system. Data were gathered on all test scores: medians, modes, means, and standard deviations were computed. Statistical data included a two-way analysis of variance, tukey HSD and Scheffe Post Hoc Tests, Reliability and Internal Consistency computer checks on teacher made tests, Likert attitudinal scales, and Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis. A researcher-student developed five-point Likert was used to measure student attitude toward oral and written tests. The Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis was used to gather pre and post data on self-concept and nervous anxiety levels. Individual student test score profiles showed change in ability to take and pass tests, as well as an improvement trend over the two-semester sequence. These were graphed by individual, and by class, for comparison. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in oral and written test scores, so post hoc tests were used to detect these differences. The analysis indicated students were able to improve test taking ability enough to change ranks within the class itself. Students consistently scored higher on oral ests than on written tests of identical format. Reliability and internal consistency checks on teacher made tests showed .95 and .97 consistency on oral and written tests, respectively. Likert scales showed data strongly supporting a student preference for oral testing. This preference included the ability to better tell what they knew; the ability to verbalize, hear and elaborate. Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis, pre and post testing, showed a significant rise in self-concept and a decrease in nervous anxiety level over the research time span. Interpretation of the data led to the rejection of the four null hypotheses and to the acceptance of the four research or alternative hypotheses. Repetition of this research using larger numbers of students in different subjects, and by different teachers in a variety of grade levels, would increase the viability of these data and challenge others to try oral individual testing as an alternative method of testing. This, then, would serve as a learning tool for the student as well as an evaluative tool for the teacher.

Afrikaans text / In hierdie studie is die ontwikkeling van 'n meetmiddel vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid ondersoek. Relevante literatuur is bestudeer om duidelikheid te verkry oor die begrip mondelinge taalvaardigheid en die belangrikheid daarvan as sleutel tot kommunikasie, oor die probleme random mondelinge taalvaardigheid, die onderrig daarvan, die evaluering daarvan en die probleme wat met die evaluering daarvan verband hou. Die vereistes waaraan meting in die algemeen en die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid in die besonder moet voldoen, asook die faktore wat dit kan bel'..nvloed, is ondersoek. Van die bestaande toetse en metodes vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid is ontleed. 'n Alternatiewe model vir die ontwikkeling van 'n toets of metode wat die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid so geldig en betroubaar moontlik behoort te maak, is ontleed. Die probleme wat met so 'n evalueringsmetode gepaard sou gaan, is ontleed en moontlike oplossings daarvoor is gevind. Riglyne vir die ontwikkeling en die standaardisering van toetse in die algemeen en van mondelinge taalvaardigheid in die besonder is verkry. Onderwerpe waaruit 'n toets vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid in Afrikaans saamgestel kon word, is geskryf, gekeur en volgens spesifieke voorskrifte eksperimenteel uitgetoets. Die mondelinge taaluitinge is op klankkasset opgeneem en volgens vaste riglyne geevalueer. Statistiese verwerkings is uitgevoer en op grand van die verkree resultate is agt toetsvorms saamgestel. Een van die toetsvorms is saam met 'n ongestandaardiseerde mondelinge taalvaardigheidstoets en 'n objektiewe taaltoets, wat as kriteria vir die geldigheidsbepaling daarvan moes dien, in die praktyk toegepas. Dieselfde vorm is daarna saam met 'n tweede vorm van die toets toegepas om ook die geldigheid daarvan te bepaal. Na aanleiding van die empiriese gegewens is gevolgtrekkings oor die geldigheid en ander statlstiese eienskappe van die toets gemaak. Op grand daarvan is spesifieke aanbevelings oor die gebruik van die toets as model vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid gemaak. / In this study the development of a measuring instrument for the evaluation of oral language proficiency was investigated. Relevant literature was studied to reach a better understanding of the term oral language proficiency and in particular, its relevance to effective communication, the problems underlying oral language proficiency, the teaching thereof and the problems inherent in its evaluation. The requirements for a measuring instrument in general, and for the evaluation of oral language proficiency in particular, and the factors which influence such measurement were also investigated. A number of existing tests and methods for the evaluation of oral language proficiency were analysed. An alternative model for the development of a method to improve reliability and validity in the evaluation of oral language proficiency was examined. The problems connected to such a method were analysed and possible solutions were suggested. Guide-lines for the development and standardization of tests in general, and of oral language proficiency tests in particular, were recommended. Suitable topics for inclusion in a test for the evaluation of oral language proficiency in Afrikaans were compiled, selected and applied on an experimental basis according to specified directions. The oral responses of the testees were recorded on sound cassettes and evaluated according to specified directions. Statistical calculations were executed and on the basis of the results, eight test forms were finalized. One of the test forms, together with a non-standardized oral language proficiency test and a standardized objective language proficiency test which served as criteria for the determination of the validity of the test, was applied officially. The same test form, together with a second form of the test, was subsequently applied to a different group of testees in order to determine the validity of the second test form as well. On the basis of the empirical data, conclusions about the validity and other statistical characteristics of the test could be made. This in turn led to specific recommendations concerning the use of the test to serve as a model for the evaluation of oral language proficiency. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Empiriese Opvoedkunde)

Afrikaans text / In hierdie studie is die ontwikkeling van 'n meetmiddel vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid ondersoek. Relevante literatuur is bestudeer om duidelikheid te verkry oor die begrip mondelinge taalvaardigheid en die belangrikheid daarvan as sleutel tot kommunikasie, oor die probleme random mondelinge taalvaardigheid, die onderrig daarvan, die evaluering daarvan en die probleme wat met die evaluering daarvan verband hou. Die vereistes waaraan meting in die algemeen en die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid in die besonder moet voldoen, asook die faktore wat dit kan bel'..nvloed, is ondersoek. Van die bestaande toetse en metodes vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid is ontleed. 'n Alternatiewe model vir die ontwikkeling van 'n toets of metode wat die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid so geldig en betroubaar moontlik behoort te maak, is ontleed. Die probleme wat met so 'n evalueringsmetode gepaard sou gaan, is ontleed en moontlike oplossings daarvoor is gevind. Riglyne vir die ontwikkeling en die standaardisering van toetse in die algemeen en van mondelinge taalvaardigheid in die besonder is verkry. Onderwerpe waaruit 'n toets vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid in Afrikaans saamgestel kon word, is geskryf, gekeur en volgens spesifieke voorskrifte eksperimenteel uitgetoets. Die mondelinge taaluitinge is op klankkasset opgeneem en volgens vaste riglyne geevalueer. Statistiese verwerkings is uitgevoer en op grand van die verkree resultate is agt toetsvorms saamgestel. Een van die toetsvorms is saam met 'n ongestandaardiseerde mondelinge taalvaardigheidstoets en 'n objektiewe taaltoets, wat as kriteria vir die geldigheidsbepaling daarvan moes dien, in die praktyk toegepas. Dieselfde vorm is daarna saam met 'n tweede vorm van die toets toegepas om ook die geldigheid daarvan te bepaal. Na aanleiding van die empiriese gegewens is gevolgtrekkings oor die geldigheid en ander statlstiese eienskappe van die toets gemaak. Op grand daarvan is spesifieke aanbevelings oor die gebruik van die toets as model vir die evaluering van mondelinge taalvaardigheid gemaak. / In this study the development of a measuring instrument for the evaluation of oral language proficiency was investigated. Relevant literature was studied to reach a better understanding of the term oral language proficiency and in particular, its relevance to effective communication, the problems underlying oral language proficiency, the teaching thereof and the problems inherent in its evaluation. The requirements for a measuring instrument in general, and for the evaluation of oral language proficiency in particular, and the factors which influence such measurement were also investigated. A number of existing tests and methods for the evaluation of oral language proficiency were analysed. An alternative model for the development of a method to improve reliability and validity in the evaluation of oral language proficiency was examined. The problems connected to such a method were analysed and possible solutions were suggested. Guide-lines for the development and standardization of tests in general, and of oral language proficiency tests in particular, were recommended. Suitable topics for inclusion in a test for the evaluation of oral language proficiency in Afrikaans were compiled, selected and applied on an experimental basis according to specified directions. The oral responses of the testees were recorded on sound cassettes and evaluated according to specified directions. Statistical calculations were executed and on the basis of the results, eight test forms were finalized. One of the test forms, together with a non-standardized oral language proficiency test and a standardized objective language proficiency test which served as criteria for the determination of the validity of the test, was applied officially. The same test form, together with a second form of the test, was subsequently applied to a different group of testees in order to determine the validity of the second test form as well. On the basis of the empirical data, conclusions about the validity and other statistical characteristics of the test could be made. This in turn led to specific recommendations concerning the use of the test to serve as a model for the evaluation of oral language proficiency. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Empiriese Opvoedkunde)

The interdependent relationship which exists between personality characteristics of adolescents and their achievements in oral examinations have been investigated. The following related aspects were studied in the literature: * * * The role of oral evaluation in English. Personality characteristics which are meaningful to achievement in oral work. Ways to measure personality with special reference to the High School Personality Questionnaire. An empirical study inter alia revealed the following: {i) Low oral achievers are emotionally less stable than high achievers. (ii) Verbal intelligence, emotional instability, anxiety experience and introvertedness play an influential role in achievement in oral work. (iii) Girls tend to achieve better in oral work in the secondary school than boys. The educational implications of the investigation relate to the adequate becoming-adult of the adolescent. The role of the educand's personality in oral examinations and the need of teachers to possess more information about this matter during evaluation, have been revealed in this study. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The interdependent relationship which exists between personality characteristics of adolescents and their achievements in oral examinations have been investigated. The following related aspects were studied in the literature: * * * The role of oral evaluation in English. Personality characteristics which are meaningful to achievement in oral work. Ways to measure personality with special reference to the High School Personality Questionnaire. An empirical study inter alia revealed the following: {i) Low oral achievers are emotionally less stable than high achievers. (ii) Verbal intelligence, emotional instability, anxiety experience and introvertedness play an influential role in achievement in oral work. (iii) Girls tend to achieve better in oral work in the secondary school than boys. The educational implications of the investigation relate to the adequate becoming-adult of the adolescent. The role of the educand's personality in oral examinations and the need of teachers to possess more information about this matter during evaluation, have been revealed in this study. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)