Assessment for learning as a teaching approach enabling personalization of learning on tertiary level

Abstract

Assessment is an essential component of educational environment. Assessment for Learning is a teaching approach which enables personalization of learning, sets targets for individual learners and thus helps our bachelor students progress to desired outcomes. Introducing technology as a mediational tool in the process of assessment was an essential step that we have taken in an effort to improve the on-line course of Professional English Language in the university Blackboard LMS. Computer-based formative self-assessment of English language was taken by bachelor students of Tourism Management to periodically test the development of language competencies, to know what skills have been learned and how far have the students progressed in achieving their targets in mastering English as a second language. In evaluating our students’ responses regarding the course quality we found out that targeting test questions at ability level in the on-line course is very motivating for the students. Moreover, for teachers is computer-adaptive testing really useful tool for getting precise, individual information about students’ ability level, whilst providing the added benefits of keeping them engaged and motivated by assessment activity.