A single overall grading is the hallmark of test reporting practices in education. This assessmen... more A single overall grading is the hallmark of test reporting practices in education. This assessment system has provided an efficient and convenient means of reporting test results for a summative purpose such as certifying students on completion of a course of study or selecting students who can benefit from the next level of education. However it is less useful for reporting results for a formative purpose such as monitoring students' learning progress or diagnosing their learning difficulties. The National Institute of Education has developed a computerised assessment tool known as "NIE Computerised English Language Test" (NIECELT) for testing the English language proficiencies of prospective students in pre-service teacher training programmes. NIECELT, however, can be used for creating appropriate tests meant for any other grade level as well – primary, secondary or college. This paper will describe a profiling assessment system to be incorporated into the test repor...
In the Singapore context, with increased availability of computers and a broader access to comput... more In the Singapore context, with increased availability of computers and a broader access to computers in the coming years, computerised testing where computers are used as devices for delivering tests has good potential. More specifically, computerised adaptive testing (CAT) holds promise as a new and innovative strategy for testing and measuring student achievement. However, the acceptability of CAT by both the public and those directly involved, namely, school administrators, teachers and students, is critical. They will need to be convinced of the suitability of computer technology to many of the testing tasks, and of the equity of this new testing method especially in terms of students’ test performance. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation study of several pertinent factors that were hypothesised to influence student performance at computerised adaptive tests on biology. The variables included a) student gender and ability, b) student computer ownership and exp...
Achievement tests on biology were constructed as part of an item pool development for a larger st... more Achievement tests on biology were constructed as part of an item pool development for a larger study on computerised adaptive testing. A total of 220 four-alternative multiple-choice test items were targeted. A test specification, modelled after the 1995 GCE 'O' level syllabus, was used to guide the writing and selection of test items aimed at assessing learning outcomes of biological concepts and principles. Two tests were planned; each with parallel forms based on content consistency. In addition, 'anchor' test items were placed on the two forms. The test forms were spiralled (i.e. arranged in a fixed alternate order) in the data collection from a representative sample of about 2000 students from a population of Singapore students who were candidates for the 1994 GCE 'O' level biology examination. This paper reports on an application of the Rasch model to analyse the test items on parallel forms of the two tests, and to assess the model-fit of the items.
This paper presents Singapore’s initial teacher training and continuing professional development ... more This paper presents Singapore’s initial teacher training and continuing professional development as a possible model of teacher education and preparation. Since the mid-1990s, several educational reforms and initiatives have been introduced into Singapore education with the goal of equipping her young citizens with knowledge and skills for a globalised economy and workforce, and for the challenges of the 21 st century. Teachers are the frontline of any educational endeavour, which means that teacher quality is paramount to its implementation. Thus, the Ministry of Education invested heavily in building the teacher workforce and enhancing its quality in pursuit of the desired educational outcomes. Increased and sustained teacher recruitment enlarged the teacher workforce. Stringent criteria were used to select suitably qualified applicants who went through intensive pre-service teacher training at Singapore’s sole teacher training institute, the National Institute of Education. Sever...
Two groups of grade five students were given test treatments. One group was with audio input crea... more Two groups of grade five students were given test treatments. One group was with audio input created synthetically from a given BBC news text. Another group used video (i.e., the same audio input but with additional digital images). The participants answered the same text-based, higher-order thinking questions. Results showed that the video group did not benefit from having digital images as an aid to listening-comprehension. The reasons for this could be task-related. Some suggestions were presented with refer to task-specific use of multimedia in listening assessment.
This paper will describe a WALK approach to assessing students’ constructivist learning in mathem... more This paper will describe a WALK approach to assessing students’ constructivist learning in mathematics which is aimed at tapping their ability in posing, formulating and solving mathematical problems. The implementation study was conducted in a single-sex secondary school in Singapore involving a total of 168 boys at the secondary four level. The participants completed the WALK assessment tasks in three phases and within restricted time limits – phase 1 for posing mathematical problems based on a given stimulus material, phase 2 for formulating three problems selected from problems posed in the first phase, and lastly, phase 3 for solving the problems formulated earlier. The potentials and challenges of using this WALK assessment method for a summative purpose, and for constructivist teaching and learning in classrooms of Singapore schools will be discussed. Introduction Learning mathematics with understanding involves not only knowing ‘what’ but also knowing ‘when’ and ‘how’ to use...
With today's advances in technology, computerised testing has become feasible and viable. Both re... more With today's advances in technology, computerised testing has become feasible and viable. Both researchers and educators are mindful of issues related to equity and fairness in the use of computers for testing purposes. Of significant consequence is how students' test performance or attitudes may be altered when computers are used (
Political involvement in education has been inevitable from the start of Singapore's nationhood. ... more Political involvement in education has been inevitable from the start of Singapore's nationhood. Her independent statehood was undesired, fraught as she was with the twin perils of economic and social disintegration. An island of only about 600 square kilometres with no hinterland and natural resources, and dependent mainly on entrepot trading, she was, her population being predominantly ethnic Chinese, alienated racially from the predominantly Malay neighbouring countries she depended on for her trade. Internally, there was the danger of racial conflict between the minority Malays and the majority Chinese, which would impede the social cohesion deemed to be essential for economic survival. She was a former British colony with a predominantly migrant Chinese population, infiltrated with Marxist ideology and looking towards communist China for inspiration and salvation. She was granted independence from Britain as a state within the newly constituted Federation of Malaysia in August 1963, along with Sabah and Sarawak, and the previous Federated Malay States of Malaya. Joining her with Malaysia was to neutralise her Marxist inclination (see Lee, 1998, Chapter 21). Taking her predominantly Chinese population (70% of the populace) into Malaysia was granted by Malayan leaders only on condition that Sabah and Sarawak, which had predominantly Malay populations, also joined, in order that the previous political dominance of the indigenous Malays would be preserved in the new federation (see Lee, 1998, Chapter 22). Lee Kuan Yew, who subsequently became a prominent opposition leader in the Malaysian parliament, soon led a united front of Chinese, Indians and others, including some "moderate" Malays, to campaign for a "Malaysian Malaysia" rather than a "Malay Malaysia" (Lee, 1965a, 1965b, 1965c). The reaction was intensified racist friction and even riots initiated by Malays against the Chinese, culminating in the expulsion of Singapore from Malaysia in August 1965 and the establishment of independent Singapore, with a population of 70% Chinese, 20% Malays and 10% Indians and others, such as Eurasians. So, independent Singapore began with a divided populace, Malays being fearful of a government seen as Chinese as they looked towards Malay Malaysia in loyalty and hope, and the Chinese, and Indians also (some of them had supported the Chinese in the racial conflict), resentful against Malays as they waited to see what Lee Kuan Yew and his People's Action Party (PAP) could do to deliver on their electioneering promises. Meanwhile, many cast a dreamy eye towards China or India, at least for identity and
Computer-based modeling is not just a means for students to learn important scientific knowledge ... more Computer-based modeling is not just a means for students to learn important scientific knowledge and skills, but also a technique to assess student understandings of science. A software tool called Model-It allows young students to create their own models so that their learning becomes more interactive and engaged. However, there is a mismatch between how students learn and how they are assessed if conventional paper-administered tests are used. This paper argues for alternative assessments to be better aligned with ...
This paper presents Singapore's initial teacher training and continuing professional developm... more This paper presents Singapore's initial teacher training and continuing professional development as a possible model of teacher education and preparation. Since the mid-1990s, several educational reforms and initiatives have been introduced into Singapore education with the goal of equipping her young citizens with knowledge and skills for a globalised economy and workforce, and for the challenges of the 21 st century. Teachers are the frontline of any educational endeavour, which means that teacher quality is paramount to its implementation. Thus, the Ministry of Education invested heavily in building the teacher workforce and enhancing its quality in pursuit of the desired educational outcomes. Increased and sustained teacher recruitment enlarged the teacher workforce. Stringent criteria were used to select suitably qualified applicants who went through intensive pre-service teacher training at Singapore's sole teacher training institute, the National Institute of Educatio...
School-based testing is an integral part of the teaching and learning process, and it provides te... more School-based testing is an integral part of the teaching and learning process, and it provides teachers with vital information about students' learning progress. What are the current practices in school testing in Singapore, and what are some of the issues arising therefrom? Do conventional testing practices measure up to the needs of recent changes in Singapore education, in the areas of IT, Thinking, Project Work, and the "School Excellence Model"? What are some innovations in educational assessment that may be more compatible with these changes? How can computer technology support and enhance these innovative assessments? This paper will first examine the assessment system in Singapore education, and discuss some issues related to current testing practices. In the light of recent changes in education, the need for a rethink on these practices is proposed. The paper will then explore some innovations in educational assessment that may bring about a more meaningful as...
EduTOOLS, a R&D project of the Centre for Learning Technologies which is jointly set up by the Mi... more EduTOOLS, a R&D project of the Centre for Learning Technologies which is jointly set up by the Ministry of Education, Kent Ridge Digital Labs and Infocomm Development Authority, involves an innovative use of computer technology. With EduTOOLS, students can make use of a suite of on-line tools for project work. Also available to students are a collection of recommended project resources and a list of experts. This project will be piloted in three Singapore schools two secondary schools and one junior college. For an implementation of a high technology project such as EduTOOLS, one main concern is student readiness in terms of IT skills. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation of students' experience with computers, namely their use of computers in and outside of school, the types of computer applications used and of activities engaged with a computer, and their frequency of computer use. Self-reports of students' working behaviours on the computer as well as th...
This paper was published in the 1997 Proceedings of the ERA Annual Conference held at Plaza Hotel... more This paper was published in the 1997 Proceedings of the ERA Annual Conference held at Plaza Hotel, Singapore from 24-26 November 1997
A single overall grading is the hallmark of test reporting practices in education. This assessmen... more A single overall grading is the hallmark of test reporting practices in education. This assessment system has provided an efficient and convenient means of reporting test results for a summative purpose such as certifying students on completion of a course of study or selecting students who can benefit from the next level of education. However it is less useful for reporting results for a formative purpose such as monitoring students' learning progress or diagnosing their learning difficulties. The National Institute of Education has developed a computerised assessment tool known as "NIE Computerised English Language Test" (NIECELT) for testing the English language proficiencies of prospective students in pre-service teacher training programmes. NIECELT, however, can be used for creating appropriate tests meant for any other grade level as well – primary, secondary or college. This paper will describe a profiling assessment system to be incorporated into the test repor...
In the Singapore context, with increased availability of computers and a broader access to comput... more In the Singapore context, with increased availability of computers and a broader access to computers in the coming years, computerised testing where computers are used as devices for delivering tests has good potential. More specifically, computerised adaptive testing (CAT) holds promise as a new and innovative strategy for testing and measuring student achievement. However, the acceptability of CAT by both the public and those directly involved, namely, school administrators, teachers and students, is critical. They will need to be convinced of the suitability of computer technology to many of the testing tasks, and of the equity of this new testing method especially in terms of students’ test performance. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation study of several pertinent factors that were hypothesised to influence student performance at computerised adaptive tests on biology. The variables included a) student gender and ability, b) student computer ownership and exp...
Achievement tests on biology were constructed as part of an item pool development for a larger st... more Achievement tests on biology were constructed as part of an item pool development for a larger study on computerised adaptive testing. A total of 220 four-alternative multiple-choice test items were targeted. A test specification, modelled after the 1995 GCE 'O' level syllabus, was used to guide the writing and selection of test items aimed at assessing learning outcomes of biological concepts and principles. Two tests were planned; each with parallel forms based on content consistency. In addition, 'anchor' test items were placed on the two forms. The test forms were spiralled (i.e. arranged in a fixed alternate order) in the data collection from a representative sample of about 2000 students from a population of Singapore students who were candidates for the 1994 GCE 'O' level biology examination. This paper reports on an application of the Rasch model to analyse the test items on parallel forms of the two tests, and to assess the model-fit of the items.
This paper presents Singapore’s initial teacher training and continuing professional development ... more This paper presents Singapore’s initial teacher training and continuing professional development as a possible model of teacher education and preparation. Since the mid-1990s, several educational reforms and initiatives have been introduced into Singapore education with the goal of equipping her young citizens with knowledge and skills for a globalised economy and workforce, and for the challenges of the 21 st century. Teachers are the frontline of any educational endeavour, which means that teacher quality is paramount to its implementation. Thus, the Ministry of Education invested heavily in building the teacher workforce and enhancing its quality in pursuit of the desired educational outcomes. Increased and sustained teacher recruitment enlarged the teacher workforce. Stringent criteria were used to select suitably qualified applicants who went through intensive pre-service teacher training at Singapore’s sole teacher training institute, the National Institute of Education. Sever...
Two groups of grade five students were given test treatments. One group was with audio input crea... more Two groups of grade five students were given test treatments. One group was with audio input created synthetically from a given BBC news text. Another group used video (i.e., the same audio input but with additional digital images). The participants answered the same text-based, higher-order thinking questions. Results showed that the video group did not benefit from having digital images as an aid to listening-comprehension. The reasons for this could be task-related. Some suggestions were presented with refer to task-specific use of multimedia in listening assessment.
This paper will describe a WALK approach to assessing students’ constructivist learning in mathem... more This paper will describe a WALK approach to assessing students’ constructivist learning in mathematics which is aimed at tapping their ability in posing, formulating and solving mathematical problems. The implementation study was conducted in a single-sex secondary school in Singapore involving a total of 168 boys at the secondary four level. The participants completed the WALK assessment tasks in three phases and within restricted time limits – phase 1 for posing mathematical problems based on a given stimulus material, phase 2 for formulating three problems selected from problems posed in the first phase, and lastly, phase 3 for solving the problems formulated earlier. The potentials and challenges of using this WALK assessment method for a summative purpose, and for constructivist teaching and learning in classrooms of Singapore schools will be discussed. Introduction Learning mathematics with understanding involves not only knowing ‘what’ but also knowing ‘when’ and ‘how’ to use...
With today's advances in technology, computerised testing has become feasible and viable. Both re... more With today's advances in technology, computerised testing has become feasible and viable. Both researchers and educators are mindful of issues related to equity and fairness in the use of computers for testing purposes. Of significant consequence is how students' test performance or attitudes may be altered when computers are used (
Political involvement in education has been inevitable from the start of Singapore's nationhood. ... more Political involvement in education has been inevitable from the start of Singapore's nationhood. Her independent statehood was undesired, fraught as she was with the twin perils of economic and social disintegration. An island of only about 600 square kilometres with no hinterland and natural resources, and dependent mainly on entrepot trading, she was, her population being predominantly ethnic Chinese, alienated racially from the predominantly Malay neighbouring countries she depended on for her trade. Internally, there was the danger of racial conflict between the minority Malays and the majority Chinese, which would impede the social cohesion deemed to be essential for economic survival. She was a former British colony with a predominantly migrant Chinese population, infiltrated with Marxist ideology and looking towards communist China for inspiration and salvation. She was granted independence from Britain as a state within the newly constituted Federation of Malaysia in August 1963, along with Sabah and Sarawak, and the previous Federated Malay States of Malaya. Joining her with Malaysia was to neutralise her Marxist inclination (see Lee, 1998, Chapter 21). Taking her predominantly Chinese population (70% of the populace) into Malaysia was granted by Malayan leaders only on condition that Sabah and Sarawak, which had predominantly Malay populations, also joined, in order that the previous political dominance of the indigenous Malays would be preserved in the new federation (see Lee, 1998, Chapter 22). Lee Kuan Yew, who subsequently became a prominent opposition leader in the Malaysian parliament, soon led a united front of Chinese, Indians and others, including some "moderate" Malays, to campaign for a "Malaysian Malaysia" rather than a "Malay Malaysia" (Lee, 1965a, 1965b, 1965c). The reaction was intensified racist friction and even riots initiated by Malays against the Chinese, culminating in the expulsion of Singapore from Malaysia in August 1965 and the establishment of independent Singapore, with a population of 70% Chinese, 20% Malays and 10% Indians and others, such as Eurasians. So, independent Singapore began with a divided populace, Malays being fearful of a government seen as Chinese as they looked towards Malay Malaysia in loyalty and hope, and the Chinese, and Indians also (some of them had supported the Chinese in the racial conflict), resentful against Malays as they waited to see what Lee Kuan Yew and his People's Action Party (PAP) could do to deliver on their electioneering promises. Meanwhile, many cast a dreamy eye towards China or India, at least for identity and
Computer-based modeling is not just a means for students to learn important scientific knowledge ... more Computer-based modeling is not just a means for students to learn important scientific knowledge and skills, but also a technique to assess student understandings of science. A software tool called Model-It allows young students to create their own models so that their learning becomes more interactive and engaged. However, there is a mismatch between how students learn and how they are assessed if conventional paper-administered tests are used. This paper argues for alternative assessments to be better aligned with ...
This paper presents Singapore's initial teacher training and continuing professional developm... more This paper presents Singapore's initial teacher training and continuing professional development as a possible model of teacher education and preparation. Since the mid-1990s, several educational reforms and initiatives have been introduced into Singapore education with the goal of equipping her young citizens with knowledge and skills for a globalised economy and workforce, and for the challenges of the 21 st century. Teachers are the frontline of any educational endeavour, which means that teacher quality is paramount to its implementation. Thus, the Ministry of Education invested heavily in building the teacher workforce and enhancing its quality in pursuit of the desired educational outcomes. Increased and sustained teacher recruitment enlarged the teacher workforce. Stringent criteria were used to select suitably qualified applicants who went through intensive pre-service teacher training at Singapore's sole teacher training institute, the National Institute of Educatio...
School-based testing is an integral part of the teaching and learning process, and it provides te... more School-based testing is an integral part of the teaching and learning process, and it provides teachers with vital information about students' learning progress. What are the current practices in school testing in Singapore, and what are some of the issues arising therefrom? Do conventional testing practices measure up to the needs of recent changes in Singapore education, in the areas of IT, Thinking, Project Work, and the "School Excellence Model"? What are some innovations in educational assessment that may be more compatible with these changes? How can computer technology support and enhance these innovative assessments? This paper will first examine the assessment system in Singapore education, and discuss some issues related to current testing practices. In the light of recent changes in education, the need for a rethink on these practices is proposed. The paper will then explore some innovations in educational assessment that may bring about a more meaningful as...
EduTOOLS, a R&D project of the Centre for Learning Technologies which is jointly set up by the Mi... more EduTOOLS, a R&D project of the Centre for Learning Technologies which is jointly set up by the Ministry of Education, Kent Ridge Digital Labs and Infocomm Development Authority, involves an innovative use of computer technology. With EduTOOLS, students can make use of a suite of on-line tools for project work. Also available to students are a collection of recommended project resources and a list of experts. This project will be piloted in three Singapore schools two secondary schools and one junior college. For an implementation of a high technology project such as EduTOOLS, one main concern is student readiness in terms of IT skills. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation of students' experience with computers, namely their use of computers in and outside of school, the types of computer applications used and of activities engaged with a computer, and their frequency of computer use. Self-reports of students' working behaviours on the computer as well as th...
This paper was published in the 1997 Proceedings of the ERA Annual Conference held at Plaza Hotel... more This paper was published in the 1997 Proceedings of the ERA Annual Conference held at Plaza Hotel, Singapore from 24-26 November 1997
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