[etni] Re: Fwd: re: log versus test
- From: Maxine Cwagrach <maxinetz@xxxxxxx>
- To: bnirenberg@xxxxxxxxx, etni.list@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:21:48 +0300
Dear Rafi,
I agree with Bari completely. Honestly, I don't know where on earth you
get your information. Have you seen the test? Have you seen the answer
key? Have you spoken to markers?
On what basis do you claim that "the test only tests the ability to answer
according to a preset rubric. It does not allow for any individual
interpretation" ? The truth is quite the opposite! Not only does the
answer key allow for a wide variety of interpretations, and not only did
markers accept many different answers that they themselves would not teach
their pupils or even accept on a class test, but markers are instructed to
do so in the general guidelines to the Answer Key, and I quote:
"The Answer Key gives possible answers to the questions. Alternate
answers to all questions may be accepted if appropriate. Use your judgment,
bearing in mind that there are different ways to interpret literary texts."
As Bari has written, I have no idea what you are talking about when you
refer to "catch phrases," "answers that fit the format," "regurgitation".
They have absolutely nothing in common with the exam that I marked or the
process I went through when marking it.
Maybe if you had bothered to ask a marker before making your chimerical
claims, you might not have made them.
Maxine Tsvaigrach
-----Original Message-----
From: etni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:etni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Bari Nirenberg
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 12:14 PM
To: etni.list@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: Etni
Subject: [etni] Re: Fwd: re: log versus test
And I beg to differ with you on all points:
> The test only tests the ability to answer according to a preset rubric
> It does not allow for any individual interpretation
>
Let's take a look at the "preset rubric" for HOTS questions. In order to
get full points, the following criteria must be met:
1. Answer is relevant to the question.
2. There is sufficient and fully accurate reference to the text.
3. Answer includes supporting details / examples where necessary.
4. Message is clear
Where does this not allow for individual interpretation? Just have a look
at the answer key -- there are numerous answers to all of the questions and
the list is not exhaustive -- the key specifically states that these are
SUGGESTED answers and that other interpretations are possible and can be
considered correct. True, if the answer is irrelevant to the question and
the information in it is inaccurate, it won't get points, but this is well
beyond the scope of "individual intepretation".
> It does not test English communicative ability as the weighting is
> skewed in favor of answers that fit the format
>
What "format"? I have no idea what you're talking about here.
> That is not a literature exam -that is regurgitation
>
Far from it! It could only be regurgitation if the questions were known in
advance.
> The log is open to misuse and copying- it may seem more creative but
> this is the first year There will be a brisk trade in recycled
> material so that it defeats the object of the exercise
>
Not if it's done in class, as it is supposed to be.
> Use the exam to allow students to interpret literature in their own
> words without binding them to fanciful and synthetic catch phrases.
>
What "catch phrases" are you referring to? Students are absolutely allowed
(and encouraged!) to use their own words on the literature exam. There is
no standard way that their answers must be phrased. Again, I suggest you
have a good look at the exam and the key.
> Mark them on their ability to explain their ideas.
>
This is exactly what they're being marked on.
Mark their English not their ability to follow a rubric
>
Again, what does this mean? We shouldn't mark their answers based on
whether or not they are relevant to the question or whether or not the
reference to the text (and NOT the interpretation of the text) is accurate?
That's all that's in the rubrics!
In all honesty, it doesn't even sound like we're talking about the same
test.
Bari
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http://david.greenlloyd.com
***************************************
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