Indonesian junior secondary school teachers' conceptions of assessment: A mixed methods study

<p>Understanding teachers’ conceptions of assessment is important because of their influence on teachers’ assessment practices. Despite numerous quantitative studies on teachers’ conceptions and practices of assessment, little research exists regarding the unique assessment environment of Indonesia. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative data to examine how Indonesian junior high school teachers understand assessment, how their conceptions of assessment relate to their assessment practices, and what factors contribute to their conceptions and practices of assessment. This mixed methods study adopted a participant selection model in which quantitative data was analysed to select participants for the qualitative phase. A validated measure of teacher conceptions of assessment was adapted for use in the quantitative phase to explore teacher (N=107) conceptions of whether they thought assessment was for improvement, accountability or whether it was irrelevant. These three criteria were used to select twelve Indonesian teachers for semi-structured interviews and to contribute documents for analysis in the qualitative phase. The Indonesian teachers believed that the purpose of assessment was to improve teaching and learning and also to demonstrate the accountability of students and school. They tended to disagree with the view that assessment is irrelevant. Further analysis of the data revealed that teachers’ conceptions of assessment were conflicted. They were keen to use assessment practices to improve their classroom teaching, but felt that the state-wide examination policy requirements constrained their efforts. These distinctive and conflicting conceptions of assessment held by Indonesian teachers appeared to arise from the interplay of socio-ecological factors including culture and the Indonesian education system. Conceptions of assessment are unique to every setting. These findings highlight that valid measurement of teacher conceptions is likely to require national and regional accommodations based on contextual factors. Furthermore, government, policy makers, and curriculum developers must work to build a strong synergy among themselves in order to share consistent goals with teachers. If cultural expectations of school assessment and government policy were aligned, Indonesian teachers may be better able to resolve conflict between their beliefs and assessment practices.</p>

Indonesian junior secondary school teachers' conceptions of assessment: A mixed methods study

<p>Understanding teachers’ conceptions of assessment is important because of their influence on teachers’ assessment practices. Despite numerous quantitative studies on teachers’ conceptions and practices of assessment, little research exists regarding the unique assessment environment of Indonesia. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative data to examine how Indonesian junior high school teachers understand assessment, how their conceptions of assessment relate to their assessment practices, and what factors contribute to their conceptions and practices of assessment. This mixed methods study adopted a participant selection model in which quantitative data was analysed to select participants for the qualitative phase. A validated measure of teacher conceptions of assessment was adapted for use in the quantitative phase to explore teacher (N=107) conceptions of whether they thought assessment was for improvement, accountability or whether it was irrelevant. These three criteria were used to select twelve Indonesian teachers for semi-structured interviews and to contribute documents for analysis in the qualitative phase. The Indonesian teachers believed that the purpose of assessment was to improve teaching and learning and also to demonstrate the accountability of students and school. They tended to disagree with the view that assessment is irrelevant. Further analysis of the data revealed that teachers’ conceptions of assessment were conflicted. They were keen to use assessment practices to improve their classroom teaching, but felt that the state-wide examination policy requirements constrained their efforts. These distinctive and conflicting conceptions of assessment held by Indonesian teachers appeared to arise from the interplay of socio-ecological factors including culture and the Indonesian education system. Conceptions of assessment are unique to every setting. These findings highlight that valid measurement of teacher conceptions is likely to require national and regional accommodations based on contextual factors. Furthermore, government, policy makers, and curriculum developers must work to build a strong synergy among themselves in order to share consistent goals with teachers. If cultural expectations of school assessment and government policy were aligned, Indonesian teachers may be better able to resolve conflict between their beliefs and assessment practices.</p>

Pre-service teachers' conceptions about the quality of explanations for the science classroom in the context of peer assessment

This study explored student-teacher conceptions of explanations for the science classroom during teacher education programs through peer-assessments of 20 pre-service teachers from three universities. The peer-assessments were reciprocal and focused on the explanation of scientific concepts during microteaching episodes. Student-teacher conceptions about the quality of scientific explanations were obtained by analysing their assessment-feedback comments to peers and by focus groups. The results showed that student-teacher conceptions about the quality of explanations for the science classroom were related to constructivist theory applied to science teaching, for instance, the participants noticed that better explanations were those that connected the concepts with the students' ideas and experiences. A follow-up with a sub-sample of six participants during a practicum in schools explored through interviews the perceived enablers and obstacles that affected their explanation construction in real settings leading to reframing their conceptions. This study revealed that peer assessment and feedback could play a significant role in teacher education by eliciting student-teacher conceptions about essential teaching practices and the challenges of explaining in real teaching, which might enhance and empower their skill development. We discuss implications for research and practice, with emphasis on peer assessment as a tool for internalising assessment criteria for fruitful science teaching.

STUDENT TEACHERS’ CONCEPTION OF FEEDBACK WITHIN AN ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: LINK TO PUPIL ASPIRATION

Teacher beliefs for conceptualisations of feedback should facilitate pupil development. However, to what extent does the conception of feedback in assessment for learning influence pupil aspirations as commanded by the Malaysian Education Development Plan? Thus, this study is conducted to explore the degree of influence of the conceptions of feedback factors on Pupil Aspiration. A survey research design is used in this study using a self-report inventory on feedback conceptions and pupil aspirations. The participants involved are 490 student teachers who have completed their teaching practical in the government schools in their previous semester. The feedback conception inventory adapted from the Teacher Conceptions of Feedback (TCoF) is used to measure the conception of feedback and the instrument for Pupil Aspiration is developed by the researchers. A structural equation modelling software, the Analysis of Moment Structures was used to test the hypothesized relationship. The analysis involves two-stage approach. Results of the study indicated that the proposed model was supported, and thus revealing that feedback conceptions was associated with Pupil Aspirations. Ten inter-correlated constructs had good psychometric properties. All the nine constructs of feedback conceptions loaded positively on pupil aspirations. The findings will give rise to further hypotheses which could close the gap of the research.

Teacher Conceptions and Approaches to Blended Learning Environments

This chapter provides Australian perspectives on blended learning. An overview of the ways in which the concept of blended learning is interpreted in the Australian higher education is presented. This is followed by a discussion of the results of research carried out at one Australian University about teachers' conceptions on blended learning and their approaches to design and teaching in higher education. On the basis of twelve interviews with teachers, some important factors are analyzed pertaining to pedagogical, technological, interface, evaluation dimensions as well as resource support, management, ethical and institutional. Research results indicate that teachers consider their subject's learning objectives and apply the technologies and approaches that will work best for their students following the eight dimensions of blended learning environments.