Schedule: 2009-09-09 (18:30 - 19:00)
Educational Showcase (Sala de Conferencias 1)

Title: OWL Software: The Innovative Solution for Online Assessment
Authors: Chris Dalessandri, Thekla Fall
Abstract: This session is designed for those looking for efficient and effective ways to 1) assess student proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, 2) provide strong qualitative components for grant evaluations, 3) assess the effectiveness of new instructional techniques, materials or program enhancements, and 4) assess students in secured, centralized testing at home and abroad, in one classroom or across campus, and distance learning. The software provides an innovative way for instructors across the globe to collaborate and work together in the advancement of improved language testing, rating, and feedback.

Using OWL software, the four skills may be assessed independently or in combination in a variety of formats: speaking proficiency tests, essays, multiple choice, fill in the blank, cloze, translation, interpretation, etc. in most languages. Tests may be modified easily to fit the individual needs of students with learning disabilities (longer or no response times, fewer choices, a word bank, etc.).

We will demonstrate the proven, completely authorable, Online World Language (OWL) testing and practice software that makes it easy to create and administer tests online, rate or automatically score the tests, and collect assessment data in a format that is easy to understand and analyze. OWL software is used to test thousands of U.S. students annually.

The software is completely authorable and will accommodate most languages. It is sophisticated, yet extremely user friendly. Thus, users can easily input standards, rubrics or a scoring protocol, test items, as well as authentic visuals, audio, and/or video that are appropriate to their culture, country, and curriculum.
Keywords: online, test, assessment, languages, data, innovative, collaborate, non-traditional languages, speaking

Main topic: Curriculum development for CALL.

Biodata: Chris Dalessandri - President of OWL Testing Software: Extensive experience in software design and second language learning.
Type of presentation Courseware Exhibition

Paper category (Other)

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project No

Schedule:	2009-09-09 (18:30 - 19:00) Educational Showcase (Sala de Conferencias 1)
Title:	OWL Software: The Innovative Solution for Online Assessment
Authors:	Chris Dalessandri, Thekla Fall
Abstract:	This session is designed for those looking for efficient and effective ways to 1) assess student proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, 2) provide strong qualitative components for grant evaluations, 3) assess the effectiveness of new instructional techniques, materials or program enhancements, and 4) assess students in secured, centralized testing at home and abroad, in one classroom or across campus, and distance learning. The software provides an innovative way for instructors across the globe to collaborate and work together in the advancement of improved language testing, rating, and feedback. Using OWL software, the four skills may be assessed independently or in combination in a variety of formats: speaking proficiency tests, essays, multiple choice, fill in the blank, cloze, translation, interpretation, etc. in most languages. Tests may be modified easily to fit the individual needs of students with learning disabilities (longer or no response times, fewer choices, a word bank, etc.). We will demonstrate the proven, completely authorable, Online World Language (OWL) testing and practice software that makes it easy to create and administer tests online, rate or automatically score the tests, and collect assessment data in a format that is easy to understand and analyze. OWL software is used to test thousands of U.S. students annually. The software is completely authorable and will accommodate most languages. It is sophisticated, yet extremely user friendly. Thus, users can easily input standards, rubrics or a scoring protocol, test items, as well as authentic visuals, audio, and/or video that are appropriate to their culture, country, and curriculum.
Keywords:	online, test, assessment, languages, data, innovative, collaborate, non-traditional languages, speaking
Main topic:	Curriculum development for CALL.
Biodata:	Chris Dalessandri - President of OWL Testing Software: Extensive experience in software design and second language learning.
Type of presentation	Courseware Exhibition
Paper category	(Other)
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	No