Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ell-assessment
In today’s increasingly diverse classrooms, educators face the challenge of effectively assessing students who are English Language Learners (ELLs). The course ‘Assessing Achievement with the ELL in Mind’ on Coursera tackles this vital issue head-on, providing valuable insights and practical tools tailored to the unique needs of ELL students.
### Course Overview
This course comprehensively covers the design of assessments that consider the language levels of ELL students. As educators, understanding how to incorporate both language and content requirements into formative and summative assessments is essential. The course focuses on the application of practical strategies for assessing ELLs through project-based and task-based assignments, which allows educators to evaluate students not just on language proficiency but also on their understanding of the content.
### Key Takeaways
1. **Introduction to Authentic Assessment:** The course begins by introducing key concepts in authentic assessment, emphasizing the importance of understanding the challenges ELLs face in traditional assessment formats.
2. **Formative and Summative Assessment:** Educators will explore various assessment types, learning how to design formative assessments that are conducive to language acquisition.
3. **Alternative Assessments:** The third week delves into modified and visual assessments, equipping educators to best support ELLs across different language levels.
4. **Grading Considerations:** Addressing the complexities of grading ELLs, this module offers strategies on peer and self-assessment, and the appropriate use of error correction in assessments.
5. **Project-Based Assessment:** One of the highlights is the focus on project-based assessments, showing how these can effectively gauge understanding and language outcomes.
6. **Course Synthesis:** The final module challenges participants to synthesize their learning and design assessments in their own teaching contexts.
### My Recommendation
I highly recommend this course to educators looking to better serve their ELL students. The structured approach, practical strategies, and resourceful content make this course not only a useful professional development tool but also a gateway to creating a more inclusive and effective assessment environment.
Whether you are a seasoned educator or new to the field, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to enhance your teaching practices for ELLs. Join me in transforming the way we assess and support our students’ journeys towards language proficiency and academic success.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ell-assessment