Developing and using hints in computerized dynamic assessment of a TOEFL iBT reading exam

This study investigated the impacts of computerized dynamic assessment (C-DA) on a TOEFL iBT reading exam among 185 upper-intermediate EFL Iranian learners. The exam included five question types: Vocabulary, detail, negative fact, purpose, and inference items whose answers yielded three types of sco...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sahbi Hidri, Leila Fekri Pileh Roud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-09-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020318284
Description
Summary:This study investigated the impacts of computerized dynamic assessment (C-DA) on a TOEFL iBT reading exam among 185 upper-intermediate EFL Iranian learners. The exam included five question types: Vocabulary, detail, negative fact, purpose, and inference items whose answers yielded three types of scores: Actual, mediated, and learning potential. Results indicated statistically significant differences between actual and mediated scores with various reading ability levels in using hints in the question types. Even though C-DA improved the scores in the mediated test items and resulted in significant correlations, there was no empirical evidence that C-DA was conducive to a comprehensive diagnosis of the ability in the Zone of Actual Development (ZAD). The study had direct pedagogical and methodological implications by suggesting more individualized and, accordingly, more effective mediation to learners, such as the interactionist approach.
ISSN:2405-8440