In selected-response assessments such as attitude surveys with Likert-type rating scales, examinees often select from rating scale categories to reflect their locations on a construct. Researchers have observed that some examinees exhibit "response styles," which are systematic patterns of responses in which examinees are more likely to…

Even though digital technologies are ubiquitous in education, assessment methods continue to employ traditional assessments even though they are inadequate to provide information about a student's reasoning and conceptual understanding. Digital-based assessment models allow students to demonstrate higher-order skills while integrating digital…

This volume is an important output of the ASSESSnet, an EU-funded project that aimed at investigating assessment practices in Virtual Exchange (VE) projects in Foreign Language (FL) courses at tertiary level. It starts with the discussion of selected aspects of VE and assessment design, and a summary of ASSESSnet project results. The following…

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when items on a test or questionnaire have different measurement properties for one group of people versus another, irrespective of group-mean differences on the construct. Methods for testing DIF require matching members of different groups on an estimate of the construct. Preferably, the estimate is…

In Ramsay-curve item response theory (RC-IRT), the latent variable distribution is estimated simultaneously with the item parameters. In extant Monte Carlo evaluations of RC-IRT, the item response function (IRF) used to fit the data is the same one used to generate the data. The present simulation study examines RC-IRT when the IRF is imperfectly…

This book, written by authors representing 12 countries and five continents, is a collection of international perspectives on distance learning and distance learning implementations in higher education. The perspectives are presented in the form of practical case studies of distance learning implementations, research studies on teaching and…

Case means and case failures in performance-based medical student evaluations were examined to evaluate the consistency of ratings made by two or more standardized patients (SPs) simulating the same case. Results demonstrate a need for caution in interpreting scores obtained from a case checklist completed by multiple SPs. (Author/MSE)

Suggests a new typology for evaluating simulation games based on the extent to which participants' roles correspond to specific real-world equivalents. Application of the typology associates different simulation formats with characteristic teaching goals, learning processes, and administrative pitfalls. (Author)

A study is reported of the use of simulations as a method of assessing pharmacy doctoral candidates' efficiency of information retrieval, recognition of therapeutic incompatibilities, recommendation of alternatives, communication skills, familiarity with drug information resources, and apparent knowledge base. (MSE)

Presents some ideas for using simulation games to improve human performance, serve as motivators for instruction, provide opportunities for evaluating learning, and test research models. The potential for instructional technologists to diversify approaches to learning and meet learning needs is also discussed. Fifteen references are listed. (MER)

Originally part of a symposium on educational media for the deaf, the paper presents guidelines and suggestions for the use of games and simulations in the education of this population. Steps in the design of games, such as determining the educational goals and objectives of the games, are discussed. (PHR)

A leadership simulation model, patterned after the avalanche simulator used by the United States Forest Service and applicable within a variety of field situations (outdoor camps, church groups, commercial enterprises) can augment the development and observation of outdoor leaders. The model includes both a broad base of practitioner inputs and an…

Fictitious student evaluations of a faculty member's teaching performance are presented to the reader in an exercise in interpreting such information. Evaluator comments reveal a widespread divergence of views. (MSE)

Delineates some of the general difficulties encountered while introducing simulations/games into a secondary school system with emphasis on time, spatial organization, and methods of evaluating learning. Sixteen references are appended. (Author/LLS)