This task draws on an immersive pedagogy wherein learning takes place within interactive exchanges between and among students. In pairs, students perform a live conversation or interview during designated class time. This can be done in the presence of the entire course cohort (to increase possibilities for peer learning and feedback), or privately (in front of an assessor), as in SPAN1010. Students are provided with several general topic areas in advance, for which they can prepare, but are assigned a question/topic at random at the time of the live conversation. Students are predominantly marked on fluency, either linguistically or in terms of discipline specific concepts and discourses. When delivered in language courses, the pair interaction should be delivered the language being taught, and emphasis placed on oral comprehension and fluency, accuracy in grammatical structures, and lexical knowledge. While this assessment is particularly well-suited to language courses, it could readily and usefully be applied to all HASS courses to assess discipline specific conceptual, theoretical and/or practical proficiencies via interactive learning; build opportunities for collaborative learning; and develop specialised language skills. Logistically, the assessment allows for several students to be marked simultaneously, increasing the balance of contact hours used for meaningful engagement.
Details
- CLASS SIZE
- 20-40
- CLASS LEVEL
- First year
- ASSESSMENT SECURITY
- High security
- TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Medium time
- GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
- Effective communication skills, Ethical and social understanding
- CONDITIONS
- Identity verified, Group
- FEATURES
- Authentic
- TAGS
- interview, collaborative learning, practical exam
Advantages
This assessment allows students to learn and develop oral communication skills and provides opportunities for collaboration and peer learning in a controlled, safe environment. Promotes an in-depth knowledge in the field of study as well as the ability to communicate this knowledge effectively and appropriately. Widely transferable to all courses that seek to develop specific language fluencies, opportunities for collaborative learning, and high level oral communication skills
Challenges
This task may not cater to students needs in term of providing flexibility or catering to students who are cautious of public speaking. However, the appropriate arrangements (such as providing additional, private times for students to perform) can be offered if necessary.
Tips for implementation
This task works well by pairing proficient students with those that may need additional support as this creates opportunities for peer learning and may foster skills in leadership. As students are marked individually, this poses no risk for the equitable distribution of marks.
How it supports academic integrity
This is an observed, identity verified task. Furthermore, the fact that topic areas are randomly assigned on the day of the assessment mitigates against the possibility of students outsourcing their preparation for this task.
Dr Adriana Diaz
a.diaz@uq.edu.au
I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina where I achieved a tertiary level degree as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language. In the year 2000, after completing these studies, I came to Australia as an international student to complete a BA (Hons) in Languages and Applied Linguistics. I then continued my postgraduate studies in the area of critical intercultural language pedagogy. For nearly two decades, I have been involved in teaching across Applied Linguistics, English, Italian and Spanish language programs in Australian higher education. I am a passionate languages and intercultural education scholar whose theoretical and empirical work centre on how insights from critical pedagogy and decolonial theories can help us un/re-learn the ways in which we engage with the world. In my teaching practice, I am committed to creating innovative and inclusive, liberatory learning experiences for language learners and fellow language educators to become critically aware of intersectional, power-bound dynamics in everyday interaction. Find out more