The word ‘Back wash’ and ‘Wash back’ are used interchangeably. In general sense Wash back or Back wash refers to the effect of the testing on teaching –learning. Paid coaching system as a preparation for the exam is considered as Washback effect. There activities are mainly exam-oriented. Students are taught the subject matter which are likely to be asked in the exam and students are prepared according to the course of study/ syllabus and the questions from old questions are practised so that they are able to do well in the exam and are able to secure good marks. Back wash / Wash back can be either negative washback or positive washback. Negative washback does not provide innovation and improvement for the exam and its preparation and smooth, effective administration of the teaching/learning activities of the students and the institutions. Shohany ( 1996) points out negative washback brings ‘ high anxiety, fear or precise or job performance of test scorers. It does not help the improvement of educational system’. Positive washback helps to bring great change in curriculum, teaching-learning activities, syllabus designing and smooth, efficient administration of the educational institution. Students are able to secure good marks in the exam. How to Achieve Beneficial Washback? • Test the abilities whose development you (teacher) want to encourage: You can not ask the question if you want to write application of job of English Teacher if you want to test the students ability to write letter of condolence. • Sample widely and unpredictably: Sample of study should cover the whole course, not a specific area or course of study only. • Use direct Testing: While asking questions the specific questions are to be asked to the students. For example, if you are testing listening skill of the students make the students listen to the text/ tape and make them do the tasks such as questions/answers, fill in the blanks, correct order etc. • Make testing criteria referenced: Your test should follow specific criteria and make the students familiar with it. For a language test aim to test language skills of the student , marks should be allocated for reading skill, writing skill, speaking skill and listening skill rather than reading skill or writing skill only. • Teacher should be provided assistance if needed. • The test should be well known to the teacher and the students and there should be clear instructions to the students and the language teacher about it. • The basic achievement test should be made objective. Wash back/ Back wash is the influence of the test in teaching learning process. Some definition of it are as follows. • Spolsky (1994) states, wash back is, ‘unforeseen side effects of testing and not to the intended effects when the primary goal of examination is the control of the curriculum.’ • Briggs (1995) opines that, ‘ Testing controls not only the curriculum but also teaching methods and learning strategies.’ • According to Bachman and Palmer (1996) washback can be understood in two levels. Washback affects the whole education system ie course design, curriculum development, national objectives, school objective, teaching materials, language policy and educational program, teaching methodology, school administration, society and public. • According to Weir (2005) washback leaves significant impact on the individual practices and policies within the classroom, the school and educational system and the whole society where others individuals also live. • Bailey (1996) states that ‘Washback to learners ‘ means effects of the test on students and ‘ washback to programme’ means effects of test on teachers, administrators and curriculum developer etc.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 03:19:02 +0000
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