Adventures in Foreign Language - One Tool, so many solutions!

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One Tool, so many solutions!

By Chris Dalessandri

Time and time again our customers tell us what they like most about OWL Testing Software is it flexibility. Unlike most pre-packaged language learning systems, OWL can be applied to a multitude of language learning scenarios across a variety of organizations. And OWL’s development team is constantly working, in collaboration with our customers and partners, to find even more ways to increase language learning around the world. Here are some of the interesting ways our customers have used OWL’s flexible platform.

Getting a Jump Start with OWL’s Content Library -- A mid-western university used existing content from OWL's library of shared tests and added their own target language prompts. They used OWL for SOPI-like midterms and finals in a variety less commonly taught languages including; Polish, Arabic and Russian.

American Sign Language -- In addition to traditional foreign language tests, one of OWL's newest university customers is using the video capabilities of OWL to create tests to assess student's understanding of American Sign Language.

Interpreter Certification -- A national certification board is using OWL to deliver their validated interpretation exam in several languages. The exam consists of both sight translation and role play. The role play component simulates a situation where the candidate would have to rapidly switch between the target language and English.

High Stakes, SOPI-like Testing -- Perhaps the most popular use any on-line testing application, many of our customers use OWL to create, deliver, assess and report on "high stakes" SOPI-like testing. One of large public school district uses this application at 2-3 year intervals. These tests begin in 5th or 8th grade and are often given a second time in 11th or 12th grade. These tests are given in more than eight languages to thousands students each year. This district has done several validation studies over several years correlating these tests with OPI's given by certified OPI raters including the current president of ACTFL.

English Speaking Assessment -- One university is using OWL to administer speaking proficiency assessments to their graduate students seeking to become teaching assistants. They are assessing the English capabilities of those for whom English is a second language. Each department adds their prospective teaching assistants to OWL and views a report of how each student in their department tested. The test is rated using multiple blind ratings by trained raters. These multiple ratings, from 2-5 for each candidate, are then averaged and rounded to generate a score that matches the 5 point intervals used for the English speaking proficiency assessment.

Pre- and Post-Achievement Tests -- These tests are primarily multiple choice and are given in several grades to demonstrate student progression from the beginning of the year to the end. They are given in 7 languages to an average of 3,000 students each year. OWL has a built-in reporting feature which allows these pre and post tests to be easily compared within and across languages.

'Prochievement' Exams -- One western school district uses OWL to deliver large "high stakes" yearly final exams. Their "prochievement" exams are a combination of proficiency and achievement tests. The tests consist of two parts; the first part is a standard multiple choice section and the second is a SOPI-like test.

Teacher Screening -- to OWL; but, this test is not for students. They are now using OWL to deliver teacher candidate tests. These tests are used to demonstrate teacher candidate proficiency as part of a pre-interview screening process. The teacher candidate tests have a primary section which is a SOPI-like test. The second and third sections consist of speaking and writing questions about general knowledge of the language and culture.

Study Abroad -- One western university used OWL to conduct a study which to quantify the proficiency gains of second language learners before, during and after a study abroad experience. OWL's web-based platform was used to deliver tests on campus in the United Sates, and while studying abroad in locations such as Chile, Spain, Italy, China and Egypt. These tests were then assessed by raters on campus here in the United States.

English as a Second Language -- A partner of OWL uses OWL Testing Software to create and deliver ESL tests which are specifically designed for a given workplace setting. These tests an American English test are based on the Cambridge ARELS test.

'Low Stakes' Testing -- Many schools also use OWL for a number of teacher created "low stakes" tests. These include in-class quizzes and regular in-class, achievement and proficiency testing. These in-class tests are given in 7 languages to almost all language students (approx. 12,000 in one district). Teachers are able to use OWL to view a "gradebook" report of these in-class tests and quizzes.

Practice Activities for Language Students -- Finally, OWL can be used to create, deliver and report on Practice Activities for Language Students (PALS). The Perspective feature on the facing page details how OWL’s PALS program can help students build vocabulary in a challenging and fun way.

Chris Dalessandri is the President of OWL Testing Software.

Spotlight: ICTC Selects OWL Testing Software

OWL Testing Software is proud to announce that the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) has selected OWL Testing Software. ICTC is a not-for-profit council, dedicated to creating a highly educated, prepared and diverse workforce, including integrating Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) into Canada's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. ICTC will use OWL to enhance their Workshops Online, an online, e-learning tool for newcomers to Canada and their stakeholders.

View the ICTC Press Release for more information on OWL's latest customer.

Perspective: Practice Activities for Language Students

1392 language students, 18 different schools, 47,806 practice activities, 2 short weeks

It may sound like an impossible combination, but that is just what the Pittsburgh Public Schools did by taking advantage of OWL’s state-of-the-art language practice technology. In a recent article released by the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA), Dr. Thekla Fall describes how Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) used OWL’s Practice Activities for Language Students (PALS) module to create a district-wide language competition.

Read the full PALS Article to learn how OWL Testing Software helped make this seemingly impossible goal a reality.

Focus on Features: OWL's Latest Release

The latest version of OWL Testing Software, OWL v3.6.10, gives users even more flexibility and control over on-line test authoring, rating and administration.