Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards
Many undergraduate students struggle with developing their essay writing skills (EWS). On the other hand, studies have noted that teachers tend to rely on traditional instructional dashboards including assessments in writing classrooms. However, using traditional assessment (TA) may not accurately a...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125002992 |
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| author | Hailay Tesfay Gebremariam Marew Alemu Tessema Mulugeta Teka Kahsay Zeritu Asfaw Mulugeta Tsegaberhan Wodaj Ambaye Amare Teshome Mulatu |
| author_facet | Hailay Tesfay Gebremariam Marew Alemu Tessema Mulugeta Teka Kahsay Zeritu Asfaw Mulugeta Tsegaberhan Wodaj Ambaye Amare Teshome Mulatu |
| author_sort | Hailay Tesfay Gebremariam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many undergraduate students struggle with developing their essay writing skills (EWS). On the other hand, studies have noted that teachers tend to rely on traditional instructional dashboards including assessments in writing classrooms. However, using traditional assessment (TA) may not accurately assess students' abilities, resulting in gaps in understanding and areas for improvement. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Integrated Alternative Assessments (IAAs) in assessing university students' EWS. A counterbalanced design was utilized, involving two groups with two phases of implementation. Forty-seven first-year students participated in the study. Data collected included EWS evaluations from both implementation phases and student portfolios. Statistical analysis, including independent samples t-tests, MANOVA, and ANCOVA, was used to compare EWS differences between the experimental and control groups. Qualitative data from student portfolio annotations were also analyzed alongside quantitative data. Results indicated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in EWS mean scores between the experimental and control groups in both phases, with no significant differences after the two intervention phases between the two groups. Qualitative data supported the quantitative findings, emphasizing the importance of IAAs in improving EWS. This study suggests that IAAs are effective methods for enhancing students' EWS skills and recommends integrating EWS with IAAs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e3e1a74d1a584628a437265668c097cd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-e3e1a74d1a584628a437265668c097cd2025-08-20T02:36:26ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011110157110.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101571Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboardsHailay Tesfay Gebremariam0Marew Alemu Tessema1Mulugeta Teka Kahsay2Zeritu Asfaw Mulugeta3Tsegaberhan Wodaj Ambaye4Amare Teshome Mulatu5Department of Ethiopian Languages and Literature (Amharic), College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Department of Ethiopian Languages and Literature (Amharic), Faculity of Humanities, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaDepartment of English Language and Literature, Faculity of Humanities, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, EthiopiaDepartment of Ethiopian Languages and Literature (Amharic), College of Social Science and Humanities, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, EthiopiaDepartment of English Languages and Literature, College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, EthiopiaDepartment of Ethiopian Languages and Literature (Amharic), College of Social Science and Humanities, University of Gonder, Gonder, EthiopiaMany undergraduate students struggle with developing their essay writing skills (EWS). On the other hand, studies have noted that teachers tend to rely on traditional instructional dashboards including assessments in writing classrooms. However, using traditional assessment (TA) may not accurately assess students' abilities, resulting in gaps in understanding and areas for improvement. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Integrated Alternative Assessments (IAAs) in assessing university students' EWS. A counterbalanced design was utilized, involving two groups with two phases of implementation. Forty-seven first-year students participated in the study. Data collected included EWS evaluations from both implementation phases and student portfolios. Statistical analysis, including independent samples t-tests, MANOVA, and ANCOVA, was used to compare EWS differences between the experimental and control groups. Qualitative data from student portfolio annotations were also analyzed alongside quantitative data. Results indicated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in EWS mean scores between the experimental and control groups in both phases, with no significant differences after the two intervention phases between the two groups. Qualitative data supported the quantitative findings, emphasizing the importance of IAAs in improving EWS. This study suggests that IAAs are effective methods for enhancing students' EWS skills and recommends integrating EWS with IAAs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125002992Assessment methodsAuthentic instructionEssay writing skillsIntegrated alternative assessmentsWriting instructionUniversity students |
| spellingShingle | Hailay Tesfay Gebremariam Marew Alemu Tessema Mulugeta Teka Kahsay Zeritu Asfaw Mulugeta Tsegaberhan Wodaj Ambaye Amare Teshome Mulatu Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards Social Sciences and Humanities Open Assessment methods Authentic instruction Essay writing skills Integrated alternative assessments Writing instruction University students |
| title | Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards |
| title_full | Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards |
| title_fullStr | Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards |
| title_short | Using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills: An insight into authentic instructional dashboards |
| title_sort | using integrated alternative assessment to explore essay writing skills an insight into authentic instructional dashboards |
| topic | Assessment methods Authentic instruction Essay writing skills Integrated alternative assessments Writing instruction University students |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125002992 |
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