EDITORIAL TEAM: Alwyn Pang, Lee Hui Gek, Shafei Johomat

ADVISORS: Raymond Lim, Tan Eng Hong, Toh Poh Guan

Assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Whether implemented as national examinations or in the classroom, assessments contribute to the desired outcomes of education.

To support schools in their pursuit of sound assessment practices, SEAB is committed to promoting assessment literacy of teachers. Assessment literate educators would approach assessments with a clear purpose. In addition, they would know what is actually being assessed, how best to assess, what could go wrong and how to prevent problems before they occur. Such knowledge contributes to sound assessment practices.

As educators seek to provide greater diversity in curricula and instructional approaches in schools, there is a need for appropriate modes of assessments to assess different domains of learning. Assessment literate educators would know how and when to use each of these modes to serve the intended purpose of the assessment.

The requirement for high-quality assessment will continue to grow as educators endeavour to help more students to achieve their potential in academic excellence.

This issue of SEAB-ling features the training activities that SEAB has been offering in the area of educational assessment.

We hope you will have an enjoyable time reading this issue. Have a restful school holidays!

The SEAB-ling Editorial Team

PROMOTINGASSESSMENTLITERACY

ADVANCING ASSESSMENT PRACTICES IN SINGAPORE AND BEYOND

Customised Courses Conducted by SEAB• Principles of Assessment• Setting of Mathematics Items at Upper Primary Level• Chinese Language Assessment Workshop• Understanding Achievement Workshop• Principles and Practices of Evaluating Tests

Courses Conducted in Collaboration with MOE• Assessment Literacy for Beginning Teachers• P4 Assessment Workshop

In recent years, SEAB collaborated with MOE Staff Training Branch to conduct courses for school teachers on assessment principles and practices. Beginning primary school teachers attend the Assessment Literacy for Beginning Teachers workshops as part of their induction programme. In 2010, these workshops will be extended to beginning teachers from secondary schools. Another course, the P4 Assessment workshop, aims to equip teachers with the subject specific knowledge and skills to enable them to set good tests at Primary 4 level. To date, more than 3,000 school teachers have benefited from SEAB’s partnership with Staff Training Branch.

IN COLLABORATION WITH MOE

Contributed by Margaret Ng & Evelyn Loke

Training has become a key activity for SEAB. Since its inception in 2004, SEAB has trained approximately 10,000 examiners, school leaders and teachers through numerous workshops conducted for schools, polytechnics, ITE and other agencies both in Singapore and in various countries in the region. In line with SEAB’s mission to support the advancement of quality assessments, SEAB has offered customised workshops tailored to the specific needs and requests of the prospective participants and agencies. These workshops provide participants with specialised knowledge and skills in testing and assessment from a practice-oriented perspective.

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Information on SEAB’s training and consultancy services may be obtained from http://www.seab.gov.sg

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In 2009, SEAB introduced the Ideas to Items (i2i) workshop. This workshop is designed to help primary science teachers design good Science test items through a better understanding of the relationships between curriculum, instruction and assessment. Thus far, more than 100 teachers have attended this workshop.

Highlights of Ideas to Items• Understanding of the linkages between Syllabus,

Instruction and Assessment• Designing test items using the Revised Bloom’s

Taxonomy• Generating new ideas from source ideas

IDEAS TO ITEMS

Modules in the Programme

• Assessment and Curriculum• Principles and Practices of Assessment• Techniques in Assessment• Assessment Literacy Programme

(Practical Module)

These modules will engage participants in classroom instruction, self-study, coursework preparation and contact time with the instructors and supervisors. The Assessment Literacy Programme is a work-based study which will require participants to translate the assessment knowledge into practices in schools.

The new qualification in educational assessment is a professional qualification designed for teachers who wish to function as a knowledgeable facilitator, guide, coach or mentor in the field of assessment in their schools.

The course aims to equip these teachers with knowledge and skills in assessment and examinations. Besides the introduction to the best practices of assessment, these teachers will also learn the theoretical underpinnings of current and emerging assessment concepts and methods. The course structure will provide participants with the opportunity to translate general concepts and principles into practices in schools.

A key feature of this course will be the work-related practical module where participants will be guided in developing an assessment literacy programme for their school as a demonstration of their competency in educational assessment.

Registration for this new programme is scheduled for January 2010 with the first class commencing in March 2010.

SEAB has developed a new course in educational assessment to strengthen the capability andcapacity of the schools in assessment.

A NEW QUALIFICATION IN EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT

Information on Ideas to Items and the new qualification in educational assessment may be obtained from http://www.seab.gov.sg

The SEAB Seminar was held on 26 June 2009 at Bukit Batok Civil Service Club. The theme of this year’s seminar was Crossing Bridges Through Collaboration which aims to improve SEABlings’ mastery of communication tools to enhance organisational productivity. The one-day workshop was conducted by a team of experienced facilitators from Mindset Media, led by Mr Ricky Lien. The Seminar created a platform for all SEABlings to understand the framework for organisational excellence.

On a bright and sunny 7th August morning, eager and expectant SEABlings gathered in their groups in front of the main office building for the National Day Observance Ceremony. Armed with snack bags and quiz packs, the groups set out for Telok Blangah Hill after flag raising. As soon as they arrived at their destination, each of the 9 groups started on their trek on the Forest Walk past the scenic Alexandra Arch towards Hort Park. Being the task-oriented bunch that they were, groups were spotted strategising and working out the quiz questions before they had even alighted from the coaches.

SEAB Seminar 2009Crossing Bridges Through CollaborationSoaring to Greater Heights

Contributed by Roslinda SahamadChairpersonSEAB Seminar Organising Committee

The session provided insights into how the 5 Learning Organisation disciplines could be applied to SEABlings’ work and personal spheres of influence. In particular, SEABlings found the tools such as the Observation-Reflection-Interpretive-Decision (ORID) and the Quadrant Analysis models introduced in the Seminar very useful and applicable. The active participation from SEABlings across all divisions testified to the importance of team learning. At the end of the day, all SEABlings enjoyed the seminar, with good takeways.

SEAB congratulates the award winners:

Commendation MedalMr Syed Mohamed s/o Abdul GaffoorMs Kow Cheok Hui

Efficiency MedalMrs Gopala KrishnanMs Lim Sock Yin Joyce

Long Service MedalMr Lim Chee Keong

National Day Awards

When the groups arrived at Hort Park, it was to complete part 2 of the team challenge in the sprawling gardens. After the stimulating activities, it was back to Buona Vista Hall for lunch and more fun with table games and prizes. The event ended on a high note with much laughter, and more importantly, renewed friendships and camaraderie. Well, till the next Active Day 2010 then!

Contributed by Joshua AngChairperson, SEABlings Committee

SEABlings basked in the morning sun, soaking in the flora and fauna along the 1.3km walk, and enjoying each other’s company. What better way to embrace the 2009 National Day theme of ‘Come Together’!

Active Day 2009

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