Document Type
Original Study
Subject Areas
Education
Keywords
Portfolio assessment, Locus of control, Alternative to assessment, GE achievement
Abstract
Portfolio assessment as an alternative to assessing L2 competence is an interesting endeavour in Applied Linguistics. Previous research has shown that portfolio assessment impacts learning as well as certain psychological constructs. One important factor which is related to success in learning a language is Locus of Control (LOC) introduced by Rotter (1954). Previous research has shown that EFL learners’ achievement is partially related to their LOC. However, the effect of types of assessment on General English (GE) students’ LOC has scarcely been examined within General English context. This study aimed to find out the effects of portfolio assessment on the locus of control and the General English achievement of Iranian students. The researchers also analyzed the opinions of such students on portfolio assessment. To do so, 80 students of GE were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental one. The experimental group’s LOC and GE achievement were assessed through portfolios but those of the control group were assessed traditionally. Moreover, the attitudes of the experimental group students towards portfolios were explored. The independent T-test, Man-Witney U test, and Chi- square along with a semi-structured interview with 10 students of each group were conducted. The findings showed that portfolio assessment significantly improved GE students’ LOC and affected their achievement; however, the findings did not reveal the same results for the students in the traditional group. The results of the interviews also corroborated the quantitative ones. Furthermore, the analysis of students' attitudes towards portfolio assessment showed that the experimental group students had positive attitudes towards this kind of assessment. The findings of the study are discussed within a GE context.
How to Cite This Article
Shirvan, Majid Elahi and Golparvar, Seyyed Ehsan
(2016)
"The Effect of Portfolio Assessment on General
English Learners’ Locus of Control and Achievement,"
Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 19:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
DOI: 10.5782/2223-2621.2016.19.1.70
Available at:
https://kjhss.khazar.org/journal/vol19/iss1/6
Publication Date
2016