Students Writing Their Own Tests--An Experiment in Student-Centered Assessment in Two Cultures.

A study investigated the usefulness of adopting innovative, student-centered instructional techniques in two traditional but very different cultures, Turkey and Puerto Rico. In each country, the study occurred in a program to train teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). Using a student-centered approach, trainees learned how to prepare and present a classroom lesson and related test, then provide peer tutoring. Trainees wrote quiz and test items to assess their classmates' comprehension of this material, which were used alongside the teacher's test items. Results from three groups (two groups of ESL teacher trainees, one in each country, and one comparison group of ESL students who were taught using student-centered techniques) were evaluated. Student opinions were also elicited with a questionnaire. Results were mixed, suggesting that student receptiveness to innovative approaches is culturally conditioned. Further research is recommended before new teaching and testing methods, even those found to be effective and successful in other contexts, are implemented. (MSE)