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Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process

Teachers are expected to make regular assessments of pupils' writing, providing feedback about their strengths and weaknesses. If the computer could assist teachers in this task by effectively analysing the grammar element in children's writing, then the teacher's work load would be s...

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Main Authors: C.E. Holdich, Richard Holdich, Paul Chung
Format: Default Article
Published: 2003
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Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2134/2351
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author C.E. Holdich
Richard Holdich
Paul Chung
author_facet C.E. Holdich
Richard Holdich
Paul Chung
author_sort C.E. Holdich (7129406)
collection Figshare
description Teachers are expected to make regular assessments of pupils' writing, providing feedback about their strengths and weaknesses. If the computer could assist teachers in this task by effectively analysing the grammar element in children's writing, then the teacher's work load would be significantly reduced. A computer generated 'text analysis' of grammatical features would have the benefit of providing diagnostic information systematically and efficiently. Although text analysis is not new, it is generally restricted to applications aimed at adults. The development of a quantitative text analysis program, specifically geared to analysing children's writing was therefore considered profitable. This required an understanding of the development of children's writing abilities and the criteria of the National Curriculum levels of attainment for the Standard Assessment Tasks (SATs). Ten grammar features were selected for analysis. Stories reflecting the spread of attainment associated with the end of Key Stage 2 were analysed. The computer successfully distinguished positive and negative grammar features within these texts. Nevertheless, an assessment of qualitative genre details made by teachers will still be required, in order to provide a balanced assessment which includes all elements that contribute to effective writing.
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institution Loughborough University
publishDate 2003
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spelling rr-article-92435422003-01-01T00:00:00Z Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process C.E. Holdich (7129406) Richard Holdich (1253271) Paul Chung (1250973) Other information and computing sciences not elsewhere classified Elementary education Evaluation methodologies Improving classroom teaching Information and Computing Sciences not elsewhere classified Teachers are expected to make regular assessments of pupils' writing, providing feedback about their strengths and weaknesses. If the computer could assist teachers in this task by effectively analysing the grammar element in children's writing, then the teacher's work load would be significantly reduced. A computer generated 'text analysis' of grammatical features would have the benefit of providing diagnostic information systematically and efficiently. Although text analysis is not new, it is generally restricted to applications aimed at adults. The development of a quantitative text analysis program, specifically geared to analysing children's writing was therefore considered profitable. This required an understanding of the development of children's writing abilities and the criteria of the National Curriculum levels of attainment for the Standard Assessment Tasks (SATs). Ten grammar features were selected for analysis. Stories reflecting the spread of attainment associated with the end of Key Stage 2 were analysed. The computer successfully distinguished positive and negative grammar features within these texts. Nevertheless, an assessment of qualitative genre details made by teachers will still be required, in order to provide a balanced assessment which includes all elements that contribute to effective writing. 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 2134/2351 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Assessing_aspects_of_children_s_written_grammar_automating_the_process/9243542 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
spellingShingle Other information and computing sciences not elsewhere classified
Elementary education
Evaluation methodologies
Improving classroom teaching
Information and Computing Sciences not elsewhere classified
C.E. Holdich
Richard Holdich
Paul Chung
Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
title Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
title_full Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
title_fullStr Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
title_full_unstemmed Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
title_short Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
title_sort assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process
topic Other information and computing sciences not elsewhere classified
Elementary education
Evaluation methodologies
Improving classroom teaching
Information and Computing Sciences not elsewhere classified
url https://hdl.handle.net/2134/2351