Abstract
The rapid increase in demand for American Sign Language (ASL) instruction between 1998 and 2002 created pervasive challenges in effectively assessing and documenting ASL learner performance. To address these challenges, we designed and developed the Avenue ASL e-assessment environment: an integrated, network-based software system to capture, evaluate, and manage ASL learner performances. In this paper, we present a design overview of the Avenue ASL system and use a lens of design-based research to examine how the theoretical foundations of the project have been enhanced through an iterative continuation of theory, design, and implementation research. The paper concludes with a discussion of potential further design applications, beyond ASL.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 155-168 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Learning, Media and Technology |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2008 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:In an effort to explore and address the aforementioned ASL learner assessment challenge, our design team, a collaboration of faculty from the Learning Technologies, Special Education, and ASL programs at the University of Minnesota, developed the Avenue ASL e-assessment environment. The Avenue ASL project, currently in its final phase of implementation and research, is funded by a four-year Department of Education FIPSE grant (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education). In this paper, we present a design overview of the Avenue ASL e-assessment system and use a lens of design-based research (DBR) to examine how the theoretical foundations of the project have been enhanced through an
Funding Information:
This research was supported in part by grants from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), US Department of Education. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed. The Avenue ASL e-assessment environment was awarded first place in the first annual Innovations in Instructional Design and Development Showcase at the 2007 Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) conference.
Keywords
- American Sign Language
- Design-based research
- Language performance e-assessment