A SIMPLIFIED PATHWAY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALID AND RELIABLE TEACHER-MADE TESTS: INNOVATIVE ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES FOR 21ST CENTURY TEACHERS

Abstract

Acquisition of effective and innovative assessment knowledge and techniques among 21st century teachers are paramount to the attainment of educational goals of any nation. This underscores the need to educate and equip teachers at all levels of education on the crucial innovative assessment practices expected for the production of accurate and reliable feedback information during and after classroom instruction. The paper explored and discussed tests and some key psychometric properties that teachers should be conversant with in order to improve the quality of teacher-made tests which could generally result in the enhanced classroom assessment and evaluation. The paper further enumerated adoptable practical steps in item construction for school teachers and lecturers capable of improving the validity and reliability of the conventional teacher-made tests using effective and modern techniques in educational testing which could enhance the achievement of educational objectives. The author recommended among others, that teachers and lecturers should be having consistent refresher virtual and physical training opportunities as to be abreast of innovative assessment practices and techniques in learning institutions across the world as to foster best practices in educational testing