DEH Talk: Dr. Gregory Tweedie on “Socially Just Educational Measurement”

DEH Talk: Dr. Gregory Tweedie on “Socially Just Educational Measurement”

Publish Date: 
Monday, July 25, 2022

On July 25, 2022, the Department of English and Humanities (DEH) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) held a workshop titled “Socially Just Educational Measurement: Are Educational Language Tests Measuring Up?” conducted by Dr. M. Gregory Tweedie, Associate Professor of Language and Literacy, Wurkland School of Education, University of Calgary,  Canada. Dr. Tweedie has a PhD in Education (with a focus on Applied Linguistics), and his research focuses on the assessment and pedagogy of English as an international language for professional communication.

The workshop’s main focus was to introduce the web application TestPredikt., which uses scientific and data-driven tools to help a student ace their upcoming language tests like IELTS and TOFEL. It is primarily based on the functions of machine learning, artificial intelligence for language learning and testing, and the knowledge of applied linguistics. With each practice test, TestPredikt automatically evaluates the test-takers’ performance and predicts how long it will take them to reach the scores they need. When a test taker is finally ready to take their language test, TestPredikt can show them by comparison which specific test type will give the best chance of success. Currently under construction, TestPredikt is expected to launch once it reaches a 90% percent accuracy rate of prediction.

Dr, Tweedie’s presentation was followed by a very active fifteen-minute Question and Answer session. The event was attended by students and faculty members of ULAB.

Report by Maliha Huq, TA, DEH (202056005)