The role of e-rubrics in the evaluation of digital materials for language teaching in virtual learning environments.

Abstract

This paper shows a research project which analyses the usefulness of e-rubrics in terms of peer assessment, evaluation of digital materials for languages and also assessment of language skills from the perspective of collaborative and cooperative work, undertaken by 40 students from the Masters in Information and Communication Technology for the teaching and processing of languages at the Spanish National University for Distance Learning (UNED). Following a methodological framework based on virtual, collaborative action-research, a qualitative analysis is applied with a twofold approach: firstly through the use of Atlas-Ti and secondly through a reticular, category based social network analysis thanks to UCINET and yED Graph Editor. This methodological procedure allows understanding the shape and structure of relationships as a whole, enabling us to uncover hidden interaction patterns. Results show that the use of e-rubrics optimizes self-assessment, the adequacy of assessment criteria as well as the study of functionality and usefulness in terms of format and connectivity in the audio-visual elements included in digital online resources. Furthermore, e-rubrics are deemed as significantly effective for discerning indicators of productivity and language skills, especially in aspects such as oral and written production and lexico-grammatical processes.

Keywords

• e-rúbricas
• coevaluación
• lenguas extranjeras
• materiales digitales
• entornos virtuales de aprendizaje