Gebremariam, Hailay Tesfay
2 Publications in AERD
Author Publications
Export PDFEffects of students’ self-reflection on improving essay writing achievement among Ethiopian undergraduate students: a counterbalanced design
By Gebremariam, Hailay Tesfay
Reflection in education has seen an upsurge in research interest since as reported by Dewey (How we think, Prometheus Books, Buffalo, 1991) ground-breaking work, which plays an integral role in fostering students’ self-reflection and demonstrable learning skills. However there have not been enough studies to determine whether writing instruction from the perspective of self-reflection before action improves undergraduate students' essay writing achievement. This article investigates the effects of Ethiopian university-undergraduate students’ self-reflection before action on their essay writing achievement through the mediation of teaching writing instruction. The study's methodology involved two phases of intervention in a counterbalanced design. The participants were 47 male and female students aged 19–22, from Arba Minch University. They were assigned to a control group and an experimental group using the matched sampling technique. During the first phase, the experimental group (Group A) was instructed to engage in self-reflection-based course activities over a period of two months while the control group was not. In the second phase Group B was engaged in self-reflection-based course activities over a period of two months while Group A was kept under control. To collect data, preliminary students’ self-reflection was provided using an open-ended questionnaire, and pre- and post-tests of writing were given to both groups. Mean and standard deviation statistics were applied after the thematic analysis of the qualitative data. Additionally, a univariate analysis of variance was performed to answer the query regarding the impact of self-reflection on students' essay writing performance. The findings demonstrated that, despite the students encountering numerous difficulties during their essay-writing exercises; the self-reflection-based instruction had a significant positive impact on the participants' essay-writing achievement. In conclusion, the findings have some implications for teaching essay writing instructions. © 2023, The Author(s).
Assessment for learning strategies: Amharic Language Teachers' Practice and Challenges in Ethiopia
By Gebremariam, Hailay Tesfay
Assessment for learning, which is one of the assessment genres, is a means of gathering information during teaching and learning and it is helpful to determine students' success in learning. The article aims at examining the understanding of Amharic language teachers on the strategies and challenges of assessment for learning practices. To meet this objective, participants were selected through the cluster random sampling technique for a questionnaire survey (n=180) from all levels of general education (i.e., grades one to twelve). Twelve (12) teachers for an in-depth interview and four (4) teachers for an informal conversation were also selected through cluster random sampling and ,. The data acquired through the closed-ended items of the questionnaire was analyzed by a one-sample t-test while the data obtained through an open-ended items of the questionnaire; interviews, and informal conversation were analyzed qualitatively through verbal descriptions. The results from a closed-ended questionnaire show that teachers practice of assessment for learning strategies in the classrooms. Conversely, the data from the open-ended questionnaire shows that most of the teachers' relied on the assessment of learning. Besides, their awareness of assessment for learning strategies was found limited. Moreover, lack of transparency, lack of knowledge and experience, school administrative problems, lack of training, and reliance on assessment preference are the challenges that teachers faced while attempting to implement assessment for learning strategies. Based on the findings, recommendations were also forwarded.
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