ALTAANZ Conference 2023
Online, 14-16 November 2023
Call for Proposals
Theme: Intersections, Crossings and Barriers
Proposals are encouraged from practitioners and researchers (both established and emerging) whose assessment practices or research are at the intersection of language and content, or whose assessment work straddles professional, disciplinary, social or linguistic boundaries that arise in workplaces, schools, institutions, organisations and jurisdictions. Proposals are invited for research papers, works-in-progress, demonstrations, roundtables and workshops. We welcome papers on any topic related to language testing and assessment, but areas of particular interest are:
The deadline for submitting proposals is 31 May, 2023.
****Click on this link to submit your proposal****
Submissions require:
For general enquiries about the conference, email: altaanz2023@gmail.com
Research Papers
This format is best suited to developed empirical research or theoretical work. Research papers are 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of discussion. Empirical papers should include the research objectives, methods, results, conclusions, and implications. Theoretical or conceptual papers should discuss an approach, a framework or a critical issue, and provide new insights. Preference will be given to papers which address the listed areas of interest, but other topics will be considered. The proposal must not exceed 300 words.
Works-in-Progress (WIPs)
A WIP session is an opportunity to seek feedback on research projects or assessment practices which are in development. Presenters give a brief overview of the project, their progress so far, issues arising and plans. The proposal must not exceed 300 words. WIP sessions are 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of discussion.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations are an opportunity to introduce innovative tools, practices, methods or products for developing, scoring, analysing, delivering or researching language assessments. Presenters should demonstrate the innovation as experientially as possible. Demonstrations are 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of discussion. A 300-word proposal should include aim of the demo, a description of the tool, practice, method or product and its intended use, and how the presenters intend to engage the audience in the demonstration.
Roundtables
A roundtable is a 60-minute structured discussion on a critical issue to the language assessment community, such as a specific policy area, a particular research concern or an assessment practice. Up to four individual presenters may present brief perspectives on the issue (e.g., 5-10 minutes), highlighting just a few key points. A moderator/discussant should introduce the topic, control the timing and offer ample opportunity for audience discussion within the scheduled timeslot. This format is best suited for current issues which the organisers would like to bring to the attention of the audience and seek input on. It is not a format for assessment product display. A 500-word proposal should include the topic of the roundtable, a rationale for its inclusion in the conference, the nature of the participants’ roles in the topic area (e.g., a policy expert, a secondary school teacher), their topics and the structure and timing of the session. Participant names should not be mentioned in the body of the proposal.
Workshops
A workshop is a 60-minute activity-based interactive session aimed at sharing practical/professional skills with the ALTAANZ community. The session should offer participants hands-on experience of a particular area of assessment practice e.g., item writing, portfolio design, or research practice, e.g., an analytical method. A 500-word proposal should include the topic of the workshop, the expertise of the facilitators (in general terms), the intended participant group, an outline of the proposed activities and the structure and timing of the session. The central activity should be feasible in the time slot. Facilitator names should not be mentioned in the body of the proposal. This is not a format for assessment product display.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Assessment which intersects content areas and language ability, e.g., in Content-Based Instruction, Literacy or LSP assessment
- Assessment of subject content (e.g., science, history) through additional languages
- Multilingual assessment and assessment in multilingual contexts
- Interactions between large-scale standardised assessments/frameworks and classroom practices
- Assessments and tests with multiple uses
- Accessibility, accommodations and Universal Design
- Intersections between learning and assessment
- Collaborations across stakeholder groups
- Language assessment policy and practice: ethics and accountability
- Creating, expanding and reconceptualising theoretical models and validity frameworks for language assessment
- Classroom-based assessment: new developments, challenges, local practices
- Standardised tests: development, implementation and/or use
- Technological innovations or applications in language assessment
- Non-traditional contexts of learning and assessment, e.g., remote assessment, home schooling
- Research methodology for exploring language assessment practice
The deadline for submitting proposals is 31 May, 2023.
****Click on this link to submit your proposal****
Submissions require:
- Title (20 words or less)
- Proposal containing no author names: Research papers 300 words, works-in-progress 300 words, demonstrations 300 words, roundtables 500 words, workshops 500 words
- An 80-word summary
- Three key terms
- Full names and emails of all authors
- Time zone of presenter/s in November 2023
For general enquiries about the conference, email: altaanz2023@gmail.com
Research Papers
This format is best suited to developed empirical research or theoretical work. Research papers are 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of discussion. Empirical papers should include the research objectives, methods, results, conclusions, and implications. Theoretical or conceptual papers should discuss an approach, a framework or a critical issue, and provide new insights. Preference will be given to papers which address the listed areas of interest, but other topics will be considered. The proposal must not exceed 300 words.
Works-in-Progress (WIPs)
A WIP session is an opportunity to seek feedback on research projects or assessment practices which are in development. Presenters give a brief overview of the project, their progress so far, issues arising and plans. The proposal must not exceed 300 words. WIP sessions are 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of discussion.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations are an opportunity to introduce innovative tools, practices, methods or products for developing, scoring, analysing, delivering or researching language assessments. Presenters should demonstrate the innovation as experientially as possible. Demonstrations are 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of discussion. A 300-word proposal should include aim of the demo, a description of the tool, practice, method or product and its intended use, and how the presenters intend to engage the audience in the demonstration.
Roundtables
A roundtable is a 60-minute structured discussion on a critical issue to the language assessment community, such as a specific policy area, a particular research concern or an assessment practice. Up to four individual presenters may present brief perspectives on the issue (e.g., 5-10 minutes), highlighting just a few key points. A moderator/discussant should introduce the topic, control the timing and offer ample opportunity for audience discussion within the scheduled timeslot. This format is best suited for current issues which the organisers would like to bring to the attention of the audience and seek input on. It is not a format for assessment product display. A 500-word proposal should include the topic of the roundtable, a rationale for its inclusion in the conference, the nature of the participants’ roles in the topic area (e.g., a policy expert, a secondary school teacher), their topics and the structure and timing of the session. Participant names should not be mentioned in the body of the proposal.
Workshops
A workshop is a 60-minute activity-based interactive session aimed at sharing practical/professional skills with the ALTAANZ community. The session should offer participants hands-on experience of a particular area of assessment practice e.g., item writing, portfolio design, or research practice, e.g., an analytical method. A 500-word proposal should include the topic of the workshop, the expertise of the facilitators (in general terms), the intended participant group, an outline of the proposed activities and the structure and timing of the session. The central activity should be feasible in the time slot. Facilitator names should not be mentioned in the body of the proposal. This is not a format for assessment product display.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Relevance to the theme and/or importance to the field of language assessment
- Appropriateness and quality of the content for the session type
- Clarity, coherence and completeness of the proposal