Towards the Implementation of E-Assessment in L2 IsiZulu: An Examination of Four Listening Comprehension Tests

Introduction

Computer-based assessments or electronic assessments (e-assessments) in the learning and teaching of a second language (L2) are rapidly changing the way language teachers assess in tertiary education. The plethora of online assessment tools and software available for language teachers to use has reshaped the way languages are taught, learned and assessed. However, an important consideration is that technology is not about “whether we use technology, but how we use it” (Mercado, 2017, p. 2), which means that technology should be for a purpose to benefit both learners and teachers. Technology offers learners new ways “to learn, practice and strategize”, and teachers can “make the instructional process more diverse, effective, efficient, engaging and contextually meaningful” (Mercado, 2017, p. 2). Technology affords multi-modal opportunities, that is, aural, written and with visual prospects for learners and language teachers to execute work within complex tasks (Ellis, 2018, p. 17). For instance, Moodle is the selected open-source learning management system (LMS), available to all academics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. In 2016, Moodle was launched as the official LMS at UKZN and as the mandatory phase-in across all disciplines (UKZN, 2015). Academics were provided with rudimentary Moodle training to use software to complement the teaching and learning process. Training consisted of navigating through the platform, uploading lecture material and notes and posting messages. Features such as discussion forums, chats and assessment tools were excluded from the training. Thus, the norm was posting messages related to the discipline, and uploading lecture notes. However, very little Moodle intervention occurred in teaching, learning and assessment.

As with many global tertiary institutions, South African institutions are faced with large student enrolments (Snowball, 2014). Consequently, teaching workloads have escalated, particularly the assessment of large cohorts of students. At UKZN, English is used as the language of instruction. However, the university is located in a province where the majority are L1 speakers of isiZulu. Hence, the implementation of UKZN’s compulsory language rule for non-mother-tongue speakers of isiZulu (UKZN, 2014). This has resulted in a significant increase in student enrolment within the Basic IsiZulu module. Traditional pen-and paper-based assessments became challenging and impractical, and it was apparent that an alternative mode of assessment was required. Assessing in an electronic environment was not implemented in the teaching and learning of African languages in South Africa. Academics who teach in the Basic isiZulu module have experimented using the Quiz tool available in Moodle as part of the assessment rigor. The rationale for adopting and implementing the Quiz tool as formative assessments is to integrate technology in the teaching and learning of isiZulu and to create an opportunity for digital generation students to interact with online assessments innovatively. Formative assessments are implemented for developmental purposes, thereby providing students with the opportunity to review and improve their performance.