The preliminary development of computer-assisted assessment of Chinese handwriting performance

This paper describes a pilot study investigating an assessment for Chinese handwriting performance. In an attempt to computerize the existing Tseng Handwriting Problem Checklist (Tseng Checklist), this study employed MATLAB to develop a computer program entitled the Chinese Handwriting Assessment Program (CHAP) to be used for the evaluation of handwriting performance. Through a template-matching approach, the program processed each character by using size-adjustable standard models to calculate the two-dimensional cross-correlation coefficient of a template and a superimposed handwritten character. The program measured the size control, spacing, alignment, and the average resemblance between standard models and handwritten characters. The results of the CHAP's test-retest reliability showed that the high correlation coefficients (from .81 to .94) were statistically significant. Correlations between each CHAP and Tseng Checklist item were statistically significant. As these assessment tools for handwriting performance are required for quantitative and qualitative aspects, the integration of the two tools is a promising means for accomplishing a handwriting performance assessment.