Assessing Cognitive Skills in Early Childhood Education Using a Bilingual Early Language Learner Assessment Tool
Mei Tan1, Hechmi Kilani2, Ilia Markov2
1HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Abstract:
In this article, we propose that basic cognitive skills may be fostered and assessed in early childhood educational (pre-K) settings using a technology-based approach to assessment. BELLA (Bilingual English Language Learner Assessment), designed for use with both monolingual (English or Spanish speaking) and bilingual (English and Spanish speaking) children, is designed to attend to cognitive skill development in addition to (pre-)academic knowledge. Specifically, BELLA assesses analytical, creative, and practical thinking in 3-5-year-old children through unique item content and delivery. BELLA is among the first tablet-based pre-K assessments designed to assess cognitive skills needed for the era of the Anthropocene.
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