Effectiveness of Assessment and Learner Centered Character Strengths Model among Middle School children

Abstract

The present study titled- Effectiveness of Assessment and Learner Centered Character newlineStrengths Model among Middle School Children attempts to understand the importance of newlineassessment in the field of education impact of learning styles, motivation and learning newlinestrategies, and character strengths on academic performance and happiness. The study newlinedeveloped Learner Centered Character Strengths Model (LCCSM). An initiative was to newlinedevelop n integrated intervention model to create positive classroom. LCCSM intervention newlinemodel was developed by integrating Learner Centered Approach and Character Strengths to newlineimprove academic performance and happiness among children. The study also worked on newlinedeveloping Global Performance Assessment Format to have right tapping of skills to create newlinepositive classroom. Hence not only cognitive abilities but also psycho emotive and character newlinestrengths can be assessed. The study was executed in three Phases. newlinePhase I- The focus of Phase I was to understand the assessment technique, challenges faced by newlinechildren and also to identify the need for global performance assessment format. Data was newlinecollected through Focused Group Discussion. Two Focused Group Discussions were facilitated newlineby the scholar with the academicians, parents, students, experts, psychologists, counsellors and newlineresearch scholars. Themes were developed based on the responses given in FGD. Thematic newlineanalysis showed that formative assessment was appreciated and summative assessment was newlineaccepted. Challenges of formative and summative assessment techniques were discussed. newlineAccording to the analysis character strengths could be considered for assessment. The study newlineidentified the need for global performance assessment format. newlinePhase II- The study focused to identify the impact of learning styles, motivation and learning newlinestrategies and character strengths on academic performance and happiness among middle newlineschool children. Middle school children pursuing their 7th grade at CBSE schools in Bangalore newlinewere selected for the study. For the purpose of assessment, following tools were used in the newlinestudy. Raven s Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) was used for screening. Kolb Learning newlineStyle Inventory was used to assess learning styles. Motivated Strategies for Learning newlineQuestionnaire (MSLQ) was used to assess motivation and learning strategies. Values in Action newlineInventory-Youth Survey was used to asses Character Strengths. Oxford Happiness newlineQuestionnaire was used to assess happiness level. Tools were administered on samples newline(N=300). Responses were scored for further analysis. Correlation analysis show that some of newlinethe factors under learning styles, motivation and learning strategies and character strengths newline newlineshow relationship with academic performance and happiness. Mediating analysis shows that newlineintelligence has no significant indirect effect on academic performance through character newlinestrengths. This explains that character strengths can be used to train children and improve their newlineacademic performance. newlinePhase III- The study intended to identify the effectiveness of LCCSM in Phase III. Learner newlinecentered approach is crucial in the process of teaching-learning among children. Character newlinestrengths from positive psychology have been effective in creating positive classroom. Learner newlinecentered approach training to the teachers and training children on character strengths to create newlinepositive classroom was the goal of the LCCSM. Pre and Post experimental and control design was newlineused for the execution of Phase III. Samples from Phase II were selected for Phase III study. newlineSamples were divided into experimental and control group. The intervention model was newlinefacilitated to the experimental group. The effectiveness of LCCSM on overall academic newlineperformance, performance in English and Maths, learning styles, motivation and learning newlinestrategy and character strengths were assessed. Results show that LCCSM can be effective on newlinethe variables of the study. Global Performance Assessment Format was developed based on newlinethe results from all three phases. Formative assessment, summative assessment, Character newlineStrengths and Self and Peer Assessment has been considered for a holistic approach of newlineassessment. newlineOverall objective of the study is to create positive classroom and well-being among children. newlineResults from all three phases have given an integrative approach of the study to understand the newlineassessment techniques, impact of cognitive and psycho emotive abilities on academic newlineperformance. This has lead to the development of Global Performance Assessment Format. newlineLCCSM and Global performance Assessment Model together would create positive classroom newlineand improve well-being among children. newline