Ana Gimeno

RESUMEN
El presente artículo forma parte de la investigación desarrollada en el proyecto Paulex Universitas con la intención de obtener información sobre los ítems más aceptados por los profesores de 2º de Bachillerato de cara al inicio de la fase de pruebas para examinar la viabilidad de la puesta en funcionamiento de la Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad (PAU) asistida por ordenador en España y, más específicamente, los siguientes aspectos: la posibilidad de automatización de la prueba, las tipologías de ejercicios más populares entre los profesores y la relación entre las mismas. Un total de 214 profesores respondieron a un cuestionario diseñado según el método Delphi, destinado a averiguar la tipología de ejercicios preferida en relación a las destrezas a evaluar. En lo referente a la automatización de la prueba, los datos obtenidos muestran la aceptación de una nueva versión del test de inglés de la PAU por parte de los profesores. En cuanto a las tipologías de ejercicios, las preferidas por los docentes son ejercicios de respuesta abierta y ejercicios de selección múltiple. Por su parte, en lo que respecta a la relación entre las distintas tipologías de ejercicios, no se aprecia una tendencia clara acerca de las las tareas: si deben ser comunicativas o, por el contrario, si deben ir dirigidas hacia la obtención de información objetiva. Por último, a pesar de sus reservas, los profesores consideran que la utilización de ordenadores sería un buen sistema para realizar el examen en su conjunto, independientemente del tipo de destrezas que se evalúen.

Palabras-clave: Actitudes de los profesores; Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad (PAU); Evaluación asistida por ordenador; Inglés como lengua extranjera; Tipología de ejercicios

ABSTRACT
This article stems from research carried out within the Paulex Universitas Project in order to gather relevant information regarding 2nd year baccalaureate professors’ preferences in terms of exercise typology with a view to analysing the feasibility of implementing a computer-based foreign language exam within the University Entrance Examination in Spain and, more specifically, the suitability of exam automation, professors’ preferred exercise typologies and the relationship between them. A total of 214 professors completed a questionnaire, administered in accordance with the Delphi method, enquiring about the typologies they preferred in relation to the language skills to be assessed. Regarding test automation, there was evidence that professors clearly accepted the proposed computer-based language exam. As for exercise typology, professors preferred open answer/input and multiple-choice exercises. With regard to the relationship between exercise typologies, there appears to be no visible marked tendency toward a specific type of task, as it is unclear whether communicative tasks or objective information tasks are preferred. Findings also showed that, despite some reservations, teachers consider computer use an overall good system for exam delivery regardless of the language skill being assessed.

Key words: Teachers’ attitudes; Spanish University Entrance Examination (PAU); Computer-Assisted Testing; English as a Foreign Language; Exercise typology
How to cite/ cómo citar:
Sevilla-Pavón, A.; García Laborda, J.; Gimeno Sanz, A. (2017). Actitudes de los profesores de la Comunidad Valenciana ante la tipología de ejercicios para la evaluación asistida por ordenador de las destrezas orales en la futura Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad. Revista Educação e Pesquisa, Ahead of print, 43, Epub 12.01.17: 1-18. ISSN: 1517-9702. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1517-9702201612149283

Language instructors who adopt the role of materials writers in order to provide their students with more accurate tailor-made learning resources usually start by closely examining their learners' needs and demands, as well as the distinctive features of the teaching context or situation in which those materials are going to be implemented. This idea is especially relevant when the linguistic resources are developed to be used by future engineers who access them to practice and learn a language that will have a dominant presence in their future working environment. This is a fact that encouraged the authors to design an online upper-intermediate level English course which incorporates relevant language resources directly linked to the disciplines and content covered by their students' university undergraduate degrees. The course is known as the InGenio FCE Online Course & Tester (Universitat Politècnica de València, 2011). The article illustrates how language instructors try to explore and find new ways, methods, typologies of exercises, and techniques which might help them create, promote, and implement learning systems capable of fostering an integral communicative competence and make the entire learning process more dynamic and attractive. A specific case study dealing with students who seek to make the most of combining Computer-Assisted Language Learning and English for Specific Purposes is described and analysed here. The reader is presented with a description of the steps that were taken to design innovative and engaging online courseware to cater for the learners' specific needs and the conclusions that have arisen from conducting a survey to analyse student perceptions and expectations

Resumen: Tras el anuncio por parte del Gobierno de la inclusión de una sección oral en el examen de lengua extranjera de la Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad, que estaba prevista para 2012, diferentes posibilidades en cuanto a la informatización de dicha sección se analizaron en un esfuerzo por encontrar una propuesta viable para la evaluación de las destrezas orales y un estudio cualitativo se llevó a cabo con 286 participantes. Los resultados arrojaron luz en cuanto a la recepción inicial de las soluciones tecnológicas desarrolladas dentro de un sistema de gestión del aprendizaje y en cuanto a la viabilidad de la informatización de la sección oral de la prueba, mostrando que es posible implantar un examen de lengua extranjera asistido por ordenador y adaptado a las características y requisitos anunciados en relación al contenido, la facilidad de uso y la seguridad.

Abstract: Following a Governmental decree announcing the inclusion of oral assessment in the foreign language exam within the Spanish University Entrance Examination to become effective in 2012, the authors set forth to analyse the possibilities of computerizing this exam and design a viable proposal to assess oral skills. To this end, a qualitative study with 286 participants was conducted. The results shed light on the initial acceptance of the technological solutions developed within a dedicated learning management system and on the feasibility of incorporating computerised oral assessment. Evidence that it is indeed possible to implement a computer-assisted foreign language exam adapted to the characteristics and requirements announced with regard to content, usability and security is also provided

Language instructors who adopt the role of materials writers in order to provide their students with more accurate tailor-made learning resources usually start by closely examining their learners' needs and demands, as well as the distinctive features of the teaching context or situation in which those materials are going to be implemented. This idea is especially relevant when the linguistic resources are developed to be used by future engineers who access them to practice and learn a language that will have a dominant presence in their future working environment. This is a fact that encouraged the authors to design an online upper-intermediate level English course which incorporates relevant language resources directly linked to the disciplines and content covered by their students' university undergraduate degrees. The course is known as the InGenio FCE Online Course & Tester (Universitat Politècnica de València, 2011). The article illustrates how language instructors try to explore and find new ways, methods, typologies of exercises, and techniques which might help them create, promote, and implement learning systems capable of fostering an integral communicative competence and make the entire learning process more dynamic and attractive. A specific case study dealing with students who seek to make the most of combining Computer-Assisted Language Learning and English for Specific Purposes is described and analysed here. The reader is presented with a description of the steps that were taken to design innovative and engaging online courseware to cater for the learners' specific needs and the conclusions that have arisen from conducting a survey to analyse student perceptions and expectations prior to and after completing the said online course.

Resumen: Tras el anuncio por parte del Gobierno de la inclusión de una sección oral en el examen de lengua extranjera de la Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad, que estaba prevista para 2012, diferentes posibilidades en cuanto a la informatización de dicha sección se analizaron en un esfuerzo por encontrar una propuesta viable para la evaluación de las destrezas orales y un estudio cualitativo se llevó a cabo con 286 participantes. Los resultados arrojaron luz en cuanto a la recepción inicial de las soluciones tecnológicas desarrolladas dentro de un sistema de gestión del aprendizaje y en cuanto a la viabilidad de la informatización de la sección oral de la prueba, mostrando que es posible implantar un examen de lengua extranjera asistido por ordenador y adaptado a las características y requisitos anunciados en relación al contenido, la facilidad de uso y la seguridad. Palabras clave Destrezas orales; prueba de acceso a la universidad; inglés como lengua extranjera; sistema de gestión del aprendizaje. Abstract Following a Governmental decree announcing the inclusion of oral assessment in the foreign language exam within the Spanish University Entrance Examination to become effective in 2012, the authors set forth to analyse the possibilities of computerizing this exam and design a viable proposal to assess oral skills. To this end, a qualitative study with 286 participants was conducted. The results shed light on the initial acceptance of the technological solutions developed within a dedicated learning management system and on the feasibility of incorporating computerised oral assessment. Evidence that it is indeed possible to implement a computer-assisted foreign language exam adapted to the characteristics and requirements announced with regard to content, usability and security is also provided

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