Evaluating learning gain in a self-access centre

Abstract

Previous research suggests that the issue of learning gain is crucial to any discussion of Self-Access Centre (SAC) evaluation. However, Morrison (2005b) points out that there is no research-based framework specifically developed for evaluating the effectiveness of SAC. He suggests looking to the learners to identify evidence of learning gain. This study adopts a learner-centred approach to evaluating the learning gain in a SAC. Quantitative data were collected from pre- and post-questionnaires while qualitative data were collected from learner portfolios, learners’ written reflections, two individual collaborative evaluation meetings and the language advisor’s evaluation. All participants perceived themselves as having learning gains which include metacognitive knowledge and strategies, language gain and socioaffective gain. This study discovered some factors which are conducive to evaluating learning gain in a SAC: learners must be given the central role in the evaluation process; support and guidance must be provided for learners; and different learnercentred evaluation tools can be used. It is clear that evidence of learning gain in a SAC cannot be sought by traditional types of language assessments. A better alternative is learners’ self-assessments based upon perceptual rather than objective data.