Learning in Relation: A Guide to Creating Online Indigenous Language Courses that Center Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being

ASSESSMENT
Kari A. B. Chew
Image: Chickasaw Rosetta Stone
All the CALL platforms we reviewed had some form of
learner assessment in which learners answer questions or
do activities based on the content of a lesson. Existing
approaches to assessment on popular CALL platforms do
not reflect Indigenous relational epistemologies, and
Indigenous course creators have little flexibility when
working within the confines of the existing technology.
Based on our research, we determined that assessment is
an area in need of growth and development within CALL,
especially for Indigenous language courses. In this section
we share an overview of approaches to assessment in CALL
courses, examples of relationality from our course review,
and suggestions for relational approaches to assessment
within CALL courses.
Approaches to Assessment
Quizzes and Tests vs. Games.
Image: Drops Ainu
Image: Navajo Duolingo
The platforms we reviewed either approached assessment
through designated quiz (or practice) and test sections or
through games or gamification. For example, Rosetta Stone
and 7000 Languages courses had designated sections of
lessons or units focused on assessment. In contrast, Drops
takes a game-based learning approach in which
assessment happens seamlessly as part of a game
environment. Similarly, Duolingo gamifies its courses,
integrating assessment throughout lessons and
checkpoints (Shortt et al., 2021). Learners can earn points,
badges, and other rewards. Notably, game-based learning
and gamification are not the same thing. Game-based
learning relies on actual games whereas gamification
incorporates principles of gaming in non-game
environments.
Question and Activity Types.
Image: Hän 7000 Languages
Across courses, the most common types of assessment
questions were matching, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank,
drag-and-drop, spelling, and word/conversation-order
questions. These types of questions help learners
memorize vocabulary, conjugate verbs, respond to
questions, work on oral and written comprehension,
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