Provide a typist for computer-inexperienced Malawian students taking the TOEFL.
Provide a typist for computer-inexperienced Malawian students taking the TOEFL.
The Issue
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for admission to most U.S. universities. It's offered as a computer-based test here in Malawi -- a country where just 9.8% of the population has access to electricity and only the wealthy few can afford computers. This presents a marked disadvantage to poor students from rural areas without access to computers.
Three such students -- Gunde, Aubrey, and Cidreck -- are preparing to take the TOEFL this November. Although they're proficient in spoken and written English, I'm afraid their lack of computer experience will negatively impact their scores.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS; the organization that developed the TOEFL) provides a writer/recorder of answers for people with disabilities. However, they have refused to offer the same service to my students. If the TOEFL were a measure of computer skills, I would understand. But according to the ETS:
The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.
No mention is made of computer skills. If the TOEFL is intended to measure a student's "ability to use and understand English," but the student is unable to demonstrate their English-language abilities because they don't know how to use a computer, this is not an accurate measurement.
Some may argue that because they’re unfamiliar with technology, these students are ill-equipped for the rigors of education in the U.S. But universities offer services like note-takers and tutors to assist African students while they learn computer skills. Besides, we’re talking about students who regularly wake up hours before dawn to do household chores or work in the field, and then walk upward of an hour on an empty stomach just to get to school. Anyone that dedicated to education has what it takes to succeed at university.
The ETS also states that its aim is to "advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research." In the spirit of advancing equity in education to these three talented Malawian students, I urge the ETS to provide them with a writer/recorder of answers this November. If you agree and would like to join me in this appeal, please sign and share this petition.
Sources
The Issue
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for admission to most U.S. universities. It's offered as a computer-based test here in Malawi -- a country where just 9.8% of the population has access to electricity and only the wealthy few can afford computers. This presents a marked disadvantage to poor students from rural areas without access to computers.
Three such students -- Gunde, Aubrey, and Cidreck -- are preparing to take the TOEFL this November. Although they're proficient in spoken and written English, I'm afraid their lack of computer experience will negatively impact their scores.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS; the organization that developed the TOEFL) provides a writer/recorder of answers for people with disabilities. However, they have refused to offer the same service to my students. If the TOEFL were a measure of computer skills, I would understand. But according to the ETS:
The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.
No mention is made of computer skills. If the TOEFL is intended to measure a student's "ability to use and understand English," but the student is unable to demonstrate their English-language abilities because they don't know how to use a computer, this is not an accurate measurement.
Some may argue that because they’re unfamiliar with technology, these students are ill-equipped for the rigors of education in the U.S. But universities offer services like note-takers and tutors to assist African students while they learn computer skills. Besides, we’re talking about students who regularly wake up hours before dawn to do household chores or work in the field, and then walk upward of an hour on an empty stomach just to get to school. Anyone that dedicated to education has what it takes to succeed at university.
The ETS also states that its aim is to "advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research." In the spirit of advancing equity in education to these three talented Malawian students, I urge the ETS to provide them with a writer/recorder of answers this November. If you agree and would like to join me in this appeal, please sign and share this petition.
Sources
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Petition created on 10 August 2015