MALL-based Cumulative Group Dynamic Assessment in Remote Teaching: The Case of Distance Education in Iran

While various aspects of Group Dynamic Assessment (GDA) have been explored in previous studies, cumulative GDA in distance education is an under-researched area. This study aims to examine the effect of on teaching of cumulative GDA in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings with a focus on discourse markers. To this end, a mixed-methods design was adopted with speaking tasks of First Certificate in English (FCE) test and interviews used as the main instruments for collecting data in the quantitative and qualitative phases of this study. A total of 64 homogenized female EFL learners were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Cumulative GDA instruction of discourse markers in the experimental group was conducted by a teacher well-trained in intervention workshops. The analysis of the data based on T-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed a positive effect of GDA on the test group. In the qualitative phase of the study, interviews were used as the tool to reveal the attitudes of ten participants in the experimental group who opted to attend interview sessions. The content analysis of the interview results revealed that they had varied attitudes towards online cumulative GDA, and dominantly favoured this teaching approach in distance learning. The results highlight the importance of Assessment for learning (AfL) over Assessment of Learning (AoL) in distance education. Findings have implications for policy, practice and research.