A Tablet-Based Curriculum-Based Measurement Protocol for Kindergarten Writing

Summary

This protocol presents the step-by-step method for using a writing-based, valid, and reliable application designed for kindergarten-level education. It operates as a curriculum-based assessment tool, specifically focusing on evaluating early writing skills in young learners.

Abstract

Kindergarten writing involves acquiring fundamental skills, such as letter formation, phonemic awareness, and the gradual use of written language to express ideas. In this context, tablet-based curriculum assessments present new opportunities for teaching and evaluating these early writing abilities. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no tool with these features available for Spanish-speaking children. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to present a tablet-based protocol for screening at-risk young writers. This tablet-based protocol is specifically designed for kindergarten-level education and serves as a curriculum-based assessment tool that focuses on evaluating early writing skills in young learners. This user-friendly application incorporates interactive tasks and exercises, including assessments of phonological awareness, name writing, alphabet letter copying fluency, and oral narrative skills. These comprehensive evaluations cover various aspects of writing. This application is meticulously aligned with kindergarten curriculum objectives, ensuring that assessments adhere to educational standards. By providing educators with a digital platform to assess and enhance students' writing skills, this tool empowers them to make data-driven decisions for effective instruction during the early stages of writing development. Moreover, it functions as a curriculum-based measurement (CBM), offers valuable support for identifying potential writing challenges in young learners and continuously monitoring their progress. This feature enables early intervention and tailored instruction to optimize writing skill development.

Introduction

The primary aim of this study is to introduce a multimedia assessment protocol for kindergarten students aimed at identifying potential writing difficulties and exploring its internal structure and diagnostic accuracy.

At the kindergarten level, writing marks the beginning of a child's literacy journey. It goes beyond scribbles and shapes, representing the foundation for communication and creative expression. The acquisition of writing skills is a matter of paramount concern because it requires the attention of parents, educators, children, and scholars alike. The World Health Organization (WHO)¹ (2001) designate....

Protocol

The protocol presented here was conducted in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Comité de Ética de la Investigación y Bienestar Animal (Research Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee, CEIBA), Universidad de La Laguna. The data were collected at three different time points, capturing information exclusively from students whose parents, administrations, and schools provided consent.

NOTE: The app used in the protocol is Tablet App Indicadores de Progreso de Aprendizaje en Escritura para Educación Infantil [Basic Early Writing Skills for Kindergarteners] (T-IPAE-K). It includes five tasks: 1) Copying Alphabet Letters, 2) Nam....

Results

For this study, 336 Spanish kindergarten students (boys = 163, girls = 173; M_age = 5.3 years (63.6 months), SD = 0.29) were recruited from state and private schools in urban and suburban regions of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Children with special educational needs were excluded. This included children with sensory impairments, acquired neurological conditions, or other issues traditionally deemed exclusionary criteria for learning disabilities. This information was sourced from th.......

Discussion

This study investigated the framework of a CBM in Spanish kindergarten students using a literature-informed model, examining how transcription skills and oral narrative abilities impact observable indicators throughout the academic year. The study highlights the lack of technology-driven CBM tools tailored for Spanish, hindering early writing progress assessment. To address this gap and emphasize the importance of identifying potential writing difficulties in young learners, a multimedia assessment protocol for kindergar.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Indicadores de Progreso de Aprendizaje en Escritura para Educación Infantil (T-IPAE-EI)“	Universidad de La Laguna	®Copyrigth, 2023	C826ED53A500DC82D7A7CD0F 03C136CDB8F5A8E41D4175 0052469CA4CC0E11F8