The Assessment of Bilingual Knowledge Organization Using Flow-Map Methodology

• In Event: Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: Division D Poster Session

Abstract

Although research to improve outcomes for English learners (EL) is a current area of high-need, there is a lack of methodology to assess changes in knowledge organization as students learn subject-area content and acquire the English language. This paper introduces novel methodology for the assessment of bilingual knowledge organization. It uses flow-map analysis, which elicits knowledge structure through a free-recall protocol. EL students were asked to recall in both Spanish and English what they knew about topics recently learned in science class. Free-recall narratives were then analyzed for complexity and content overlap across languages. The results reveal notable consistency with bilingual cognitive theory and provide initial validating evidence of the methodology.

Author

• Jason Wu, Teachers College, Columbia University