Student Opinions on Task-Based Approach as Formative Evaluation versus Exam-Based Approach as Summative Evaluation in Education

Abstract

The present study investigated ELT students’ opinions about theconvenience of exam-based or task-based approaches for their learning process,concerning three criteria that relate to the effectiveness of task-based and exambased education: 1. the contribution to the professional and personal developmentof the students (whether task-based or exam-based applications develop thembetter); 2. the contribution to their critical and creative skills; and 3. the advantagesand disadvantages of task-based and exam-based approaches. Exam-based approachas summative assessment type and task-based approach as formative assessmenttype were compared in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. Findingsindicate that the majority of the students are not satisfied with the summativeassessment system. Participants believe that the formative evaluation approach ismore appropriate for them. The results propose that the conventional approach,which is based on an exam-focused system in the English Language TeachingDepartment, should be changed in order to enhance future English teachers’creative skills as well as their personal and professional development as far aspossible.