Re-training writing raters online: How does it compare with face-to-face training?

Abstract

The training of raters for writing assessment through web-based programmes is emerging as an attractive and flexible alternative to the conventional method of face-to-face training sessions. Although some online training programmes have been developed, there is little published research on them. The current study aims to compare the effectiveness of online and face-to-face training in the context of a large-scale academic writing assessment for students entering a major English-medium university. A team of 16 raters, divided into two groups of 8, all initially rated a set of 70 scripts. In the training phase, the online group rated 15 benchmark scripts online and received immediate feedback,..