• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

In this study, we introduce the background and model for the Test of Practical Competency in ICT(TOPCIT), which is designed to diagnose and assess the competency of ICT industry related workers and software(SW) developers, and also attempt to derive meaningful policy implications for developing a global level of ICT SW competency evaluation system across the different cases in domestic and foreign countries with regard to the application and dissemination of the TOPCIT. First, we analyze the test results from surveys conducted a preliminary test (or a pilot test) for the process of global dissemination of the TOPCIT in 2015. Then, we attempt to compare the results with the domestic test results. The findings show that the average score between domestic and foreign test takers was similar, but in the highest score group, the number of domestic test takers was relatively higher than the number of foreign test takers. Moreover, the average score can be varied by the language ability, especially fluent in English, of test takers. Therefore, the findings suggest that the localization is one of the key components for building upon the global TOPCIT system.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.387-401
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• 2004

The recent international comparative studies such as PISA(Program for International Student Assessment) and TIMSS-R(Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat) provide results of relative mathematics achievement of participating countries. The purpose of this paper is to compare the mathematics results of PISA and TIMSS-R. To make PISA and TIMSS-R results comparable, they were standardized. The close investigation of these standardized results reveals that the two Asian countries(Korea and Japan) and several English speaking countries have the commonality in mathematics achievement. Thus this study looks for patterns and similarities within a group of Asian countries(Korea and Japan) and Western countries(the U.S and Australia) by in-depth analysis of PISA mathematics achievement based on item response theory. As a result, it was noted that Western countries tend to perform well on open constructed items and are likely to perform better when an item involves less formal mathematics. On the other hand, Asian countries perform well when an item involves numeric or algebraic computation related to curriculum-based content, but they are relative poor at an item calls for verbal explanations or interpretations of graphs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.550-558
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• 2014

The purposes of the study are to introduce and apply an activity that can help improve student-initiated learning on the TOEIC Speaking Test (TOEICST) performance and to see students' attitude toward the activity. Twenty-eight university students in Chungcheong province engaged in learning based on this activity. In the present study, the activity proposed by McCormick and Vercellotti (2013) and Stillwell, Curabba, Alexander, Kidd, Kim, Stone, & Wyle (2010) was modified and adapted[14][19]. The outline of the Task Recording Activity (TRA) consisted of three steps: preparation step, Task Recording Activity step, and evaluation step. As data collection of the study, a survey and students' journal were utilized and qualitatively analyzed. The results showed that student-initiated learning activity could be applied positively not only in communicative lessons, but in TOEICST specific lessons as well. Additionally, participants showed positive attitudes toward self-transcription and self-correction. Some implications of the study are that the TRA can be applied to generate autonomous learners studying for the TOEIC Speaking Test, that the guideline for different proficiency can be developed to help them improve their self-reflection, and that students need to have an active attitude to lead their own learning.