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Lucubrate Magazine, February 13th, 2023
Practical exams and assessments are a step toward improving the quality of education. Practical exams are also helpful for employers as they can use them to assess the quality of potential employees.
Assessment for ensuring up-to-date qualification
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a crucial part of the education system, providing valuable skills students use in the workplace. Improving the general quality and value of TVET is essential for ensuring that students receive the best possible education.
The assessments will help ensure that students understand their chosen field comprehensively. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that TVET courses are up-to-date with current industry standards so that graduates are well-equipped to enter the workforce. Finally, it is also necessary to provide adequate resources and support for teachers to ensure quality teaching. By taking all these steps, we can improve the general quality and value of TVET, ensuring that students receive an education they can use in their future careers.
Assessment is all methods used to appraise performance by gathering evidence to determine whether learners, trainers, training methodologies, programmes and institutions have achieved the required standards.
Source: ILO 2006, Global
Development of assessment forms over time
Research published in December 2022 shows that different countries reform their assessment continuously. This reform indicates the importance of improving the general quality and value of TVET. [1]
The report indicates a greater emphasis on formative assessment and a continuing strong focus on summative assessment approaches. Some countries use summative assessment to monitor the performance of TVET institutions as part of quality assurance in TVET. Similarly, research points to an increase in TVET learners’ self-assessment, which is more connected to formative than summative assessment.
The report shows a general increase in the number of functions of assessment, which are not mutually exclusive and used in parallel. However, the simultaneous attempt to achieve different goals with assessment can also lead to tensions. It also needs to be clarified to what extent the emphasis on formative assessment approaches and learner-centred pedagogy, in general, are not just political intentions or lip service and to what time they have gained ground in practice.
Module assessment
Moreover, the report showed that increased assessment of individual units or modules to increase the flexibility of learning pathways (for example, by providing opportunities for validating and recognising non-formal and informal learning) can be observed in some countries. [1]
However, there is a move in both directions: formerly very modularised TVET systems become more holistic, while others become more modularised.
Similarly, a mixed picture emerged with more standardised assessment approaches or more individual and flexible assessment forms in recent years. The report finds that in some countries, unmistakable trends are in one direction or the other, while in others, both trends are present simultaneously.
Written Examinations
While written examinations remain common in all countries, the report finds evidence that governments have increasingly adopted different methods of collecting evidence of practical knowledge. For example, many countries have introduced final practical exams, projects and performance demonstrations. [1]
Practical Exam
Practical exams are essential for assessing the quality of TVET. They provide a way to measure the skills and knowledge that students have acquired in their studies and the ability to apply these skills in a practical setting. By providing a comprehensive assessment of student performance, practical exams can improve the overall value of TVET programs. They also offer an opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities in real-world situations, which can be invaluable for employers looking for skilled workers. With this in mind, TVET programs must incorporate practical exams into their assessment strategies to deliver high-quality training with tangible results.
The CEDEFOP report shows that skills demonstrations are also increasingly carried out in natural work environments, and employers or other labour market stakeholders are increasingly involved in assessing TVET learners. At the same time, the research finds a clear trend towards using digital assessment or various computer-assisted tests. [1]
In addition, the study finds that countries are developing and piloting new approaches continuously. However, because the use of digital technologies in assessment has yet to have a long history, some challenges and caveats are still associated with it. [1]
Practical Assessment Ensure the Quality
Practical exams provide a way to assess the quality of the training offered by TVET institutions and their experience as apprentices. Practical exams ensure that students have acquired the necessary skills. Practical exams help students gain valuable experience in their chosen field, which is essential for their future success.
Employers can ensure applicants have acquired the necessary skills for their job by having a practical exam. Practical exams are also helpful for employers as they can use them to assess the quality of potential employees. This kind of assessment helps ensure that employers only hire qualified individuals.
References
[1] Cedefop (2022). The future of vocational education and training in Europe: volume 3: the influence of assessments on vocational learning. Luxembourg: Publications Office. Cedefop research paper, No 90. http://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2801/067378
Lucubrate Magazine February 2023
The illustration on the top of the article: Lucubrate Magazine
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