Education Commons^™

Assessment In The Interpersonal Domain: Experiences From Empathy Assessment In Medical Education, Neville Chiavaroli

Neville Chiavaroli

Frameworks for the teaching and assessment of 21st-century skills commonly recognise the importance of learning and skill development in the interpersonal domain. They also usually acknowledge the challenge of reliably and validly assessing students in this domain. In the field of medical education and in selecting students for medical courses, the concept of empathy has become central to representing the particular interpersonal understandings and skills expected of students and practising doctors. Attempts to assess these attributes during medical training are just as challenging as in school contexts. This presentation draws on several years’ experience of working with medical educators to …

Assessment Of University Support Services For Regional And Remote Students On Transition To University: Final Report, Darren Matthews, Gina Milgate, Leyna Clarke

Gina C Milgate

This report details the development and piloting of an Assessment of university support services for regional and remote students on transition to university. The project forms part of the Australian Government’s response to the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education led by Emeritus Professor John Halsey. In its recommendations, the Review highlighted how critical it is to “Support RRR [regional, rural and remote] students to make successful transitions from school to university, training, employment and combinations of them”. In relation to this recommendation, this project is designed to support the Australian Government’s response to the Halsey Review by …

Derring Do Survey Data: Exploring Health Sciences Library Collaboration With Evaluation Experts, Marian Taliaferro, Jackie Loweree

Marian Taliaferro

No abstract provided.

Plunging Beneath The Surface: Uncovering Internal Dispositions, Lori Piowlski, Karen Colum

Lori Piowlski, Ph. D.

Teacher preparation programs face the challenge of measuring candidates’ competencies that can be considered internal dispositions; which impact the quality of their instruction. This study delves into candidate edTPA scores in correlation with their IDI mindsets to support program development.

Preparing Culturally Proficient Teachers, Lori Piowlski

Lori Piowlski, Ph. D.

This session helps frame the demographic and educational changes that are resulting in the restructuring of teacher preparation programs. Discussion of qualitative study provides a platform to begin reflecting on how to deliver a comprehensive teacher education program that instills cultural proficiency.

Beware Of The Collision Between Cultural Proficiency And Teacher Candidate Performance Assessment, Lori Piowlski

Lori Piowlski, Ph. D.

An issue facing teacher preparation programs is that higher education must be able to measure teacher candidates' competencies that can be considered internal dispositions, which directly impact the quality of their instruction. This session delves into the teacher performance assessment (edTPA) scores candidates are earning in correlation to their Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) levels

Investing In Teachers, Adeola Capel, Hilary Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Alison Lonsdale, Yung Nietschke, Rachel Parker, Kate Reid, Jeaniene Spink, Mollie Tobin, Mary Fearnley-Sander, Jacinta Overs

Dr Kate Reid

This evaluation compares evidence from the literature with Australia’s experience in supporting teacher development in a range of developing countries. It uses case studies to good effect in explaining choices made, the extent to which expectations were or were not met, and the lessons for future Australian assistance for teacher development. The evaluation found mixed results. In cooperation with governments and other donors, Australia has made positive contributions, such as improving teacher frameworks and curriculums, and training teachers through a range of interventions. However, there is room to improve—for example, in enhancing policy, strengthening analysis and negotiating new investments—so teacher …

Investing In Teachers, Adeola Capel, Hilary Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Alison Lonsdale, Yung Nietschke, Rachel Parker, Kate Reid, Jeaniene Spink, Mollie Tobin, Mary Fearnley-Sander, Jacinta Overs

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

This evaluation compares evidence from the literature with Australia’s experience in supporting teacher development in a range of developing countries. It uses case studies to good effect in explaining choices made, the extent to which expectations were or were not met, and the lessons for future Australian assistance for teacher development. The evaluation found mixed results. In cooperation with governments and other donors, Australia has made positive contributions, such as improving teacher frameworks and curriculums, and training teachers through a range of interventions. However, there is room to improve—for example, in enhancing policy, strengthening analysis and negotiating new investments—so teacher …

Finding The Right Fit: University Course Selection And Completion, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

As higher education enrolments continue to climb, the proportion of students failing to graduate remains high among some cohorts, according to analysis by Daniel Edwards.

Snapshot Of Student Wellbeing, Petra Lietz

Dr Petra Lietz

A new study has found that most Australian children report high levels of wellbeing, but wellbeing varies by background, especially for a quarter of children who identify as marginalised. Petra Lietz examines the findings.

Sharing The Assessment Reform Story, Hilary Hollingsworth

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

A new web-based resource is chronicling the experiences of schools as they undertake assessment reform.

Investing In Teachers

Adeola Capel

Students’ Views About Learning With Technologies: A Literature Review, Kathryn Moyle, Guus Wijingaards, Susanne Owen

Professor Kathryn Moyle

There is a paucity of recent, formal education research that listens directly to students’ views of learning with technologies. Much of the research that has been conducted has tended to focus on evaluating students’ current experiences within a specific course, or concerned with tangible issues such as frequency of computer use, access to computers and the Internet, and evaluations of technical skill levels. Available research has tended to use quantitative or mixed method approaches, with data collected through surveys using convenience samples, Likert scales and free response questions. These methods are sometimes supplemented with interviews and observations. To establish an …

Session P: Assessing General Capabilities, Julian Fraillon, Juliette Mendelovits

Juliette Mendelovits

There is growing interest in general capabilities and cross-curricular learning outcomes such as literacy in information and communication technologies, creative thinking and collaborative and individual problem-solving. As the expectation for such competencies to be taught in schools has increased, so has the need for teachers and schools to validly and reliably assess student learning in those areas, and to report on them in ways that teaching and learning. In this presentation examine the challenges of assessing on student learning and learning growth capabilities and cross-curricular learning present approaches used in research some of these challenges and reflect can be applied …

Group Of National Experts On The Ahelo Feasibility Study : Engineering Assessment Framework : Ahelo Feasibility Study, Hamish Coates, Sarah Richardson, Jacob Pearce, Julian Fraillon

Julian Fraillon

This AHELO Engineering Assessment Framework describes and illustrates the domain of engineering competency that is used in the AHELO Feasibility Study. The framework gives an organisational structure for the domain in terms of engineering knowledge, processes and contexts; describes the types of assessment items that have been developed; and details how reporting will be carried out. - p.4

Session P: Assessing General Capabilities, Julian Fraillon, Juliette Mendelovits

Julian Fraillon

There is growing interest in general capabilities and cross-curricular learning outcomes such as literacy in information and communication technologies, creative thinking and collaborative and individual problem-solving. As the expectation for such competencies to be taught in schools has increased, so has the need for teachers and schools to validly and reliably assess student learning in those areas, and to report on them in ways that teaching and learning. In this presentation examine the challenges of assessing on student learning and learning growth capabilities and cross-curricular learning present approaches used in research some of these challenges and reflect can be applied …

Desk-Based Evaluation Of Workbooks And Textbooks, Mary Kimani, Rachel Outhred, Jenny Wilkinson, Marion Meiers

Marion Meiers

Report to South Africa UNICEF Country Office

Leaders Of School Improvement Share The Journey, Sharon Clerke

Sharon Clerke

ACER's evaluation of ‘turnaround’ schools has revealed that strong school leaders do not undertake leadership alone, but build leadership capacity around them. Sharon Clerke reports.

University Completions And Equity, Daniel Edwards

Dr Daniel Edwards

University students from disadvantaged groups have a lower completion rate than their more advantaged peers, but most disadvantaged students do complete their degrees, research reveals.

Plan To Recruit Our Best And Brightest, Geoff Masters

Prof Geoff Masters AO

Australia faces a number of challenges over the next decade in planning the future teacher workforce, according to Geoff Masters.

Evaluation Of Data Literacy And Usage To Improve Outcomes, Martina Bovell, D D'Aloia, Elizabeth O'Grady, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Petra Lietz, Mollie Tobin, Gerald White

Dr Elizabeth Kleinhenz

No abstract provided.

Review Recommends Tertiary Entrance Changes, Geoff Masters, Gabrielle Matters

Prof Geoff Masters AO

A review by Gabrielle Matters and Geoff Masters of senior assessment and tertiary selection processes in Queensland has recommended changes to meet future education needs.

Review Recommends Tertiary Entrance Changes, Geoff N. Masters, Gabrielle Matters

Dr Gabrielle Matters

A review by Gabrielle Matters and Geoff Masters of senior assessment and tertiary selection processes in Queensland has recommended changes to meet future education needs.

Cyber Professional Development In Inquiry Science: An Iterative Evaluation Strategy, Heather Leary, Tamara Sumner, Cathy Ringstaff, Danielle Brown, Holly Devaul

Heather Leary, Ph.D.

Traditional models of professional development (PD) for teachers are changing, and there is a move to use approaches that capitalize on technological tools to deliver PD online and blended. Offering PD using these technological approaches has the potential to save resources for districts. It is crucial to determine if these approaches are meeting the needs of teachers, especially when they are learning to implement new curricula. This study describes the process two partnering institutions used, working in parallel, to conduct fine- and coarse-grained formative evaluation of a CyberPD environment and course. Data collection included surveys, online focus groups, and interviews. …

Measuring Learning Growth In A World Of Universal Education, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

ACER is leading the development of new ‘learning metrics’ – tools for measuring learning growth – as Ross Turner explains.

Evaluation Of Data Literacy And Usage To Improve Outcomes, Martina Bovell, D D'Aloia, Elizabeth O'Grady, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Petra Lietz, Mollie Tobin, Gerald White

Dr Petra Lietz

No abstract provided.

What Can Student Affairs Learn From Nielsen Audio? Benefits Of Using A Modified Arbitron Assessment In Higher Education, Oscar T. Mcknight Ph.D., Kerri Carmichael, Jonathan Locust Jr

Oscar T McKnight Ph.D.

This presentation explores the history and evolution of an Arbitron assessment model (Nielsen Audio) when applied in higher education, specifically Student Affairs. Highlighted are the differences between traditional models of Student Affairs assessments and a modified Arbitron assessment. This new Student Affairs assessment model allows an institutional researcher to study student feedback minute to minute, day to day, week to week basis, etc. Discussed are the strengths and weaknesses of a Nielsen Audio model when applied to Student Affairs.

Rethinking Assessment In Vet, Dave Tout

David (Dave) Tout

No abstract provided.

Warlpiri Early Childhood Care And Development Program Evaluation: Fifth Progress Report, Stephanie Armstrong, Bill Perrett, Andrew Stojanovski

Dr Bill Perrett

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of National And International Assessment Programmes On Education Policy, Particularly Policies Regarding Resource Allocation And Teaching And Learning Practices In Developing Countries, Maura Best, Pat Knight, Petra Lietz, Craig Lockwood, Dita Nugroho, Mollie Tobin

Dr Petra Lietz

There is a documented global rise in the number of countries undertaking national learning assessments, as well as international and regional learning assessments. Much of this growth, especially in national learning assessments, has occurred in economically developing countries. Little is known, however, on how these assessments affect education policy and practice in developing countries. This review examined the impact of national and international assessment programmes on education policy, particularly policies regarding resource allocation and teaching and learning practices in developing countries. This particular focus on policies regarding resources and teaching and learning practices stemmed from an observation that, particularly in …