ZULFIKARALI,
You have a very structured assessment process. Of course, the nature of the subject probably dictates this level of detail. Where does the subjectivity come into play? Having to meet the needs of a governing body and weekly records would seem to remove or reduce subjectivity as part of the assessment process.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Competency for me, as an instructor in an Imaging Lab, would be that the students are both knowledgeable and have the adequate skills required to perform their task satisfactorily. They must be able to produce good quality images for interpretation to make the proper diagnosis. They must have the minimum requirements to meet the registry goals i.e. both didactic and clinical hands on expertise.
It is this determination of the clinical hands on competencies that are a challenge for me. The students must complete the required hands on hours as determined by the governing body (ultrasound society). Weekly records (checklist) of specific competencies are kept and their ongoing progress documented. Sometimes it is difficult as it can be very subjective. Different approaches are used to develop their hand/eye coordination’s. Use of different types of equipments makes them better prepared. Case study presentation and discussions help determine their understanding of the subject. I personally like to sit one on one with the students once a task has been completed so as to give them feedback on their ongoing progress. And then timing to complete a task becomes crucial as the students are required to perform an exam within a certain time frame. As the students visit the clinical sites, I get the feedback from all the site instructors on their progress and achievements.This helps me further in determining student competencies.
Darlisa,
Does the clinical coordinator provide an assessment to the student?
Dr. Ron Hansen
Steven,
Obviously the machine tests are based on skills and competencies related to tasks students would perform on the job. Having the students explain what they write reinforces what they have learned.
Dr. Ron Hansen
I am a Hematology instructor. I hold "clinics" where students from other classes come in to have their blood drawn. During this time, I also enlist the assistance of our Clinical Coordinator to observe the venipuncture procedures. This provides another set of eyes to assure that the students are up-to-par with skill set. I also administer weekly pop quizzes and review previous theory with the students on a daily basis.
We have, hands on, machine tests to make sure they know the acquired competencies. Also I have a writen final that goes along with the machine test. There is also programs they have to write, checked by me during the course, so i can tell if they know how and what to do before they do it. I ask questions as I go thru their program and have them explain what they have written.
I stick pretty close to the way the skills lab book describes the performance of a task. It's too confusing for students to give them several ways to perform a task when they don't know any way. They need to learn a task before adding variations. I do tell them that there is a definate wrong way to do something, but that there can be more than one right way. With one task in particular I told them not to be surprised if a patient wouldn't let them complete a task in the way the book described. Then showed them a variation that is more acceptable to most patients. By using the book, they have something to refer back to. Also you have a written standard that everyone has access to that they can be held accountable to know.
Still using a haircut as an example, it is broken down into two stages: work station(prep of tools, clean up, client consult) and procedure (proper use of equipment, competion of all steps, and professionalism). The students complete the whole procedure then receive a grade and I review the result with the student to cover any areas that may need improvement.
Billie Jo,
It is application that is important. Students need to be able to show that they can be productive in the workplace.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Billie Jo,
I am familiar with these. CompTIA stays current and has wide acceptance.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Robert,
Very clear assessment guidelines are very helpful.
Dr. Ron Hansen
In our field (Surgical Technology) we have very strict guidelines which makes it easy to assess students if they either grasp or fail to grasp the concepts..Example Sterile-Technique.
We also use National Certification exams(ie MOS exams or CompTia Exams) to show if they have what is needed in the field.
I love using the hands on approach to assess skills. Years ago in the computer field everything was just using m/c for fill in the blank exams. It measured the understanding of the material but not the true using of the material.
Michael,
Are any of the steps require the student to stop if it is marked no? Are the steps broken down into stages?
Dr. Ron Hansen
Currently I use a practical exam where the students perform the procedure, for instance a haircut, and each step is marked yes or no and then the percentage is totaled from the number of correctly performed steps. I use written exams for the theory portion.
Hannah,
The balance of knowledge and skills is the backbone of education. Thank you for your post. I wonder if you find that you can predict if a student will have better initial success in retention of information or application of theory based on your observation of their learning style? Please consider posting in the Learning Styles thread with your thoughts on this question.
Dr. Ron Hansen
Michael,
Thank you for your post. How do you provide assessment of work on the mannequin heads? Oral or written or both? Do you have a rubric?
Dr. Ron Hansen
Working in the trade fields, we assess our student's abilities in two ways: by test and hands-on applications. We teach both theory and practical application and assess both. We can measure their retention of the information through the tests. And, through setting up practical labs, we are able to assess their application of the theory.
Once my students have read and reviewed the applicable theory they move onto practice with manequin heads in order to practice procedures. They are then assesed on their work prior to working with clients in order to ensure their competencies.
