Virtual session 3- evaluation
learning and competences
Our topic being ‘ what are
the central features of competence based qualifications and vocational skills
demonstrations?’ again these are some alien topics for me and I heard them for
the first time. What is competence-based qualifications? I got some idea from
Wikipedia again and some articles but I am not satisfied. After being used to
tutoring for several years early on, this kind of study is beginning to take
its toll. But I decided that I would not quit, that is probably not in my
nature. I look forward to our skype meeting and hope to get some verbal inputs
from Satu and Vera. They explained in simple terms with ‘Examples’ and we
included one in our presentation as well. The Finnish education system is
complicated and yet flexible. There is always an opportunity for those who
seek. I got introduction to the three levels of qualifications: basic, further
and specialty vocational qualifications. Each one probably leads to a job but
it is up to the student to decide where he wants to be in the job market. I was
confused about the age that qualifies to each job but a chart was prepared by
Vera that has some answers. Next comes skills demonstrations and competence
based qualifications. It really does not matter if the person has prior
educational degree in a particular skill, what matters is his ability to
demonstrate that skill efficiently. But also in reality, usually some prior
training is obtained in some form. Then comes the term individualization. This
is did not understand even now and I will probably go back to read more when
the situation demands in future. We also had a video demonstration in health
care service programme about removal of blood from a patient’s vein. When the
person is demonstrating the skill, there are evaluators observing his
connection with the patient, technique, hygine and handling of the sample. Vera
and myself being biologists did not find the example scary and convinced Satu
but some group mates probably got a bit uncomfortable with the video.
Our presentation went on fine
and we had some interesting discussions and then followed by the next topic:
how to evaluate/asses learning? We always had written and oral examinations in
school and college in our home country. It is hard for me to think about a
different way of assessment. But I also think that 3 hours exam cannot decide
the future of a student. Is the student is sick? Does he/she has to go through
the learning process again? There must be another way. I remember that one of
my classmates is very bright and smart but she was always nervous during the
exams. She could not reproduce properly and received fewer marks in the exams. I
strongly believed that she deserved better. Because in India marks play a key
role in assessment. I think that evaluation should be done at various stages and
also in different ways. One has to keep in mind that each student might have a
different learning style and this has to be taken into account in assessment. This
is my primitive idea but I will develop on it. Assessment also boosts
confidence in the students and motivates them to learn more and more. So we as
aspiring teachers have to be cautious.
References:
References:
•Brochures of Finnish
Board of Education
•Finlex (only in
Finnish and Swedish)
•Own experiences in
competence based qualification.
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