Introducing Assessment Tools

What is an assessment tool?

The instrument/s and procedures used to gather and interpret evidence of competence:

– Instrument – the specific questions or activity used to assess competence by the assessment method selected. An assessment instrument may be supported by a profile of acceptable performance and the decision making rules or guidelines to be used by assessors.

– Procedures – the information or instructions given to the candidate and the assessor about how the assessment is to be conducted and recorded. (AQTF)

What principles/rules applyto assessment tools?

Assessment processes

Assessment methods and tools

• Assessment evidence• Assessment judgements.

PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT

RULES OF EVIDENCE

Principles of Assessment

VALIDITY

RELIABILITY

FLEXIBILITYFAIRNESS

• Unit of Competency• Industry Standards• AQF Level• Dimensions of Competency• LLN

• Instructions (Learner & Assessor)• Sample answers/responses• Advice to assist judgement of competence• Trials of tools during development• Review of tools after use

• Negotiate with learner / workplace

• Consider Reasonable Adjustment (to the structure of the assessment not the outcome)

• Maintain integrity of unit and industry standards (Validity/ Reliability)

Ensuring the tool reflects all the requirements of competency

Ensuring the tool achieves consistent results

Ensuring the tool does not disadvantage learners and allows the best opportunity to

provide evidence of competency

Assessment Tools

Well designed Assessment Tools will help to ensure that the evidence collected meets the requirements of the Rules of Evidence

SUFFICIENT???

VALID?

CURRENT?AUTHENTIC?

Designing assessment tools

PLAN– Clarify evidence requirements - Unpack the Unit

of Competency to identify the evidence requirements

– Select the most appropriate assessment methods– Identify the assessment tools that align with each

of the assessment methods

DEVELOP– Develop the tools identified– Check instructions and formatting– Review / trial

Good assessment instructions

Written in plain English using standard industry terminology

Clearly understood by learners and assessors (what, where, who, when, how)

Written at the correct AQF level

FAIRNESS FLEXIBILIT

Y

RELIABILITY

VALIDITY

Verbs and AQF levels

Certificate I

Certificate II

Certificate III

• Tell• List• Find

• Use• Explain• Discuss• Describe

• Analyse• Investigate• Design

Certificate IV • Justify• Recommend • Evaluate

Reviewing and Trialing Tools

Part of the tool development process– Confirms validity and reliability– Provides advice on fairness and flexibility– Encourages involvement of stakeholders– Provides evidence for continuous

improvement

Tracked through version control to ensure all assessors use the most current tool