Units

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Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Assessment of student problems is a crucial role in many areas of eduction. Assessemnt for practitioners working as Guidance Officers/Educational Counsellors is important to be able to intervene effectively. This unit will cover many assessment strategies such as observation, interviewing and testing students who exhibit learning, behavioural and/or emotional problems.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to provide you with a broad understanding of the various types of assessment techniques and strategies used in the educational context.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of tests used to assess intelligence, academic skills, aptitude, and personality: GC:A

2. apply the concepts of reliability, validity and standardisation: GC:A,B

3. use data obtained from tests in programming and placement: GC:B,C,E

4. display assessment skills and report writing: GC: A,B,C,F

Content

This unit covers the following topics:

1. The concept of assessment will be defined. Reasons for testing and assessing will be discussed. Arguments against testing will be addressed. The types of assessment techniques and strategies used in the educational context will be explored.

2. The principal types of tests used in the educational context will be outlined focussing specifically on assessments which measure academic skills, aptitude and ability.

3. Concepts of test reliability, test validity (content, criterion, and construct), standardisation procedures and test construction will be outlined.

4. The process of administering psychological and educational tests will be discussed and demonstrated.

5. The use of assessment data in placement and programming will be discussed as will interpretation of test results.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Various processes and approaches will be used in this unit. These include video interactive group learning, practice sessions using role play, demonstrations, group discussion, and lectures. The unit is only offered in block mode requiring your compulsory attendance on-campus for one week prior to the start of semester with assessment completed throughout the semester.

Assessment

In this unit assessment will be both formative and summative. Formative assessment will be provided through feedback on initial assignment work and in electronic communication or in class, as appropriate. There are three items of summative assessment.Written feedback will be given to students on assignments and general feedback on tests.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: Quizzes on statistics and application of assessment to various scenarios
Word equivalent 1,500.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3 & 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Assessment name: Report
Description: Part A Write a 1500 word assessment process report to explain the steps you went through in your consideration of Emma's case. The report should contain
a) a description of the presenting problem; b) initial hypothesis; c) steps to gather data including reference to the literature; d) findings of confirming and disconfirming evidence; e) interpretation and synthesis of findings; f) intervention/actions to be taken LINKED to the assessment findings.

Part B Write a 500 word professionally presented report to one of Emma's teachers about your assessment.

Length: 2000 words
Relates to objectives: 1, 3 & 4
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: Drawing on the relevant literature, prepare an analysis on a controversial assessment issue.
Length: 1500 words
Relates to objectives: 1 & 3
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Any unit specific learning resources will be made available during the block course and via the unit blackboard site.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace health and safety protocols in relation to computer use will apply.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 31-Oct-2012