This document provides an overview of competency-based assessment in vocational education and training (VET). It defines assessment in VET and identifies the key features such as identifying the purpose of assessment and who can assess. It also outlines the principles of assessment, including consistency, validity, fairness and flexibility. Evidence is defined as proof that supports a candidate's competency claim. Various assessment methods are discussed, like observation, questioning, and portfolios. Assessment tools are also introduced as the means to implement assessment methods.

1. Topic 1: An overview of assessment TAEASS401A Plan assessment activities and processes IBSA Participant Workbook pages: 9 to 22

2. At the end of this session, you should know how to: identify features of competency-based assessment in VET identify purpose of assessment and who can assess interpret principles of assessment and rules of evidence. © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd

3. What is assessment in VET? © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 9

4. Types of assessment © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 10

5. Features of competency-based assessment © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 11

6. Purpose of assessment © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 13

7. Who can assess? Australian Quality Training Framework specifies for the individual assessor: assessor competence vocational competence or a team approach. © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 14

8. Principles of assessment © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd Means that the assessment tool and process will produce consistent outcomes when applied by a range of assessors in a range of contexts Means that the evidence relates to the unit competency, addresses essential skills and knowledge, dimensions of competency and employability skills Means that the assessment will not disadvantage any person and will take into account the characteristics of the person being assessed Means that the assessment tool and process allows for assessment in a range of assessment contexts IBSA Participant Workbook page: 15

9. What is evidence? Proof that supports the candidate’s claim of competency. Information gathered in an assessment process – indicates criteria met. © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 15

10. Examples of evidence response to case study training records answers to questions procedures completed reports from third parties personal documents, e.g. resume, reflections examples of workplace documents. demonstration of work activities contents of portfolio role-play performance video recording of performance projects examples of products process © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 15

11. Categories of evidence © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 16

12. Direct – Indirect -Supplementary evidence © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd

13. Rules of evidence © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 17

14. Assessment methods Particular techniques used to gather different types and forms of evidence. Assessment should use more than one method. Appropriate method linked directly to identification of evidence to be collected. Different sources of evidence associated with particular methods. © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd Observation Questioning Portfolio Third Party Structured activities IBSA Participant Workbook page: 19

15. Examples © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd

16. Assessment tools Means by which appropriate assessment methods are implement. Includes: context and conditions for assessment tasks to be administered to candidate outline of evidence to be gathered evidence criteria administration, recording and reporting requirements. © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 20

17. Summary © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd IBSA Participant Workbook page: 22

18. The next step You should now: start thinking about the assessment tasks you will be completing for this unit. © 2010 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council Ltd