eAssessment in VET
The DigCompEdu Framework area 4 (Assessment) in the context of VET
Abstract
The European Union’s Joint Research Center developed the DigCompEdu Framework to evaluate the digital competences of educators and trainers across all levels of education. The framework evaluates competences in six areas: professional engagement, digital resources, teaching and learning, assessment, empowering learners, and facilitating learners’ digital competence. Competences are assessed using a progression model, which is grounded in Bloom’s revised taxonomy of learning. The focus of the eAssessment in VET study is on the Assessment area (DigCompEdu Area 4), but it also takes into account elements from other areas. The use of digital technologies in education results in a vast amount of data available on each learner’s behaviour, and it is crucial to analyse and interpret this data to make informed decisions. Digital technologies can also be used to monitor learning progress, facilitate feedback, and assess teaching strategies.
The following report summarises the results of a survey of 2035 educators, with 60.1% of participants being vocational educators, 10.6% being general educators, 9.5% being technical educators, and the rest being in teacher training or other fields. 38% of participants had completed ICT training in the past two years, while 62% had formal teaching qualifications. The majority of participants were between 35 and 55 years old, with 43% holding a bachelor’s degree, 28% holding a master’s degree, and 14% holding a secondary degree. The results of the survey found that a combination of educational background and ICT training was a key factor in the success of digitalization in education. The study found that ICT training in the last two years had a significant impact on the use of digital technologies for assessment, feedback, communication, resources, teaching and learning, and guidance. The study also found that holding a teaching certificate did not have a significant impact on the use of digital technologies.
Introduction
DigCompEdu as Research Framework
DigCompEdu is a general framework for identifying the digital skill of teachers and trainers in education in general while it is generic a more specific approach is needed for certain educational sectors, like TVET and for specific areas of the framework such as assessment.
In the context of DigCompEdu, this research report seeks to characterise and understand the digital capabilities of VET teachers and trainers within the partner countries focusing in the areas of digital assessment. The report combines a literature review, desk research and a survey (questionnaires and Interviews) in order to identify the competences and skills needed by a VET teacher or trainer for developing and using e-assessment in vocational education and training both in the classroom and in the workplace.
The report extends the DigCompEdu framework and focuses on the e-assessment area for which practitioners feel less confident and competent (according to a study from the TACCLE VET project) as confirmed in discussions with VET providers within the partnership.
Download the full IO 1 report here.
eASSESSMENT4VET-IO1-research-report-updated-sept-2023