Q1) Use valid, fair, and reliable assessment methods, including:
- Observation of performance
Classroom observation will entail the practice of me sitting in on the class of another teacher, whereby the sole purpose is to observe, learn as well as reflect. The assessment methods that I will encounter in the classroom aspect include examining routines, schedules, the teaching strategies employed, the interest of the learner, participation, as well as the management strategies. The observation of performance will be vital for attaining quality program planning. In observing performance, I will entail three observation techniques: A supervisory walkthrough, a learning walkthrough, and a goal-setting and implementation walkthrough.
- examining products of work
The list of classroom products that I will examine includes desks, chairs, books, among other minor items such as pencils and pens. In assessing the outcomes of work, my emphasis will be on the context of the products, the tasks administered to the learners, the mode of managing the set tasks, and the quality of the work.
- questioning the learner
In questioning the learner, I will keep in mind the course goals, aiming for direct or specific questions, asking one item at a time, and asking open-ended questions. Learning questions usually take the form of thesis questions since it will allow me to frame the lesson’s goals. Further, by questioning the learner, I will have the ability to understand their challenges for active exploration and sparking a response.
- discussing with the learner
Through discussions with the learner, I am presented with an opportunity for meaningful interaction with the learner, helping me understand them more. Discussions with the learner will encourage them to learn from each other, allowing them to articulate course work. Further, the discussions will help them to be able to prepare for the classes. In these discussions, I will entail an exchange of collaborative ideas between the students and me, with open-ended forums. I will help students to be able to process the classroom information.
- Use of others (witness testimony)
I will mainly entail the use of historical witnesses since this will help the learners appreciate the past. Further, the witness gives a deep sense of the teaching worthwhileness in the classroom. Further, they serve as moral education to the learners, educating them to be responsible.
- looking at learner statements
Learner statements disclose the significant as well as vital learning that has been achieved by the learners. Evaluating learner statements is usually essential at the end of a course or a specific program. By looking at the learner statements, I will be able to identify what the learner needs to be conversant about or know at the end of a particular course or program. Besides, by looking at the learner statements, I can develop a student-centered learning environment. This will further contribute to a student self-assessment, as well as encouraging peer feedback.
- recognizing prior learning
In recognition of prior learning, I will decide to entail an assessment process that will involve assessing a learner’s relevant prior learning. The learners’ relevant prior learning can either be formal or informal. In recognizing the learner’s prior learning, the goal is to determine the credit outcomes of a learner application for credit. My purpose for recognizing learners’ prior learning is that there is the essentiality of the learners acquiring formal qualifications that match entirely with the learner’s knowledge and skills. The criteria that I will entail in this assessment include examining the evidentiary qualification components that may include the elective and the core units. The criteria will further entail the breaking down of each element for a better understanding of what needs to be demonstrated by the learner’s skills and knowledge.
Q2) Make assessment decisions of occupational competence against specified criteria
In this part, I will focus on the knowledge, skills, and attributes that make it necessary and capable of performing occupational functions when assigned. I will consider the application of an outcome-based approach to learning. I will significantly analyze the learner’s abilities on a competency-based approach. I will describe the qualifications by compiling the findings from the learners per the assessment strategy. Further, I will communicate the purpose, requirements, and processes vital for assessing the learner’s occupational competence.
Q3) Follow standardization procedures.
The standardization procedures that I will follow will be per the Centre and award occupational standards and organization policies. Further, I will entail standardizing the assessment methods, the class recordings, paperwork in the classroom, and agreement or collaboration of my learner feedbacks. Besides, I will consider standardization meetings, sharing good practice with the learners, internal and external verification procedures for better competence, shadowing, and detailed evaluation procedures in the classroom for a better competency assessment.
Q4) Provide feedback to learners that affirm achievement and identifies any further Implications for learning, assessment, and progression.
In providing feedback to the learners, the coverage will entail the affirmation of achievement and identifying any further work required by the learner for the course work. Further, on the provision of the feedback, I will significantly emphasize assessment and progression, the use of communication skills, and not forgetting the use of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. The use of interpersonal skills will include a sensitive as well as empathetic approach. In providing feedback, I will provide further emphasis on using body language and voice effectively, emphasizing on a constructive, positive as well as supportive feedback approach. Besides, I will further consider the appropriateness of the feedback that I will be provided to the learners. Considering the appropriateness of the feedback will entail considering the level terms, with a dire basis on the criteria and standards. I further put an emphasis and highlight the achievements and also opportunities that will give a basis for improvement. Lastly, I will also outline the development plans that will need to be considered to improve the feedback provided to the learners.
Q5 Maintain records of the assessment of occupational competence, its outcomes, and learner progress.
Maintaining records of the assessment will be vital to me since it will significantly help me to reflect on the activities or occurrences of the assessment accurately. It gives the room to be able to focus on how well the assessment has been done. I will significantly entail documenting the range of assessment methods used in the assessment. Further, the records involve documenting and entailing the action plans, the development plans, the completed logbooks of the assessment, the completed proformas, the oral questioning records of the assessment, and the written competence assessments. Besides, the records will also ensure that I have aligned my competence assessment with the Centre as well as the award organization policies. These policies will ensure that my competence assessment follows the laid down procedures and policies. Further, I will also maintain records for the legislative requirements of the records.
Q6 Make assessment information available to authorized colleagues.
I will share the assessment information and feedback with the appropriate colleagues and the appropriate authorities. Some of the colleagues whom I will share the information include both internal and also external verifiers. In accessing the information, different approaches to access will include electronics and also hard formats, convened team meetings, standardization meetings, convening assessment meetings, and also sampling. The colleagues will be able to give their feedback and feelings and their views on the information presented to them.
Q7 Follow procedures to maintain the confidentiality of assessment information.
In maintaining the confidentiality of the assessment information, several procedures and measures will be entailed. These will include a conducive environment that is suitable for the provision of learner feedback. Safe recording and also storage of the assessment information will also be another procedure that I will observe. Other procedures will include measures for data protection and following the legislative requirements that are mainly considered for the paper-based reports in the assessment. Lastly, in the procedures, I will also focus on electronic safe and specific security measures for the safeguarding of the assessment information.
Q8 Follow relevant policies, procedures, and legislation for the assessment of
Occupational competence, including those for health, safety, and welfare
This part will significantly involve following policies from regulatory bodies such as SQA, Ofqual, DfES, CCEA sector skills, and also policies from the awarding organizations. In legislation, I will focus on the health and safety guidelines and procedures. Further, the legislation will also put a focus on the aspect of diversity as well as equality measures. The procedures that I will entail in the assessment of the occupational competence include the emergency and first aid measures and procedures to be put in place, the risk assessment procedures, the procedures for accident reporting, the hygiene procures, and procedures considered in the duty of care. Organizational procedures that I will follow include the standardization as well as the moderation used on assessors. Lastly, the other procedure to be considered will be procedures on continued professional advancements for the assessment of occupational competence.
Q9 Apply requirements for equality and diversity and, where appropriate, bilingualism when assessing occupational competence.
The requirements for equality and diversity that I will focus on include the codes of practice required, the relevant legislation of the assessment, the awarding organization’s requirements, and the policies and regulations for employment. Further, I will focus on promoting equality and diversity through several measures, such as bilingualism, where it is quite necessary to do so. Further, another equality and diversity measure will ensure there is flexibility in the mode of planning, measures for quality assurance, equality, and diversity in implementation. Lastly, another requirement for equality and diversity that I will focus on is providing any additional resources that are deemed appropriate and offering support where it seems necessary to do so.
Q10) Communicate the purpose, requirements, and processes of assessing occupational competence to the learner
Communication of the purpose, requirements, and processes of assessing occupational competence to the learner will be vital in covering the assessment. It will serve to entail on communication use and also interpersonal skills use, whose purpose for use include for clarity purposes, to outline on the pace of voice, to emphasize on the tone, the eye contact, body language used in the assessment, the visual aid use, sensitivity in the assessment, how positive approach is applied in the competence, as well as detailing on the other media used in the competence assessment.
Q11 Evaluate own work in carrying out assessments of occupational competence
On evaluating my work, I will do a self-assessment on undertaking out the assessments, the application, and the use of outcome measures that include the feedback information received from the learners and colleagues whom the assessment information is shared to. Other measures that I will undertake for the evaluation include observing reports, the appraisal, the achievement of goals, and other set targets, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of my work. Besides, I will consider the achievements and opportunities provided for the improvement of assessment and the opportunities for conclusions. Besides, I will further set personal goals for the assessment and the goals for development planning. By evaluating my assessment work, I will be able to do a competence assessment that will ultimately meet the entire criterion and any set policies.
Q12) Maintain the currency of their expertise and competence as relevant to own role in assessing occupational competence
In the maintenance of the currency, I will review the setting of goals, the competence review, and realistic targets. I will further consider any modifications that are needed for the assessment plans as well as practice. I will also focus on technology use and research that is mainly evidence-based. Personal development planning is also another essential aspect of the maintenance of currency. Continuous professional development for my competence will also be another critical aspect that I will significantly put a lot of emphasis on.
Q13) Plan assessment of occupational competence based on the following methods:
- Observation of performance in the work environment
In this aspect, it will consider the results of the work done, the achievement of the goals and targets, and the success of the practices and methods used.
- Examining products of work
I will focus on establishing the reliability and accuracy of the product deployed in the assessment to understand their efficiency and appropriateness for the assessment.
- Questioning the learner
I will question the learner on his/her understandability for the assessment, understandability of the assessment plans and practice, and personal development plans.
- Discussing with the learner
I will engage in discussion with the learner to make the learner well conversant with the assessment plans. I will be able also to understand the needs and achievements of learners in assessment plans.
- Use of others (witness testimony)
Colleagues and awarding organizations will be engaged to give their verdict and thoughts on assessment plans. The colleagues will give the extensiveness and diversity of the plans.
- Looking at learner statements
Reflecting on the learner statements will be vital in evaluating their understandability and knowledge on the assessment plans. Further, it allows the learner to consult on the assessment plans extensively
- Recognizing prior learning
In prior learning, I will be able to make the learner understand the competence assessment’s essentiality. It will also help to contribute to reliability, equality as well as diversity in the competence assessment.
Q14) Plan the assessment of occupational competence to address learner needs and current achievements
In this part, my core focus will be on identifying the assessment opportunities, planning for the time and venue for a conducive assessment, and agreeing on the assessment plan with the learners. Agreeing of the assessment plan with the learner generally will include several measures such as holding a questioning and discussion panel, recognizing the opportunities presented by prior learning as well as agreeing on the assessment process used.
Q15) Identify opportunities for holistic assessment
Identification of the opportunities for holistic assessment will generally involve amalgamating the outcomes a well as knowledge. I will further undertake a natural progression from one outcome to another outcome within the work environment.