468-120 Workforce Development and Assessment

This subject offers a study of the theoretical underpinnings and practice of workforce development including assessment for learning. Initially, students will be introduced to current research in the pedagogy of work-based learning and workforce development. Attention will then be given to current research and developments in performance assessment strategies that can be applied within a range of contexts including the workplace, higher education and vocational education. The subject explores contemporary issues within the assessment field, including developmental assessment and profiling, grading, validity and reliability principles, quality assurance, reporting and the assessment of higher order competencies. Students will investigate a range of assessment purposes, evidence gathering procedures, interpretation frameworks (normative, criterion and ipsative), decision-making strategies, as well as recording and reporting formats for monitoring the cognitive, affective and/or psychomotor development of employees/candidates. They will be given the opportunity to develop specialised skills in the design, development and review of performance tasks and scoring rubrics suitable for use in work settings.

A literature review of 1500 words (40%) (due mid-semester); an evaluation study of 2500 words (60%) (due end of semester). There is scope for negotiation within assessment tasks: 4000-word total requirement may be met by the completion of two tasks, or their combination as a single task.

A book of readings will be made available.