Assessment Methods in Assessing Vocational Achievement

Reflection on different assessment methods
Throughout my work with candidates I use number of different assessment methods as well as assessment categories. Assessment is a number of different methods which are used to evaluate performance and can be used measured against set criteria.
I use formative assessment throughout the process so that every time I interact with the candidate I assess their achievement of LO to guide the learning process which informs my decision about the next stage of learning and assessment. When I worked though the plan with candidates and that together we feel that all LO have been covered I conduct a final summative assessment of the portfolio as a whole. I give feedback on this assessment and make suggestions for further evidence if I feel that the standards haven’t been reached. I conduct formative assessment in consultation with the candidate and give feedback throughout the process so that the candidate has as much support as possible to reach the agreed standard.
Observation
The main assessment method that I use it observation, as the nature of the accreditation means that it would be very difficult to meet the learning objectives unless work was seen in context and competency was seen and measured against the set criteria set. Observation is the primary assessment method for practical skills. There are a number of issues that I weigh up before I conduct an observation and below is a list of the benefits and disadvantages of this method.
Observation benefits:

• Practical situations, demonstrate competence whilst observed by assessor

• Technology can be used such as video or voice recording which can give a ‘real life’ picture of the candidate and their performance.

• Can be used formatively or summatively

• Able to see naturally occurring practice

• Ideal opportunity to see if theory is applied in practical situation

• There is no plagiarism or issues of validity

• Inclusive