Tag: TAE40122

Yesterday, I was tutoring someone who is currently doing their TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at a TAFE. This person was needing help to understand what was required to conduct a pre-assessment validation.

The TAE Trainer at the TAFE doesn’t seem to know how to explain the topic. And at the previous week’s training session, the TAE Students were set up in small groups to figure out how to conduct a pre-assessment validation by themselves. The TAE Trainer was absent during the small group work. It sounded a bit chaotic. It was not the fault of the TAE Students, but the training session involved the naïve leading the naïve. No learning was achieved.

The person seeking my help as a TAE Tutor wanted to understand the topic and believed that there had to be a method to conducting pre-assessment validation. This person was wanting a step-by-step procedure.

Here are the key points we covered during the tutoring session.

Terminology

First, I started with explaining and defining what assessment validation is.

We evaluate training. But we validate assessment.

Most people understand that training is evaluated. Most people have attended training when they have been asked to complete a feedback form that can be used to help evaluate the training so that future training can be improved.

The validation of assessment can be thought of as an evaluation of assessment.

Next, I went to the glossary from the Standards for RTOs 2015. This is where we can find the definition of validation, as it is used in the Australian VET system.

Validation is the quality review of the assessment process. Validation involves checking that the assessment tool/s produce/s valid, reliable, sufficient, current and authentic evidence to enable reasonable judgements to be made as to whether the requirements of the training package or VET accredited courses are met. It includes reviewing a statistically valid sample of the assessments and making recommendations for future improvements to the assessment tool, process and/or outcomes and acting upon such recommendations. [1]

Key points from the definition:

• Quality review of the assessment process
• Checking the assessment tool
• Reviewing a statistically valid sample of the assessments
• Making recommendations for future improvements.

Difference between pre-assessment validation and assessment validation

The TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation unit of competency specifies that the TAE Student must:

• participate in the pre-assessment validation of at least 3 assessment tools before they are first used with candidates
• participate in the validation of the 3 assessment tools after they have been used to assess candidates.

The following table show the fundamental difference between pre-assessment validation and assessment validation.

Pre-assessment valuation will occur when an RTO has developed its own assessment tools or when the RTO purchases assessment tools to be used. The RTO must take responsibility for the quality of the assessment tools used, and this includes checking them before use.

Some TAE Students probably wish their RTO delivering the TAE40122 qualification had conducted a pre-assessment validation of the assessment tools being used to deliver the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Many TAE40122 assessment tools are dreadful.

A step-by-step procedure

The following is a step-by-step procedure for conducting a pre-assessment validation that I discussed and demonstrated during yesterday’s tutoring session.

Step 1. Unpack competency standard

‘Unpacking‘ means reading, analysing and understanding the requirements specified in the Unit of Competency and its Assessment Requirements.

Step 2. Review Pre-assessment Validation Report template

RTO will most likely have a template or form to be used to guide the pre-assessment validation process, and report findings. For the purposes of this article, let’s call this document a ‘Pre-assessment Validation Report’ template.

This template is likely to include checking the assessment tool for following:

• Compliance with the principles of assessment
• Compliance with the rules of evidence
• Readability and usability of the assessment tool.

Step 3. Review Unit Mapping document

Review the Unit Mapping document. This includes:

• Check that Unit of Competency and its Assessment Requirements have been correctly and completed copied into the Unit Mapping document
• Check that every row has been completed with at least one piece of evidence planned to be gathered
• Check that the assessment method is appropriate.

Step 4. Cross-check the unit mapping with assessment instruments

Check details from the Unit Mapping document are found in the assessment instruments.

Step 5. Review assessment instructions and assessment instruments

Conduct a detailed review of assessment instructions and assessment instruments.

Step 6. Complete Pre-assessment Validation Report template

Complete the Pre-assessment Validation Report template. This includes documenting your finding, justification that supports your findings, and recommendations for improvement.

In conclusion

A pre-assessment valuation can be complex and time-consuming. A pre-assessment valuation meeting may require two hours or more, depending on the quantity and complexity of the assessment tool. Also, the time can depend on how prepared and how experienced the valuators are.

The TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation unit of competency requires an experienced VET practitioner to lead validation activities. [2] Some RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification have rightly interpreted this to mean that the TAE Trainer leads the pre-assessment valuation meetings, and the TAE Students participate at these meetings. Some RTOs are not doing the right thing and are not providing an experienced VET practitioner to lead these meetings.

It is a shame that some RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification do not provide sufficient training, do not demonstrate good practice, and do not provided the level of support to help their TAE Students learn.

References

[1] https://www.asqa.gov.au/glossary accessed 5 September 2024

[2] https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/?id=TAEASS413 accessed 5 September 2024

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986

This article has been written for adult learners who have not studied for a long time and are undertaking studies for a TAE40116 or TAE40122 qualification. It’s a brave, rewarding, and sometimes daunting step to commence studying for a qualification as an adult learner. Here are some tips to help you navigate this journey.

Embrace the refresh

You already have a wealth of life experience. Use it! Draw connections between what you’re learning and your past experiences. This will make the material more relatable and engaging.

Rekindle your studying skills

Start small: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Begin with short, focused study sessions and gradually increase the duration.

Find your rhythm: Experiment with different times of day and environments to discover when and where you focus best.

Prioritise and plan: Adult life often means juggling commitments at home, at work and your studies. Block out dedicated study time in your calendar and stick to it as much as possible.

Master the material

Active learning: Don’t just passively read. Take notes, rewrite concepts in your own words, and summarise key points.

Find your learning style: Do you learn best visually, by doing, or through discussion? Explore different study methods and find what works for you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Seek help from the trainer: Don’t hesitate to ask your trainer questions.

Support services: Utilise the support services from your training provider.

Form a study group: Find colleagues who are undertaking the same training to discuss ideas, share resources, and motivate each other.

Seek help from a tutor: Get help from a tutor if your trainer and support services from the training provider are insufficient for your needs.

Stay motivated

Set goals: Goals will keep you focused and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Focus on the why: Remind yourself of your larger goal for pursuing this qualification. This will provide the drive to keep going when things get tough.

Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge and reward yourself for completing tasks, achieving goals, and overcoming challenges.

In conclusion

You have the life skills, intelligence, and determination to succeed. Be kind to yourself. There will be bumps along the road.

If you are finding your studies are difficult, please remember that it isn’t you. It is common for many people studying for their TAE40116 or TAE40122 qualification to find it difficult, challenging, confusing, overwhelming, frustrating, and exhausting. It is the training provider that has created the training and assessment experience that is dreadful.

Before concluding, I would like to highlight the following five tips for study success:

• Get support from your trainer
• Get support from your training provider
• Get support from a tutor
• Make a plan and allocate time for your study
• Focus on one thing at a time.

By embracing these tips and believing in yourself, you’ll be well on your way to conquering your studies and making progress towards achieving your qualification!

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986

I recently published an article titled, ‘Assessment methods, assessment tasks and other jargon used by RTOs’. It provided examples that mainly focused on gathering Performance Evidence.

In this article, I shall focus on how to gather Knowledge Evidence:

• Step 1. Identify the required knowledge evidence
• Step 2. Write questions to gather the required knowledge evidence
• Step 3. Develop sample answers or marking guide
• Step 4. Add details to the assessment mapping matrix

Step 1. Identify the required knowledge evidence

All units of competency specify the required knowledge evidence. The following is an example of the knowledge evidence specified for the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit of competency.

Step 2. Write questions to gather the required knowledge evidence

The RTO must explicitly gather the Knowledge Evidence. This will be achieved by getting the candidate to answer questions that have been designed specifically to gather all the Knowledge Evidence. Generally, this means that at least one question will be developed to gather each item of Knowledge Evidence (each bullet point).

The following is an example of questions written to gather the Knowledge Evidence specified for the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit of competency.

Note: Answers to questions may be oral or written.

Step 3. Develop sample answers or marking guide

The RTO must ensure that assessments are reliable. In other words, evidence presented for assessment should be consistently interpreted and assessment results are comparable irrespective of the assessor conducting the assessment. Sample answers or marking guide are used to support reliable assessment practices.

The following is an example of sample answers for the questions that have been designed to gather the Knowledge Evidence specified for the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit of competency.

Note: AI was used to generate ideas for the sample answers.

Step 4. Add details to the assessment mapping matrix

The following is an example of an assessment mapping matrix that provides cross referencing details relating to the gathering of Knowledge Evidence for the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit of competency.

In conclusion

All units of competency specify the required knowledge evidence. And all RTOs must explicitly gather the specified Knowledge Evidence. This article has outlined a 4-step process for writing questions and sample answers to gather knowledge evidence.

Here are some other relevant articles about gather knowledge evidence:

• Knowledge Evidence and the Australian VET system
• How to develop an assessment instrument to gather knowledge evidence

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986