Cttls Level 4 free essay sample

Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector. Planning   Enabling Learning. Assignment 1- What is the purpose of initial assessment and what kind of methods could be used? Evaluate these methods with reference to the ways they can help in the overall objective of achieving learning goals. How can you ensure learners are kept motivated and working towards these goals? Name: Date: 21st October 2010 Word Count: All learners are entitled to undergo a period of initial assessment. Initial assessment is the process of identifying an individual’s learning and support needs to enable the design of an individual learning plan which will provide the structure for their learning. Initial assessment is a critical process because it represents the first stage in the learning cycle. The Learner Failure to accurately identify an individual’s learning needs may result in a learning plan, and a learning programme, which does not address those learning needs. The learner lies at the centre of the learning process and needs to be fully engaged with the initial assessment process. It is important that they feel that it is done with them and not to them. An individual’s learning and support needs are identified from the collection and analysis of a wide range of information. The different types of information which need to be considered during the initial assessment process are shown in figure 1. 1 below. There are a number of Initial assessment methods available. The methods fall into six groups: * Appraisals of written information, such as learners’ application forms, records of achievement, progress files and references. * Individual interviews. Formal tests. * Learner questionnaires. * Observed group activities. * Practical vocational activities. We do not normally use all the methods but chose those which are appropriate to the needs and circumstances of the learner. Typically you should use a combination of methods to assess an individual, in order to gain an accurate, overall picture of their needs. Information collected through one method well may reinforce information collected through a different method. In the some instances it may be contradictory and require the use of additional methods. Application Forms: Application forms are completed prior to entry onto learning programmes and are often used for selection purposes at that stage. They contain information that can be used to determine the individual’s learning plan and therefore useful in the initial assessment. The application form includes: * The courses the learner has studied and the qualifications that he or she has achieved. These are helpful in selecting whether a pre vocational, foundation or advance learning programme is appropriate. Eg, GSCE in English may give the learner exemption from part of the key skill requirements. Employment and work experience, which may include their current work. This information is useful in matching the learner to the appropriate occupational area and in deciding the level of qualifications to target. * Career interests and aspirations. Learners would expected these to be reflected in their learning plans * Previous work based learning. The learning plan should build on previous learnin g. If it is in a different occupational area there may be parts of that learning that are common and therefore do not need to be repeated. For learners with literacy difficulties, specific disabilities or where English is a second language, asking them to complete an application form may not prove beneficial. Suitable arrangements may need to be made for prospective learners where help can be provided. Interviews Interviews provide opportunity to discuss and gather information on: * The accuracy of the information contained in the learners’ application form. * Learners’ knowledge and understanding and suitability to undertake particular types of careers and jobs * Expected examination grades if these are unknown. This may help in the identification of the level of programme to be undertaken. * The results of any formal â€Å"tests† which have been undertaken prior to the interview such as psychometric tests or basic skills or key skills assessments. * Learners’ personal effectiveness. Where gaps are identified they need to be addressed within individual learning plans * Any health problems which might affect the type of job which they do. * Travel to work areas. Interviewing young people and adults who have been long term unemployed is a skilled process. If you are to get the best out of learner interviews, which forms an important part of the initial assessment process, we must ensure that we have a well developed and effective processes in place, and staff who are competent at conducting interviews Record of Achievement and Progress file Learner’s record of achievement can be used to both support and verify information recorded in the application forms and provided during the interviews. They can provide a focus for discussion during interview and give the learner confidence in talking about themselves. The progress file aims to build on the good practise from the National Record of Achievement. Progress file is a set of materials which are designed to help young people and adults make the most of themselves and their opportunities. It is a useful way of identifying learning and supporting requirements during the initial assessment process. References Gathering information from other sources about a learner is useful. It can be used to verify or support the information which has been gathered during the initial assessment. It may also provide another person’s viewpoint which may be contrary to your own. It may also reduce the likelyhood that the same information is repeatedly asked of learners. References sources include schools, colleges, careers services, employers, and voluntary groups, clubs. Basic Skills Assessment. Basic skills are the ability to speak, read and write in English and to use mathematics at a level sufficient to function and progress at work and in society. The initial assessment of basic skills is therefore crucial. Learners with a lack of basic skills are liable to make poor progress in their training and to have difficulty sustaining employment. Each and accurate assessment of their basic skills learning needs, followed by a learning plan to address those needs, can make a substantial difference to the learner. Tests are available for use in the initial assessment of basic skills. The tests fall into two categories: * Initial Screening. * Diagnostic assessment. Screening tests aim to identify those who may need support and to indicate an approximate level of their skill. Diagnostic test aim to identify the specific nature of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses and to clearly identify the learning needs. Key skills Initial Assessment Key skills are generic skills which can help individuals to improve their own learning and performance in education and training, work and life in general. Key skills are linked to basic skills in that they require their application in a wide range of contexts and the ability to transfer skills learnt in one environment to another. There are six key skills, performance in each of which is graded level 1-4: * Communication * Application of Number * Information Technology * Improving own learning and Performance * Working with Others Problem Solving Initial assessment of learner â€Å"key skills† on entry measures the distance each learner has to travel to reach that minimum target. Accurate initial assessment of key skills can lead to substantially different individual learning plans. Initial assessment of key skills may also determine the level of key skills an individual is capable of achieving during the learning programme. An assessment of a le arner’s existing level of key skills maybe possible from other initial assessment methods such as by looking at the application form. Psychometric Tests Psychometric tests are widely used in giving guidance on careers and in the selection of staff by employers. They are not used in isolation, but as a source of information alongside others, such as interviews. They can form a useful basis for discussion about a person’s career or about his or her suitability for a job. The impact of psychometric testing on an individual’s learning plan is more likely to be in the choice of occupational area, and the level of programme, than in the structure of the learning plan itself. Learning Styles Assessment Assessing learners’ learning styles is important in ensuring that they learn quickly and efficiently during their learning programme. Individuals learn best in a variety of different ways and have preferences for certain ways of learning. Some for example, learn best by doing things as opposed to thinking about them. Others prefer to learn by listening and sharing ideas with others. Learners are at risk of their training being ineffective, where the trainer’s own dominant learning style is in conflict with their own preferred learning style. There are some different learning style assessment tools which can be used. Learner Questionnaires. Learner questionnaires are often used to help learners indentify their own strengths and weaknesses and assess their own learning support needs. The results contribute, along with other sources of information, to the individual learning plan. Questionnaires can be designed to collect information on almost any aspect of a learner’s experience. This may include eg, A self assessment of their perceived skills and current performance. The outcomes are based on the learners’ perception of themselves which may not always be accurate. They are however an effective way of involving the learner in the identification of their own strengths, weaknesses and learning needs. Group Activities Observing a learner engaging in a group activity with others learners helps to measure specific attributes and to identify personal strengths and weakness. To be successful, group activities rely on having a number of observers who are properly trained and clearly defined criteria on which to ase their judgements. Eg Self confidence. Practical Vocational Activities It is often not until the learner actually experiences a job first hand that they know whether they like it or not. One of the reasons why many young people drop out of their learning programme is because the occupational area in which they are placed does not match their expectation. Allowing â€Å"taster or trials† allow the learner to experience at first hand a number of different occupations and helps them decide which most suits them. It also provides the opportunity for the employer to assess the learner’s vocational skills and suitability for the job as well as his or her learner and support needs Summarising the Outcomes of Initial Assessment The Initial Assessment involves the collection of a substantial amount of information about each individual, using a range of different methods and with often more than one member of staff involved. It is essential that the information is brought together to form a picture of the whole person. Information should be brought together on: * Career preferences and suitability * Achievements and Qualifications Attitude and potential * Prior learning and experience * Any basic skills assessments and their results * Any Key Skills assessment and their results * Any learning difficulty * Interests of the learner * Learning style * Job role * Personal effectiveness and areas which need to be addressed * Any personal circumstances which may affect learning All members of staf f involved in collecting the information should jointly agree the learner’s learning and support needs from the information which is available. The information should be used to set learning goals and used to develop each individual learning plan.