Comparative Study of Students' Assessment in General Mechanics in Three Tvet Colleges in Addis Ababa
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study, aimed to describe and analyze the existing assessment practices in General
Mechanics in TVET sector in a comparative manner among some selected Government,
private and NGO Colleges in Addis Ababa and the contribution of the assessment practices
toward the enhancement of quality learning. The sample participants of the study were 24
instructors and 18 students, enrolled at 10 + 3 program in 2007/08 academic calendar from
the three selected private, Government and NGO Colleges.
Interview and Focused Group Discussion were conducted, questionnaire is administered to
find out how assessment is conducted and how the information gleaned from the
assessment is used and how often the instructors exercise the assessment formatively as an
integral part of the teaching and learning process with respect to students' involvement in
the learning, modeling of quality work, giving feedback and self assessment. Document
analysis is also undertaken. Both the quantitative and qualitative data collected are
analyzed and interpreted. The qualitative data are transcribed, translated, categorized and
coded into recognizable themes. The tests and examination papers were also analyzed in
terms of their content.
The study finds out that the assessment on both students' theoretical knowledge and the
practical skills in continuous manner is the practice that promotes quality. The weak areas
addressed in the study are that formative assessment lacks detailed criteria and achievement
is not evaluated against prescribed learning outcomes. Besides, there is no meaningful
involvement of learners in the learning. There is also a lack of self assessment and the test
papers inclined to focus on the cognitive aspect oflearning.
The study recommends that assessment primarily needs to focus on the progress towards
the objective performance requirements rather than comparison between individuals. It is
also needed to be done formatively with clear intention and teachers adjust their teaching
accordingly. Students are needed to have involvement in peer assessment.
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Keywords
Comparative Study of Students', Assessment in General Mechanics