Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Assessment criteria for competency-based education: a study in nursing education

  • Published:
Instructional Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined the effects of type of assessment criteria (performance-based vs. competency-based), the relevance of assessment criteria (relevant criteria vs. all criteria), and their interaction on secondary vocational education students’ performance and assessment skills. Students on three programmes in the domain of nursing and care (N = 93) participated in the study. Results show that students who were given the relevant criteria made more accurate assessments of an expert model, performed better on a test and achieved higher instructional efficiency (defined as the relationship between performance and mental effort) compared to students who were given all criteria. Students who were given performance-based assessment criteria made more accurate assessments of an expert model and scored higher on task performance during practice compared to students who were given competency-based assessment criteria. They invested less mental effort in the assessments, resulting in higher instructional efficiency. An interaction effect for the concreteness of answers shows that the combination of performance-based and relevant criteria leads to superior analysis of worked examples compared to the other combinations of criteria.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albanese, M. A., Mejicano, G., Anderson, W. M., & Gruppen, L. (2010). Building a competency-based curriculum: The agony and the ecstasy. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 15(3), 439–454.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alinier, G., Hunt, B., Gordon, R., & Harwood, C. (2006). Effectiveness of intermediate-fidelity simulation training technology in nursing education. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 54(3), 359–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biemans, H., Nieuwenhuis, L., Poell, R., Mulder, M., & Wesselink, R. (2004). Competence-based VET in the Netherlands: Background and pitfalls. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 54(4), 523–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biemans, H., Wesselink, R., Gulikers, J., Schaafsma, S., Verstegen, J., & Mulder, M. (2009). Towards competence-based VET: Dealing with the pitfalls. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 61(3), 267–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birenbaum, M. (2003). New insights into learning and teaching and their implications for assessment. In M. Segers, F. Dochy, & E. Cascallar (Eds.), Optimising new modes of assessment: In search of qualities and standards (pp. 13–36). Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brockmann, M., Clarke, L., Méhaut, P., & Winch, C. (2008). Competence-based vocational education and training (VET): The cases of England and France in a European perspective. Vocations and Learning, 1, 227–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • COLO. (2008). Prepared for the future: Dutch qualifications for the labour market. Retrieved from http://www.colo.nl/publications.html.

  • Corbalan, G., Kester, L., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2009). Dynamic task selection: Effects of feedback and learner control on efficiency and motivation. Learning and Instruction, 19, 455–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crossley, J., & Jolly, B. (2012). Making sense of work-based assessment: Ask the right questions, in the right way, about the right things, of the right people. Medical Education, 46(1), 28–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dearnley, C. A., & Meddings, F. S. (2007). Student self-assessment and its impact on learning. A pilot study. Nurse Education Today, 27, 330–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., Eghrari, H., Patrick, B. C., & Leone, D. (1994). Facilitating internalization: The self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Personality, 62, 119–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duchastel, P. C., & Merrill, P. F. (1973). The effects of behavioural objectives on learning: A review of empirical studies. Review of Educational Research, 43, 53–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunning, D., Heath, C., & Suls, J. M. (2004). Flawed self-assessment: Implications for health, education, and the workplace. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 5(3), 69–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ecclestone, K. (2001). ‘I know a 2:1 when I see it’: Understanding criteria for degree classifications in franchised university programmes. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 25(3), 301–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fastré, G. M., van der Klink, M., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2010). The effects of performance-based assessment criteria on student performance and self-assessment skills. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 15(4), 517–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fastré, G. M., van der Klink, M., van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Sluijsmans, D. (2012). Drawing students’ attention to relevant assessment criteria: Effects on self-assessment skills and performance. Journal of vocational education and training, 64(2), 185–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garside, J., Nhemachena, J. Z. Z., Williams, J., & Topping, A. (2009). Repositioning assessment: Giving students the ‘choice’ of assessment methods. Nurse Education in Practice, 9, 141–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grégoire, J. (1997). Diagnostic assessment of learning disabilities: From assessment of performance to assessment of competence. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 13(1), 10–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulikers, J. T. M., Baartman, L. K. J., & Biemans, H. J. A. (2010). Facilitating evaluations of innovative, competence-based assessments: Creating understanding and involving multiple stakeholders. Evaluation and Program Planning, 33, 120–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gulikers, J. T. M., Kester, L., Kirschner, P. A., & Bastiaens, Th J. (2008). The influence of practical experience on perceptions, study approach and learning outcomes in authentic assessment. Learning and Instruction, 18(2), 172–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyt, W. T., & Kerns, M. D. (1999). Magnitude and moderators of bias in observer ratings: A meta analysis. Psychological Methods, 4, 403–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kicken, W., Brand-Gruwel, S., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2006). Self-directed learning skills questionnaire. Heerlen, the Netherlands: Open Universiteit Nederland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kicken, W., Brand-Gruwel, S., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (2008). Scaffolding advice on task selection: A safe path toward self-directed learning in on-demand education. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 60, 223–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koh, L. C. (2008). Refocusing formative feedback to enhance learning in pre-registration nurse education. Nurse Education in Practice, 8, 223–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, S. F., Mok, E., & Wong, D. (2008). The impact of assessment methods on the learning of nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 28, 711–719.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lurie, S. J. (2012). History and practice of competency-based assessment. Medical Education, 46, 49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mager, R. (1975). Preparing instructional objectives (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Lake Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malone, K., & Supri, S. (2012). A critical time for medical education; the perils of competence-based reform of the curriculum. Advances in Health Science Education, 17, 241–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martens, R. L. & Kirschner, P. A. (2004). What predicts intrinsic motivation? Paper presented at the 2004 AECT convention, Chicago.

  • Miller, G. E. (1990). The assessment of clinical skills/competence/performance. Academic Medicine, 65, S63–S67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norcini, J., Anderson, B., Bollela, V., Burch, V., Costa, M. J., Duvivier, R., et al. (2011). Criteria for good assessment: Consensus statement and recommendations from the Ottawa 2010 Conference. Medical Teacher, 33(3), 206–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paas, F., Tuovinen, J. E., Tabbers, H., & van Gerven, P. (2003). Cognitive load measurement as a means to advance cognitive load theory. Educational Psychologist, 38(1), 63–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paas, F., & van Merriënboer, J. J. G. (1993). The efficiency of instructional conditions: An approach to combine mental effort and performance measures. Human Factors, 35, 737–743.

    Google Scholar 

  • Regehr, G., & Eva, K. (2006). Self-assessment, self-direction, and the self-regulating professional. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 449, 34–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadler, D. R. (1985). The origins and functions of evaluative criteria. Educational Theory, 35(3), 285–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadler, D. R. (1989). Formative assessment and the design of instructional systems. Instructional Science, 18, 119–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stark, R., Kopp, V., & Fischer, M. R. (2009). Case-based learning with worked examples in complex domains: Two experimental studies in undergraduate medical education. Learning and Instruction. doi:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2009.10.001.

  • Sweller, J., van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Paas, F. (1998). Cognitive architecture and instructional design. Educational Psychology Review, 10, 251–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van der Klink, M. R., Boon, J., & Schlusmans, K. (2007). Competences and vocational higher education: Now and in future. European Journal of Vocational Training, 30(1), 67–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gog, T., & Paas, F. (2008). Instructional efficiency: Revisiting the original construct in educational research. Educational Psychologist, 43, 16–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Kirschner, P. A. (2007). Ten steps to complex learning. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum/Taylor and Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Sweller, J. (2005). Cognitive load theory and complex learning: Recent developments and future directions. Educational Psychology Review, 17, 147–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wierstra, R. F. A., Kanselaar, G., van der Linden, J. L., & Lodewijks, H. G. L. C. (1999). Learning environment perceptions of European university students. Learning Environments Research, 2, 79–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Greet M. J. Fastré.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fastré, G.M.J., van der Klink, M.R., Amsing-Smit, P. et al. Assessment criteria for competency-based education: a study in nursing education. Instr Sci 42, 971–994 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-014-9326-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-014-9326-5

Keywords

Navigation