Assessing for competence need not devalue grades

Article


Van Der Vyver, Glen. 2007. "Assessing for competence need not devalue grades." Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. 4, pp. 343-351.
Article Title

Assessing for competence need not devalue grades

ERA Journal ID22235
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorVan Der Vyver, Glen
Journal TitleIssues in Informing Science and Information Technology
Journal Citation4, pp. 343-351
Number of Pages9
Year2007
Place of PublicationSanta Rosa, California, USA
ISSN1547-5840
1547-5859
Web Address (URL)http://iisit.org/IssuesVol4v2.htm
Abstract

[Abstract]: Norm-based assessment is under fire from some quarters because it is often unfair and is out of touch with the demands of the job market. Criterion-referenced assessment is touted as the answer by others but problems remain, in particular with regards to the maintenance of standards.

This study examines the use of competency-based assessment in an undergraduate database course. The findings suggest that it is possible to create an assessment instrument that is relevant to particular skills required in the job market but does not inflate grades across the board. A remarkable idiosyncrasy emerges in that the distribution of scores assumes a bi-polar shape with a significant number of high grades and a significant number of grades at the lowest passing level or failing grades.

Keywordsgrade inflation, criterion-based assessment, academic standards, competence, norm-based assessment.
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390402. Education assessment and evaluation
Public Notes

Published version deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher - free access publication.

Journal issue also published as book: Eli Cohen (ed.) Information and Beyond: Part I.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Information Systems
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y90q/assessing-for-competence-need-not-devalue-grades

Download files


Published Version
VanderVyver_2007_PV.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 2879
    total views
  • 206
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 5
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Is XP agile enough for the development of Web information systems?
Lane, Michael S., Van der Vyver, Glen Litton and Koronios, Andy. 2003. "Is XP agile enough for the development of Web information systems?" Lethbridge, N. (ed.) 14th Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2003). Perth, Australia 26 - 28 Nov 2003 Perth, Western Australia.
Interpretative insights into interpersonal trust and effectiveness of virtual communities of open source software (OSS) developers
Lane, Michael S., van der Vyver, Glen, Basnet, Prajwal and Howard, Srecko. 2004. "Interpretative insights into interpersonal trust and effectiveness of virtual communities of open source software (OSS) developers." 15th Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2004). Hobart, Australia 01 - 03 Dec 2004 Hobart, Tasmania.
Trust in virtual communities involved in free/open source projects: an empirical study
Lane, Michael S., van der Vyver, Glen and Basnet, Prajwal. 2004. "Trust in virtual communities involved in free/open source projects: an empirical study." 15th Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2004). Hobart, Australia 01 - 03 Dec 2004 Hobart, Tasmania.
Agile methodologies and the emergence of the agile organisation: a software development approach waiting for its time?
Van Der Vyver, Glen, Koronios, Andy and Lane, Michael S.. 2003. "Agile methodologies and the emergence of the agile organisation: a software development approach waiting for its time?" Hillier, Matthew, Falconer, Don, Hanisch, Jo and Horrocks, Sam (ed.) 7th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2003). Adelaide, Australia 10 - 13 Jul 2003 Adelaide, South Australia.
Partnership quality in IT outsourcing: a mixed methods review of its measurement
Lane, Michael S. and Van Der Vyver, Glen. 2005. "Partnership quality in IT outsourcing: a mixed methods review of its measurement." Campbell, Bruce, Underwood, Jim and Bunker, Deborah (ed.) 16th Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2005). Manly, Australia 30 Nov - 02 Dec 2005 Manly, Australia.
Facilitators and inhibitors for the adoption of agile methods
Van Der Vyver, Glen, Lane, Michael and Koronios, Andy. 2010. "Facilitators and inhibitors for the adoption of agile methods." Siau, Keng, Chiang, Roger and Hardgrave, Bill C. (ed.) Systems analysis and design: people, processes, and projects. United States. Routledge. pp. 31-50
The search for the adaptable ICT student
Van Der Vyver, Glen. 2009. "The search for the adaptable ICT student." Journal of Information Technology Education: Research. 8 (1), pp. 19-28.
Using the new generation of IS development techniques in effective group learning: a pilot study of a team-based approach in an IT Course
Van Der Vyver, Glen and Lane, Michael S.. 2003. "Using the new generation of IS development techniques in effective group learning: a pilot study of a team-based approach in an IT Course." 2003 Informing Science + Information Technology Education Joint Conference 2003 (InSITE 2003). Pori, Finland 24 - 27 Jun 2003 Santa Rosa, CA, United States.
Does off-shoring IT make good business sense? Proceed with caution!
Lane, Michael and Van Der Vyver, Glen. 2006. "Does off-shoring IT make good business sense? Proceed with caution!" Tan, Bernard (ed.) 10th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2006). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 06 - 09 Jul 2006 Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Conceptual frames of reference and their influence on e-commerce system development
Van Der Vyver, Glen and Lane, Michael S.. 2003. "Conceptual frames of reference and their influence on e-commerce system development." Andersen, Kim, Elliot, Steve, Swatman, Paula, Trauth, Eileen and Bjorn-Andersen, Niels (ed.) Seeking success in e-business: a multidisciplinary approach. Norwell, Mass, United States. Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 69-90
Factors influencing the decision to choose information technology preparatory studies in secondary schools: an exploratory study in regional/rural Australia
Van Der Vyver, Glen, Crabb, Debbie and Lane, Michael S.. 2004. "Factors influencing the decision to choose information technology preparatory studies in secondary schools: an exploratory study in regional/rural Australia." Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. 1, pp. 729-739.
Are universities To blame for the IT careers crisis
Van Der Vyver, Glen and Lane, Michael S.. 2006. "Are universities To blame for the IT careers crisis." Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. 3, pp. 679-686.
Higher education course content: paper-based, online or hybrid course delivery?
Van Der Vyver, Glen and Lane, Michael S.. 2004. "Higher education course content: paper-based, online or hybrid course delivery?" Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology. 1, pp. 827-844.
Using a team-based approach in an IS Course: an empirical study
Van Der Vyver, Glen and Lane, Michael S.. 2003. "Using a team-based approach in an IS Course: an empirical study." Journal of Information Technology Education. 2 (Special issue), pp. 393-406.
An electronic commerce initiative in regional Sri Lanka: the vision for the central province electronic commerce portal
Lane, Michael S., Van Der Vyver, Glen, Delpachitra, Sarath and Howard, Srecko. 2004. "An electronic commerce initiative in regional Sri Lanka: the vision for the central province electronic commerce portal." The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. 16 (1), pp. 1-18.
A review of IT outsourcing trends in 2005: an Australian study
Lane, Michael S. and Van der Vyver, Glen. 2005. "A review of IT outsourcing trends in 2005: an Australian study." Wei, Chih-Ping and Yen, Benjamin (ed.) 9th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2005). Bangkok, Thailand 07 - 10 Jul 2005 Hong Kong.
IT outsourcing success: revisiting the measurement of a multi-dimensional construct: an Australian perspective
Lane, Michael S., Van Der Vyver, Glen and Hajiyev, Eldar. 2005. "IT outsourcing success: revisiting the measurement of a multi-dimensional construct: an Australian perspective." Wei, Chih-Ping and Yen, Benjamin (ed.) 9th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2005). Bangkok, Thailand 07 - 10 Jul 2005 Hong Kong.