Tilting at Windmills: the problems of challenging the National Council for Vocational Qualifications

The recent Smithers critique of the role of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ) has opened up the debate about the effectiveness of this system for achieving the current goals of upgrading vocational studies and reforming the 14‐19 curriculum. It is argued that, although Smithers is broadly correct in his attack on the NCVQ, there are some areas of ambiguity and also ways in which the critique fails to capture the full scope of the problems. The nature and full implications of the inappropriateness of the NCVQ enterprise is illustrated through an examination of the main weaknesses of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and the competence‐based education and training (CBET) strategy which underpins them and, in particular, by reviewing some specific problems of learning and assessment and the findings of a number of recent critical studies. In view of the seriousness of these shortcomings of the NCVQ system it is suggested that perhaps the only genuine solution to the current difficulties lies in the recommendations of the 1993 National Commission on Education report for the abolition of the present system of academic and vocational qualifications.     

Curriculum change: a study of the implementation of General National Vocational Qualifications

This article focuses on curriculum change, in particular on course team responses to the introduction of a new curriculum and on the implications of empirical findings for our understanding of curriculum implementation and change. The case discussed is that of the second version of GNVQ. The discussion is based on an analysis of data collected across twenty-two course teams in ten schools and colleges over a two-year period as part of an ESRC-funded project. The model of comprehensive assessment of the second version of the GNVQ is one in which the curriculum reinforcement role of assessment related to the coverage and standards of the qualification but not to the design of courses. Theoretically, significant scope was accorded to course teams to develop and provide courses that responded to local contexts. The article explores how patterns of difference and similarity in course team responses to the introduction of this curriculum might be explained and indicates three broad approaches: implementation, adaptation and assimilation, relating these responses to the existing experience and expertise of members of the various course teams. The article draws on concepts from the field of linguistics to put forward the notions of ‘curricular fields’ and ‘sub-curricular fields’ and suggests that curriculum implementation needs to take greater account of the sub-curricular fields of course teams.     

The Validity and Value of National Vocational Qualifications: the case of purchasing

Abstract

This paper outlines the process through which competence‐based National Vocational Qualifications in Purchasing have been developed against the context of criticisms of the concept itself and the methodology adopted. It is argued that the validity of such qualifications lies in practitioner involvement in their development and assessment. They also have value through their incorporation in organisational personnel selection and development processes. Ultimately, however, their validity and value remain to be established through empirical research.     

Adopting National Vocational Qualifications in the Offshore Industry: A Case Study

Abstract

This paper explores the feasibility of introducing National Vocational Qualifications into the Offshore industry. A case study is used to examine the changing perceptions of trainers as they work through the implications of adopting the new framework. Conceptualisations developed in the educational innovation literature are used to help understand the change process. Three areas of concern are identified which illustrate a gap between the aims and practicalities of implementing the qualifications. The conclusion differentiates four emerging research issues.     

The Review of Vocational Qualifications, 1985 to 1986: An Analysis of its Role in the Development of Competence-based Vocational Qualifications in England and Wales

A significant historical role in the development of competence-based vocational qualifications in England and Wales is customarily ascribed to the 1985 to 1986 Review of Vocational Qualifications (RVQ), the body which invented the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). This paper analyses the RVQ's internal debates. The paper demonstrates that the RVQ proposed only the general principles of a structure and an administration for a reformed vocational qualifications system. The RVQ did not address in detail either the definition of occupational competence or the curriculum and assessment models to be embodied in the NVQ. In the light of this analysis, the paper re-evaluates the role of the RVQ in the development of competence-based vocational qualifications, and suggests some potentially fruitful areas for future research.     

实行教师资格国家考试的必要性及具体设想

教师资格考试是我国教师资格制度的重要内容。统一而完善的教师资格考试体系对顺利实施教师资格制度,培养和选拔合格教师,提高我国教师整体素质等都有着重要意义。然而,当前我国还没有统一的教师资格考试办法,各地实施的教师资格考试无论在法律规定方面,还是在实际操作方面都存在着很多问题。提倡实行教师资格国家考试制度,并提出具体构想。     

完善国家职业资格鉴定体系 推动职业教育良性发展

德国职业教育模式是一种成功典范,其职业资格鉴定体系对职业教育的导向作用十分重要.目前,我国职业资格和技能等级鉴定存在很多不完善的地方,在一定程度上阻碍了职业教育的发展.所以,鉴德国职业资格鉴定体系的成功经验,完善我国职业资格鉴定制度,以推动职业教育发展势在必行.     

论建立统一的国家职业资格鉴定制度

职业资格证书制度既是国家劳动制度的一部分,也是教育制度的一部分.我国职业资格鉴定中所存在的"政出多门.标准不一"等现象,令高职院校无所适从,也给我国产业带来了不利影响.因此,建立统一的国家职业资格鉴定制度成了发展高职教育和培养高技能人才的当务之急.     

论建立统一的国家职业资格鉴定制度

职业资格证书制度既是国家劳动制度的一部分,也是教育制度的一部分.我国职业资格鉴定中所存在的"政出多门.标准不一"等现象,令高职院校无所适从,也给我国产业带来了不利影响.因此,建立统一的国家职业资格鉴定制度成了发展高职教育和培养高技能人才的当务之急.     

Video Portfolio Assessment: Creating a Framework for Viewing the Functions of Teaching

The goal in this work was to study how a professional assessment of teaching can be developed that will have a positive impact on the professional development of teachers who participate, either as candidates or evaluators. Our hypothesis was that such a positive Impact depends upon two factors: on teachers developing a socially shared language of practice for describing important functions of classroom teaching, and on their using this language in discussing videos of teaching covering a wide range of classroom situations. Our focus was on constructing an interpretive framework (and criteria) that could serve as this language of practice We present psychometric and semantic analyses showing that teachers are consistent in observing these functions of teaching and in using their observations to evaluate teaching in a variety of classroom contexts. We also present qualitative evidence showing how participating in collaborative video analysis or in scoring video portfolios benefits teachers in improving their professional practice.     

档案袋评价:关注学生学习与成长的评价

档案袋是对学生学习与成长过程的追踪记录,指的是通过对档案袋的制作过程和最终结果的分析而对学生发展状况所作出的评价.与传统评价方法相比,它对于调动学生学习的积极性,促进学生的有效学习与成长等具有重要的意义.     

History and practice: a commentary on play history as a lens for pedagogical reflection

ABSTRACT

In this commentary, pedagogical reflection is examined through the lens of a practitioners’ personal memories of childhood play. The telling of these stories uncovers and describes the ways in which teachers’ personal play histories and their reflections upon them could inform their facilitative relationship to, provision for, and perceptions of dramatic play in their classroom. The term play history is not limited to only childhood memories, rather, it can be further clarified as memories of and experiences with play as children, young adults, and as grown practitioners. Space for both pre- and in-service teachers to explore and examine relationships and experiences with play provides a platform for acknowledgement of their pasts in relation to how they think about, allow for, and engage in play now as a professional.     

翻译课程档案袋评价模式应用研究

传统的翻译课程评价模式注重翻译结果而非翻译过程,忽视了对学生学习主体性和主动性的培养。该文提出翻译课程应以档案袋为研究基础,全面了解学生在翻译活动的准备前期、正式翻译过程以及翻译活动结束后的各项活动,试图对其整个翻译过程进行监控,从而根据全过程对学生的翻译活动进行评价。翻译档案袋评价模式旨在改革传统的翻译课程评价体系,更加关注学生在翻译实践中的主动性和主体性,使评价更客观,也更有利于维护学生的自尊心,增强其自信心。     

Ten Years of the National Policy on Education in Nigeria: An Assessment of Policy on Special Education

The National Policy on Education in Nigeria is an important document that had attractive plans for the Educational System of the country in general and, in particular, for persons with a disability. As the policy concerns the welfare and education of persons with a disability, its implementation has been fraught with the problem of lack of a legal document to regulate implementation activities. Basic to this problem, of course, are those of funding, limited definitions and policy objectives. This paper highlights these problems with brief discussions and concludes with suggestions for effective implementation.     

土地评估机构资质的立法冲突和解决对策

关于土地评估机构资质的行政立法矛盾已持续多年，给国企改制等市场化趋向产生了延时、不确定和偏失公正等影响，其引发的诉讼还给司法部门带来了抉择难题：这种行政立法矛盾的产生很大程序上与部门利益有关。全文探讨了最终解决矛盾的对策及过渡期的衔接方法。     

政策同形:"国家示范性高职院校建设"政策制定的一种解释

国家示范性高职院校建设政策是我国高职教育改革发展的一项重要战略举措.研究发现,这一政策与原先实施的示范性职业技术学院建设这一高职教育内部政策在实践中并不存在联结关系,而是与高职外部的"211工程"政策存在一定的同形效仿关系.但外源性的政策借鉴在执行中应保持政策变迁时必要的内部连贯性和继承性,重视对政策学习借鉴中的动机与实效进行评估监控,防惠政策执行中目标与中心任务的偏离现象.     

政策评估、反思与重构:我国高职院校评估政策更替中的路径抉择

政策评估、反思与重构是我国教育政策运行的一般性路径抉择.在对政策评估、反思与重构等相关要素分析的基础上,通过对我国高职院校评估政策更替的历史回顾提出,评估政策目标的转向必然导致对原政策"四大情结"的反思.从深度访谈、评估结论、数据平台等方面进行政策重构的解读后发现,针对旧方案存在的"四大情结"取向,新方案一方面删除了部分过时、无效的指标,改变了过去那种以查证、审核、抽检为主要任务的专家组做法;另一方面开发并形成了以数据采集平台为主要手段的评估体系,并采用了深度访谈的专家评估方式.评估政策的重构将引领新一轮高职评估的开展.     

Assessment in a Rwandan higher education institution: a quest for aligned assessment to promote socio-economic transformation

Assessment in institutions of higher learning has been researched worldwide. However, there are gaps in research exploring the implications of assessment practices for learners’ access to the kind of knowledge enabling them to participate in their communities’ socio-economic transformation. This is the case in the African Great Lakes region, including Rwanda. This paper investigated the assessment practices at the University of Rwanda-College of Education to establish whether they enable students to access powerful knowledge for socio-economic transformation, which promotes critical thinking and creativity, or the knowledge of the powerful, which promotes memorization of knowledge produced by experts. The study adopted mixed methods, where 361 questions from 20 examinations papers for 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic years were analysed using Bloom’s revised taxonomy. Interviews with lecturers and group discussions with students were conducted. The findings revealed that assessment practices heavily encourage the knowledge of the powerful, with limited focus on the socio-economic transformative knowledge. Such practices are unlikely to lead to national socioeconomic transformation, which the government expects from education. The paper recommends revisiting assessment practices in Rwandan higher education to instil in the graduates the required knowledge for active contribution to socio-economic transformation.