Assessment in the Use of Excel Competency for Problem Solving Using the Approach of Expert and Novice Theory

Authors

  • Katherina Edith Gallardo Tecnologico de Monterrey
  • Jaime Ricardo Valenzuela González Tecnológico de Monterrey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v60i3.56013

Keywords:

competency-based learning, performance assessment, theory of experts and novices, problem-solving, Excel

Abstract

The assessment of Competency-Based Learning (CBL) generally lacks a foundation to guide the construction of instruments that accords the nature and goals of this educational model. The measurement instruments normally used in CBL only provide a numerical score with limited information about the levels of competencies reached. This research aims to outline an assessment model that gives room to infer the individual's level of achieved competencies. The study is grounded in the theory of experts and novices and employed a mixed methodology in order not only to discover the measurement of the levels of competency from a numerical perspective but also to qualitatively understand how the students achieve a certain level of expertise in a concrete disciplinary area. The focus of this research study was on problem solving using Excel. Five professors participated in criteria selection, problem design, and the assessment process. We concluded that CBL assessment can be implemented in a more integral way when supported by theoretical frameworks that permit instructors to assess students' achievements and give more effective feedback related to their strengths and weaknesses.

L’évaluation de l’apprentissage basé sur la compétence n’a pas, de façon générale, de fondement pour guider la construction d’instruments qui cadrent avec la nature et les objectifs de ce modèle éducatif. Les instruments de mesure normalement utilisés en apprentissage basé sur la compétence fournissent uniquement une note numérique et des données limitées quant aux niveaux de compétences acquises. Cette recherche veut fournir un aperçu d’un modèle d’évaluation qui comporte une marge permettant de déduire le niveau de compétences acquises par les élèves. L’étude s’appuie sur la théorie des experts et des débutants. Elle repose sur une méthodologie mixte de sorte à découvrir comment mesurer les niveaux de compétence à partir de valeurs numériques, ainsi que comment comprendre, de façon qualitative, comment les élèves atteignent un certain niveau d’expertise dans un domaine concret. La recherche misait la résolution de problèmes en utilisant Excel. Cinq professeurs ont participé à la sélection des critères, à la conception des problèmes et au processus d’évaluation. Nous avons conclu que l’évaluation de l’apprentissage basé sur la compétence peut être mise en œuvre de manière plus intégrée quand elle est appuyée par des cadres théoriques permettant aux enseignants d’évaluer les performances des élèves et fournir de la rétroaction plus efficace sur leurs forces et leurs faiblesses.

Author Biographies

Katherina Edith Gallardo, Tecnologico de Monterrey

Katherina Edith Gallardo Córdova is a professor at the Graduate School of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences, in the Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM). She has a Ph.D. In Innovation and Educational Technology by ITESM. She is also a member of the National Researchers System, from the National Council of Science and Technology, México. Her research interests are focused on the subjects of educational evaluation, online learning and adult education

Jaime Ricardo Valenzuela González, Tecnológico de Monterrey

Jaime Ricardo Valenzuela González is a professor at the Graduate School of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences, in the Tecnológico de Monterrey (México). He has a Ph.D. In Educational Psychology by the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a member of the National Researchers System, from the National Council of Science and Technology, México. His research interests are focused on the subjects of educational evaluation, competence based education, and online learning.

Downloads

Published

2015-09-24

How to Cite

Gallardo, K. E., & Valenzuela González, J. R. (2015). Assessment in the Use of Excel Competency for Problem Solving Using the Approach of Expert and Novice Theory. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 60(3), 559–575. https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v60i3.56013

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 3 (2014): Fall

Section

ARTICLES

License

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA COPYRIGHT LICENSE AND PUBLICATION AGREEMENT

If accepted, authors will be asked to sign a copyright agreement with the following points:

A. Where there is any inconsistency between this Copyright License and Publication Agreement and any other document or agreement in relation to the same subject matter, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

B. This document sets out the rights you are granting in relation to publication of your article, book review, or research note entitled (the “Article”) through inclusion in the academic journal titled Alberta Journal of Educational Research (the “Journal”) published through the Faculty of Education, representing the Governors of the University of Alberta (the “Journal Editor”).

C. There will be no payment to you for this publication and grant of rights. In consideration of the agreement to publish the Article in the Journal:

1. You are warranting that:

  1. the content of the Article is your original work, and its content does not contain any material infringing the copyright of others; or, where the Article is not entirely your original work, you have obtained all necessary permissions in writing to grant the rights you are giving in this agreement;
  2. the content of the Article does not contain any material that is defamatory of, or violates the privacy rights of, or discloses the confidential information of, any other person;
  3. the Article has not been published elsewhere in whole or in part, and you will not allow publication of the Article elsewhere without the consent of the Journal Editor;
  4. the names of all co-authors and contributors to the Article are:

2. You agree to license the copyright in the Article to the Journal Editor, on a worldwide, perpetual, royalty free basis; and to the extent required by the terms of this agreement. You shall retain the right at all times to be acknowledged as the/an author of the Article.

3. You further agree that the Journal Editor has the entitlement to deal with the Article as the Journal Editor sees fit, and including in the following manner;

  1. The right to print, publish, market, communicate and distribute the Article and the Journal, in this and any subsequent editions, in all media (including electronic media), in all languages, and in all territories, ing the full term of copyright, and including any form of the Article separated from the Journal, such as in a database, abstract, offprint, translation or otherwise, and to authorize third parties to do so;
  2. The right to register copyright of the Journal;
  3. The right to edit the Article, to conform to editorial policy as the Journal Editor sees fit.

4. If any co-author or contributor to the Article does not sign this agreement, the Journal Editor reserves the right to refuse to publish the Article.