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How can you validate competencies? Observe.

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, July 25, 2007

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Your objectives provide the basis for how you evaluate learning. For instance, if the objective is to achieve competence in a psychomotor skill, then safe, accurate demonstration of skill acquisition can measure learning. If the objective is to achieve intellectual, didactic knowledge, then a written test may be the best way to measure learning. However, to demonstrate that learning actually took place, develop an objective before-and-after approach. For example, if you use a written test as the measurement tool, ask learners to complete the test before and after the learning activity.

The pretest must be done tactfully. Emphasize that the learner's score (or skill demonstration) will be used to demonstrate that learning took place. Assure them that it will not be shared with anyone other than the learner and the educator. No penalties should be involved with the pretest.

After you determine the best way to assess knowledge/skills before and after the learning activity, consider the following as part of your evaluation process:

• How clear are your instructions for the completion of pre- and post-learning tests? This is especially important for distance learning activities when the only way to explain this issue is via the written word or as part of an audio tape.
• Are written materials prepared at the appropriate reading level for the learners?
• Do your written testing materials indicate that employees whose native language is not English are unable to understand what is required of them? (If this is the case, use this information to justify funding to offer English as a second language classes.)
• Are employees whose native language is not English able to follow verbal instructions during psychomotor skill acquisition and demonstrations?
• Do employees understand why it is important to demonstrate learning?

Editor's note: The above excerpt is from the online course "Nursing CE Series: Successful Strategies for Training Your Nursing Staff." For more information on this and other courses in our library, go to http://www.hcprofessor.com.

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