INTRODUCTION
The IO2 is addressed to those who have been trained on inclusive societies and disability and how to define a real change in the policy contexts at local level (at least).
Basically, IO2 is a validation procedure / tool of skills and knowledge for the individuals/trainees engaged in the ACCESS4All capacity building actions.
Objectives
● To assess the desired level of the awareness and capacity the participants-trainees will have developed
● To measure the effectiveness level of the training package (IO1).
Expected results
● The tool will contextualize the learning process and give the chance to the trainees to be assessed and gain a kind of measurable certification.
● People trained with the completion of the project will be awarded with an automatic ‘certification’, a way of digital validation and assessment of their knowledge and skills.
● This assessment certification may be also used as an ‘index’ of responsibility and activation towards such issues.
The Tool – the Method
It is a multidimensional ICT tool, standardized according to educational evaluation principles and the context of psychometric approach.
On the base of the modules/knowledge/skills, the tool wants to ‘check’ if the participants in (potential) charge of policies for disabilities in inclusive communities have developed the specific knowledge and competences.
Training effectiveness refers to the quality of the training provided and measuring whether the training met its goals and objectives.
One of the most popular models for evaluating training, both face-to-face and online, is the Kirkpatrick model.
This model offers a four-level approach to evaluating any course or training programs:
Level 1: Reaction
How did the participants react or respond to the training?
Level 2: Learning
What did participants learn from the training?
Level 3: Behavior
How do trainees imagine they can put what they have learned into practice at work?
Level 4: Results
Did the training meet the stakeholders’ expectations?
How to use the method within access4all
The proposed Tool applies the model across the 4 levels, for each of which a specific tool has been prepared.
The following diagram illustrates the levels, linked together in a circular process at the centre of which is the person (the learner).
The IO2 Tool consists of
0. the questionnaire for the initial self-assessment
Level 1: the general section (for each Module)
Level 2: the specific section related to each Module
Level 3. the questionnaire for the final self-assessment
Level 4: certification
a. The initial self-assessment questionnaire is aimed at identifying the learner’s training needs and at the same time to stimulate awareness of their knowledge. It will be administered at the time of registration. The format range is 0-3 (Not sufficient, Sufficient, Good, Excellent). Its score will not influence the assessment of learning and the awarding of the certificate, but it will have a motivational value.
b. General Section is the same for each Module. It offers the participants the possibility of carrying out both an evaluation of the module and a self-assessment. It will be administered at the end of each module. Contains both closed and open questions. For closed questions, the format range is 0-3 (Not sufficient, Sufficient, Good, Excellent). Its score will not influence the assessment of learning and the awarding of the certificate, but it is important for the learner to reflect on the itinerary taken and it is important for the staff to check the effectiveness of the training process.
c. Specific Sections (1 for each Module). It will be administered at the end of each module. It contains items/questions due to the learning content. A Multiple Choice Test is applied to assess learning results. The format range is 0-1 (Wrong-Right). It is the main tool, which will measure learning and allow the awarding of the certificate.
d. The final self-assessment questionnaire. It will be administered at the end of Training. It contains the same items as the initial questionnaire and is aimed to allow the learner to verify any changes/improvements due to the training.
After the completion of the test, users get an automatic report including the results – while with the desired level, they get the relevant ‘certification’.
As far as the scoring of the Specific Sections is concerned, it could be as follows: