SEFI@work: Contemporary Approaches to Assessment of Engineering Competencies for Diverse Learners

SEFI@work session from the series “International Handbook of Engineering Education Research”

Offered to you by the SIG on Engineering Education Research together with SIG on Engineering Skills

16 January 2024
15:00 – 16:00 (CET)

SPEAKER: Kerrie Douglas, Purdue University, Indiana

Kerrie Douglas will present the Contemporary Approaches to Assessment of Engineering Competencies for Diverse Learners, chapter 31 from the International Handbook of Engineering Education Research. This webinar provides a unique opportunity to get insights in this research topic in Engineering Education and to get to know the researchers behind the chapter. You will have the opportunity to ask questions around the chapter and engage in an interesting conversation with other attendees.

Chapter 31 Abstract:

The purpose of this chapter is to present a sociocultural-informed, evidence-centered design (SCI-ECD) model for designing and validating multidimensional assessment instruments of engineering competencies. This chapter also aims to guide assessment developers and researchers in engineering education. First, the chapter discusses the need to assess multidimensional learning in engineering based on the global demand for engineers who can integrate content knowledge with engineering practices and technical skills from multiple domains simultaneously. Then, the chapter briefly discusses foundational concepts of assessment, including validity, reliability, and fairness, with an emphasis on the latter. Next, the chapter describes SCI-ECD’s layers and decisions associated with its use, providing examples to illustrate its application to the design of engineering competency assessments for culturally and linguistically diverse test-takers. To conclude, the chapter discusses future directions for research based on the SCI-ECD model.

General information on the SEFI@work series around the “International Handbook of Engineering Education Research”:

In 2024 and 2025, the SEFI Special Interest Groups are joining efforts around the “International Handbook of Engineering Education Research”. Each session will focus on one chapter,  giving the floor to the authors of each chapter.  With this series we want to support the growth and maturing of the engineering education field and community in Europe and beyond. The goal of the series is to (1) increase the knowledge around engineering education research, (2) to strengthen the engineering education community feeling, and (3) to give a platform to the authors of the handbook’s chapters to disseminate their work.