ERIC Number: EJ1226554
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Nov
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1469-7874
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Measuring Intangible Outcomes Can Be Problematic: The Challenge of Assessing Learning during International Short-Term Study Experiences
Cushing, Debra Flanders; Pennings, Mark; Willox, Dino; Gomez, Rafael; Dyson, Clare; Coombs, Courtney
Active Learning in Higher Education, v20 n3 p203-217 Nov 2019
Short-term international study experiences, or study tours, aim to increase students' global awareness, educate and empower them to be productive global citizens, and contribute to their future employability. Learning outcomes from study tours often include intangible personal characteristics or soft skills, as opposed to specific disciplinary skills and knowledge, and yet, these are not easily identified. Using an iterative Delphi process, this study aimed to understand the pedagogical experience of tour leaders (experts) and assist in future development of effective assessment. Findings include four key areas of agreement among the experts: (1) both discipline-based knowledge and the acquisition of intangible personal characteristics are important learning outcomes and are considered to be almost equally important, (2) assessment almost always occurs on tour, (3) formative assessment for learning is predominantly used (rather than learning for summative assessment to test the learning), and (4) facilitated reflection is an important way to encourage learning during a study tour. Yet, the findings also reveal uncertainty about assessing outcomes that include intangible personal characteristics and soft skills. The article concludes with pedagogical implications and recommendations for future research.
Descriptors: Study Abroad, Program Length, Outcomes of Education, Intellectual Disciplines, Student Development, Formative Evaluation, Reflection, Education Work Relationship, Employment Potential, Individual Characteristics, Expertise, Evaluation Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A