The Crux of the Matter - Training Queensland - Queensland ...

The following table can be used to determine the best mechanism for your context.
Assessment tool Advantages Disadvantages
Screening test
Self-identification and
education and training
background checklist
Can be administered to a whole group, and
therefore is efficient.
Does not ‘single out’ anybody.
Can be administered to a whole group, and
therefore is efficient.
Can be administered quickly.
When adults respond honestly, their
responses are usually consistent with their
skills.
It is difficult to capture the
range of LLN information that is
required when using a written
test.
On-the-job performance can
be very different from ‘test
performance’.
Some adults are not comfortable
in a test environment, and will
not perform at the level of their
potential.
Learners may be reluctant to
be honest for fear of not being
eligible for training.
Informal interview in
which the potential
learner is asked a range
of questions, and given
a few tasks to perform
The interview can be focused on the
learner.
If the learner indicates the level at which
they perceive their skills to be, the teacher
is able to choose further questions and
tasks that are pitched at the right level.
The teacher can gather a range of
information about the background,
motivation and skills of the learner.
This is time consuming.
Some potential learners may
not perform well in individual
interviews.
A combination of the
above
A combination provides the teacher /
trainer with optimum opportunities for
identifying the skills of the learner,.
For example:
• an indicator tool which includes a selfidentification
checklist to give general
information
• an interview for those who are indicated
to be ‘at risk’ in the initial stage.
67