Print version Recommend this page Press release
39/ 2008
Bonn, 17.09.2008
"Action-oriented examinations - but how?" - BIBB designs"toolkit" for practical vocational training
In order to support the work of honorary examining and task-setting committees, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has designed a "toolkit" to facilitate the preparation of action-oriented problems, i.e. problems oriented on real work processes in occupational practice, for the final exam. The "toolkit", a web application, consists of a catalogue of criteria for assessing different aspects of action orientation, practice-related model assignments and a discussion forum for experts. "This 'toolkit' provides all those involved in testing and preparing test assignments with concrete tools for making the final examinations even more professional and more practice-related", said BIBB president Manfred Kremer this Wednesday in Bonn at the opening of the symposium on "Action-oriented examination assignments - but how?".
Young people should already practice a qualified vocational activity and learn to plan, carry out and monitor commissions during their training, They should demonstrate this vocational decision-making competence as realistically as possible during their final examination. "High-quality action-oriented examinations", says Manfred Kremer, "are therefore an important element in guaranteeing the quality of training". The BIBB discussed and appraised the feasibility, manageability and comprehensibility of the "toolbox" in cooperation with members of examining boards, chambers and social partners.
Manfred Kremer stressed that "the findings from the evaluation of the 'toolbox', initially developed for the commercial occupations only, can be transferred to other occupations as well, for example in the trades and technical occupations or in the field of media, and can be generalised". The BIBB will conduct further research work in this regard. The "toolbox" contributes to the consolidation of the value of the final examination as a test of the quality of training in Germany. "The better this succeeds, the better are young people's chances when they become employed and thus their chances of economic and social participation", the BIBB president said. Young people, he said, expect good, practice-related training, and the economy needs well-trained skilled workers.
The BIBB symposium in Bonn was attended by about 100 experts from vocational education and training practice and from examination committees who had come to get acquainted with the "toolbox" designed by the BIBB. The aim is to present the "toolbox" to a wider specialised public and to create a network of experts in which a discussion can be carried on about the formulation of action-oriented examination assignments.
The results of the symposium will be documented soon on the BIBB website and access to the "toolbox" will be activated at www.bibb.de/werkzeugkasten .
Substantive information can be obtained from
Rainer Brötz; Phone: 0228 / 107-2421; E-mail: broetz@bibb.de
Henrik Schwarz; Phone: 0228 / 107-2426; E-mail: schwarz@bibb.de
