SYLLABUS for SOSC 210

TESTS AND MEASUREMENTS IN CAREER GUIDANCE

 

Class Meets: MWF 1:00-1:50PM,      MLIB 027 & Online via Horizon Live

 


Instructor: Gwen Sheldon      

Mail Address: Social Science Program, CSU Chico, Chico, CA 95929-0450

Office Hrs: MW: 2-3PM; W,F: 11AM-12; Th: 1-2      

Office: Butte 707F

Office Phone: 898-5204                      

E-mail: gsheldon@csuchico.edu           

FAX: 898-5986

On line course link: http://online.csuchico.edu

 


Course Description:

To develop an understanding of the principles, methods & tools of assessment for use in vocational guidance. Students will take, administer, score & interpret a variety of career guidance tools. Course is 1 of 3 that make up the curriculum for the Career Development Facilitator Certification, granted by the NCDA

 


Course Objectives. At the end of the course, students will:

  1. Understand how to develop an assessment program as part of a comprehensive guidance system.
  2. Know proper procedures for test selection, administration, scoring & interpretation.
  3. Understand statistics sufficiently to evaluate tests and assessments for use in career guidance.
  4. Use statistics correctly in the interpretation of test scores.
  5. Know and apply ethical standards for testing and assessment.
  6. Understand a variety of tests developed for use in vocational guidance including those measuring vocational maturity, personality, values, interests, aptitude and ability
  7. Be aware of assessment legislation, issues and practices relevant to specific populations.
  8. Be able to use computerized assessment and information delivery systems.

 


Required Course Materials available through AS Bookstore

Text: Using Assessment Results for Career Development by Vernon Zunker (5th edition)

One blank VHS videotape

Occasional use of telephone for class activity

*Note-There is a $25 class fee covering the cost of 7 assessments distributed in class.

 


Course Requirements            Approximate % of Final Grade & Points

4 quizes                                                            35%     140 points

4 Written Interpretations                                   25%     100 points       

Test Critique - Paper & Oral Presentation         15%     60 points

One video of a test interpretation                       15%     60 points

In-class or on-line activities                               10%     40 points

Test Critique - Each student will critique a test/assessment tool. Requests for test topics will be taken the first week and allocated on a first come-first served basis. The written paper will be technical reflecting library research done on the test (as specified in instructions to come). It will include evaluation of the test based upon information given in technical manuals and written reviews. Oral presentations will be a 10-15 minute presentation of the unique factors of the assessment and an example of the test & results, presented when that classification of tests is discussed in lecture. Class discussion will follow.  

Video Assignment - You will produce a video of you interpreting a career test/assessment to a client. A written critique will include a case description (client, test selection rationale and critique of the interpretation. Content, not production quality, is the focus. Video will be graded upon use of proper case analysis, interpretation methods, ethics and critique.

In class activities include such as administration of a test, scoring & interpretation of test scores. (Students alone at sites will link by telephone or chat room to other students.)

Portfolio segment for this class will include 1) the written Test Critique & 2) the Video.

Computer Internet access is needed for WebCT supplements to the class. On-campus students may use computers in the library. Go to http://online.csuchico.edu/ & follow the link to create your WebCT Login, then to Course Listing, to Social Science, then SOSC 210.

 

Being the first time that this course has been taught online, there will be some experimentation with methods of accomplishing some of the normal class activities. Changes may be made during the course of the class, to accommodate for what seems to work best.

 


Tentative Course Schedule -May change depending on student reports

Date

Topic of lecture, discussion

Read/do before class

Jan 22

Introduction to class and WebCT

Mail Info & Picture

Jan 24

Historical Perspective of Career Assessment

Z - Ch 1

Jan 26

Standards for Testing

 

Jan 29

Designing an Assessment Program

Z - Ch 2

Jan 31

Test Selection, Evaluation & Administration

 

Feb 2

Reference Materials in test evaluation

 

Feb 5

Reliability (Types & Correlation Coefficients)

Tyler p. 25-37

Feb 7

Reliability (Norms)

Tyler p.37-42

Feb 9

Validity

Tyler p.28-32

Feb 12

Statistics / Quiz Review Discussions

 

Feb 14

Quiz 1

 

Feb 16

Standard Error of Measurement & SE of Differences

Z - Ch 3, Tyler p. 36-40

Feb 19

Scale of score reporting - Test Administration demos

 

Feb 21

Test Administration Activity

 

Feb 23

Test Interpretation - Preparation & Techniques

 

Feb 26

Career Status Tests-Bring My Vocational Situation completed

Z - Ch 9

Feb 28

Career Status Tests- Bring BESI completed

 

Mar 2

Interest Inventories - Bring COPS completed

Z - Ch 6 & page 8-9

Mar 5

Strong Interest Inventory- Bring your Strong Interpretation

Exchange SII results w/partner

Mar 7

Strong Interest Inventory- Bring your Strong Interpretation

 

Mar 9

Practice Strong Interpretation in class

 

Mar 12

Exam Review

 

Mar 14

Other Interest Inventories - Reports

 

Mar 16

Quiz 2 & Strong II written interpretation

 

Mar 26

Personality Inventories

Z - Ch 7

Mar 28

MBTI - Bring your completed & scored MBTI with type analysis

Trade MBTI type & scores

Mar 30

MBTI Interpretation practice

Review MBTI notes

Apr 2

Combining Measures

Z-Ch 10, Discussion: Personality questions

Apr 4

Values Inventories - Bring completed COPES

Z- Ch 8

Apr 6

Reports - Personality & Values

 

Apr 9

 

 Z- Ch 4, Trade CAPS results

Apr 11

Ability & Aptitude Inventories-Bring completed CAPS

COPES written interpretation

Apr 13

Practice CAPS Interpretation

 

Apr 18

Achievement Tests - Reports

 Z- Ch 5

Apr 20

Reports - Sherri

 CAPS written interpretation

Apr 23

Quiz 3 & MBTI written Interpretation

 

Apr 25

Integrated Batteries - Bring COPS/COPES/CAPS-Case study

Z-Ch 10

Apr 27

Practice COPS Interpretation

COPS written interpretation

Apr 30

ASVAB

- Mail Video

May 2

Disabled/disadvantaged client assessment

 Z- Ch 11

May 4

Card Sorts

Z-Ch 12

May 7

Computerized Career Information Delivery Systems

 Z-Ch 13

May 9

bring completed Dimensions of Lifestyle Orientation

Z-Ch 14, Appendix C

May 11

Cultural & Gender Bias & Ethics Review

 Appendix B

May 16

Quiz 4

 

Z= Text by Zunker