Self-Assessment of Competencies by Bachelor Students in Computer Science

Competency achievements in a Computer Science Bachelor are studied using self-assessment by graduating students at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University. Changes across the two ‘pandemic’ years 2020 and 2021 with respect to subsidiary, satisfaction and competencies are analysed. One goal was to identify which competencies may have suffered due to the different number of online semesters. The data shows very few significant differences by type of competencies. Larger differences may be due to a change in lecturer. Difference in satisfaction in some subsidiaries is found. Students from the 2021 group feel that their grades reflect their actual knowledge less than the 2020 group. The methodology presented here provides a valid tool for long-term quality assessment based on student feedback. There are limitations based on the data elicitation. Students are not required to take the survey. Self-assessment is not considered to be sufficient for a validation of achieved competencies. However, it reflects satisfaction and perceived quality. Autovalutazione delle competenze da parte degli studenti di laurea in informatica. I risultati di apprendimento in un Corso di Laurea di primo livello di informatica sono analizzati nel presente contributo utilizzando l’autovalutazione degli studenti laureati all’Università della Cooperative State University del Baden-Württemberg (Germania). Vengono analizzati i cambiamenti nella progressione di competenze acquisite nei due anni di pandemia (2020 e 2021) in ordine a sede universitaria, livello di soddisfazione e risultati di apprendimento. Un obiettivo era quello di identificare le competenze maggiormente influenzate dall’utilizzo della didattica a distanza. I dati mostrano scarse differenze in ordine al tipo di competenze acquisite. Le differenze più significative sono correlate al cambio di docente. In alcune sedi si rilevano differenze nella soddisfazione degli studenti. Gli studenti del cluster 2021 ritengono che la loro valutazione rifletta le loro conoscenze realmente acquisite, a differenza del cluster di studenti del 2020. La metodologia illustrata nel presente contributo fa riferimento ad uno strumento utile per la valutazione della qualità degli apprendimenti basata sul feedback degli studenti. Le limitazioni connesse allo studio riguardano le modalità di rilevazione dei dati. Gli studenti non sono tenuti a partecipare allo studio. L’autovalutazione non è sufficiente per convalidare le competenze acquisite, consente però di rilevare la soddisfazione e la qualità percepita dagli studenti.

Impact of COVID-19 on Endoscopy Training: Perspectives from a Global Survey of Program Directors and Endoscopy Trainers

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the training of medical trainees internationally. The aim of this study was to assess the global impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy training from the perspective of endoscopy trainers and to identify strategies implemented to mitigate the impact on trainee education.Methods: Teaching faculty of gastroenterology (GI) training programs globally were invited to complete a 36-question web-based survey to report the characteristics of their training programs and the impact of COVID-19 on various aspects of endoscopy training, including what factors decisions were based on.Results: The survey response rate was 52.6% (305 out of 580 individuals); 92.8% reported a negative impact on endoscopy training, with suspension of elective procedures (77.1%) being the most detrimental factor. Geographic variations were noted, with European programs reporting the lowest percentage of trainee participation in procedures. A higher proportion of trainees in the Americas were allowed to continue performing procedures, and trainers from the Americas reported receiving the greatest support for endoscopy teaching.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on GI endoscopy training internationally, as reported by endoscopy trainers. Focus-optimizing endoscopy training and assessment of competencies are necessary to ensure adequate endoscopy training.

Dynamical Continuous Discrete Assessment of Competencies Achievement: An Approach to Continuous Assessment

Learning is a non-deterministic complex dynamical system where students transform inputs (classes, assignments, personal work, gamification activities, etc.) into outcomes (acquired knowledge, skills, and competencies). In the process, students generate outputs in a variety of ways (exams, tests, portfolios, etc.). The result of these outputs is a grade aimed at measuring the (level of) competencies achieved by each student. We revisit the relevance of continuous assessment to obtain this grading. We simultaneously investigate the generated outputs in different moments as modifiers of the system itself, since they may reveal a variation of the level of competencies achievement previously assessed. This is a novelty in the literature, and a cornerstone of our methodology. This process is called a Dynamical Continuous Discrete assessment, which is a form of blended assessment that may be used under traditional or blended learning environments. This article provides an 11-year perspective of applying this Dynamical Continuous Discrete assessment in a Mathematics class for aerospace engineering students, as well as the students’ perception of continuous assessments.

Teaching Bulgarian as a Foreign Language in Electronic Environment

The article presents the new form of online teaching of Bulgarian as foreign language, which has become established in last year. Attention is focused on the opportunities for using a specialized educational online platform and digital learning resources. They are considered the elements the elements of the learning process, that can be maintained online - synchronous teaching, assignment of tasks for training and control, assessment of competencies. Attention is paid to the roles of the teacher and students to achieve an effective distance learning process.

Research Professors’ Self-Assessment of Competencies

Research professors develop scientific products that impact and benefit society, but their competencies in doing so are rarely evaluated. Therefore, by employing a mixed two-stage sequential design, this study developed a self-assessment model of research professors’ competencies with four domains, seven competencies, and 30 competency elements. Next, we conducted descriptive statistical analysis of those elements. In the first year, 320 respondents rated themselves on four levels: initial, basic, autonomous, and consolidated. In the assessment model’s second year, we compared 30 respondents’ results with those of their initial self-assessment. The main developmental challenge was Originality and Innovation, which remained at the initial level. Both Training of Researchers and Transformation of Society were at the basic level, and Digital Competency was at the autonomous level. Both Teaching Competence and Ethics and Citizenship attained the consolidated level. This information helps establish priorities for accelerating researchers’ training and the quality of their research.

Research Professors’ Self-assessment of Competencies

Research professors develop scientific products that impact and benefit society, but their competencies in doing so are rarely evaluated. Therefore, employing a mixed two-stage sequential design, this study developed a self-assessment model of research professors’ competencies with four domains, seven competencies, and 30 competency elements. Next, we conducted descriptive statistical analysis of those elements. In the first year, 320 respondents rated themselves on four levels: initial, basic, autonomous, and consolidated. In the assessment model’s second year, we compared 30 respondents’ results with those of their initial self-assessment. The main developmental challenge was Originality and Innovation, which remained at the initial level. Both Training of Researchers and Transformation of Society were at the basic level, and Digital Competency was at the autonomous level. Both Teaching Competence and Ethics and Citizenship attained the consolidated level. This information helps establish priorities for accelerating researchers’ training and the quality of their research.