A Modular Assessment Framework for Professional Skills Using a Model of Domain Learning Approach

专业技能的发展对于在新的全球经济中取得成功至关重要。同样重要的是评估这些技能在未来STEM劳动力中的存在程度。这个科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）研究和评估项目是宾夕法尼亚州立大学、马里兰大学、佛罗里达大西洋大学和奥本大学的共同努力。一个多学科团队正在开发和测试一套标准化工具，旨在评估四个专业技能领域：道德、团队合作、全球意识和创造性解决问题。这个项目的基础是领域学习模型（MDL），它假定了三个因素（兴趣、知识和战略处理），它们跨越了学习的三个发展阶段（适应、能力和熟练程度）。该项目的设计和实施阶段包括一系列四项实验研究，旨在测试：(1)MDL框架在评估STEM学科、课程水平和教师的专业技能方面的有效性和稳健性；(2)仪器对记录专业技能发展变化的敏感性；(3)利用MDL框架跟踪专业技能发展的可行性；(4)该框架对学生学位学习进程的适应性。该项目将学习的认知和情感维度与技能发展结合起来，最初侧重于工程、商业、信息科学和技术以及创业。

Development of professional skills is essential for success in the new global economy. Equally important is the assessment of the degree to which these skills exist in the future STEM workforce. This Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research and assessment project is a joint effort among Pennsylvania State University, University of Maryland, Florida Atlantic University, and Auburn University. A multi-disciplinary team is developing and testing a set of standardized instruments designed to assess four professional skill areas: Ethics, Teamwork, Global Awareness, and Creative Problem Solving. The basis for this project is the Model of Domain Learning (MDL) that posits three factors (interest, knowledge, and strategic processing) that cross three developmental stages of learning (acclimation, competency, and proficiency). Incorporated into the design and implementation phases of the project is a series of four experimental studies designed to test: (1) the validity and robustness of the MDL framework for assessing professional skills across STEM disciplines, course levels, and instructors; (2) the sensitivity of the instruments to document changes in the development of professional skills; (3) the viability of tracking the development of professional skills using the MDL framework; and (4) the adaptability of the framework with respect to students' progress through their degree programs. The project combines both cognitive and affective dimensions of learning with skill development and is initially focused on engineering, business, information science and technology, and entrepreneurship.