Competence formation objective assessment as the method to control student's independent work

Abstract

This study describes the method to control independent work of students using the system of objective assessment of professional competence formation. Writing of parts of the Graduation Qualification Thesis (GQT) was considered as an independent student activity under the conditions of model expariment. As an experimental result the following parameters of student's activity were assessed: the level of professional competence (PC-2) ("knowledge", "skills" and "proficiency"), labor expenditures to prepare the GQT and assessment of cognitive functions (working memory, long-term memory and volitional attention). Analysis of experimental data showed that students demonstrated high level of "knowledge" and medium levels of "skills" and "proficiency" with respect to the professional competence (PC-2). Difference in the levels of "skills" and "proficiency" are believed to be due to the different styles of work fulfillment (aimed and non-aimed activity). Fulfillment of simple tasks involves mostly the mechanisms of the long-term memory, whereas increase in the task complexity leads to active involvement of the working memory mechanisms.