Diagnostic online assessment of basic IT skills in 1st-year undergraduates in the Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford.

• Autores: Vivien Sieber
• Localización: British journal of educational technology, ISSN 0007-1013, Vol. 40, Nº. 2, 2009, págs. 215-226
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Attitude, experience and competence (broadly covered by the European Computer Driving Licence syllabus) in information technology (IT) were assessed in 846 1st-year Medical Sciences Division undergraduates (2003–06) at the start of their first term. Online assessments delivered during induction workshops were presented as an opportunity for self-evaluation and to provide performance-related recommendations for training. Results were consistent over 4 years. There was no difference in attitude between years or programme of study and the majority selected ‘competent to use a range of applications’. Nor were there any differences in competence between all students in any year; however, male Medical Science students performed significantly better than females (2006). Students with a recognised IT qualification also did significantly better than those without. There was a discrepancy between measured skill and individual self-evaluation of competence; in particular, weaker students overestimated their competence. In all years, some students showed a fundamental lack of understanding of basic IT skills. Introducing online diagnostic testing raised the profile of the importance of IT skills to both academic staff and students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]