Assessment

Assessments are a vital and invaluable way to ascertain if the students are progressing along the path needed to succeed in a program.   Assessment not only establishes a level of knowledge for the students to achieve, they also allow the instructors to understand the level of understanding that the students have obtained throughout the curriculum.  The assessments also figure into the bigger picture of board exams and  accreditation standards.   In the entry level dental hygiene program there are a wide variety of ways to access a students progress.  The first thing to get in order is a complete understanding of all of the necessary information, didactic and clinical skills that are essential to be able to complete all of the standardized exams in order to graduate and get licensed to be a practicing dental hygienist.

Planning is an essential part of assuring that students will receive all the information and be proficient enough to pass not only the clinical portion of the board exams, but the national board exam as well.  There are also other areas that need to be addressed such as the CODA accreditation standards as well as utilizing critical thinking skills that will carry them throughout their dental hygiene career.

So, to answer the question, “What is the best types of assessments for an entry level dental hygiene program?”, I would have to say that this is a complex answer, and that every assessment can be used at the appropriate time for the appropriate objective.  The best types of assessments, are individual and are on a case by case decision, and will be necessary to meet the objectives that are set up for each individual class.  These class objectives tie into the overall program objectives which help to fulfill the objectives for all of the formal exams.  All things put together culminate in a formula that will satisfy the CODA accreditation objectives.   It is an intricate balance that needs to be well orchestrated.

There are a wide variety of assessments that will help the students to meet the objectives that are established for each course, the overall program, board exams, and the accreditation standards.  The overall objective of assessments, according to the GALO book, “The what of assessment is defined by the instructional objectives and the course content.  The how is directed by the test plan, or blue print.”  Proper planning and alignment of objectives and assessments are key to helping the students be successful in school and in their careers.

I think that true-false, multiple choice and short answer are great for assessing a wide array of knowledge.  Multiple choice can be used variety of topics, but as I have quickly figured out, they are challenging to put  together, yet- easier to grade.  Clinically, there needs to be specific assessments for establishing the students’ proficiency with instruments, patient assessment and evaluation as well as the demeanor an level of professionalism that they display in the clinic setting.  I think it might be a good idea to incorporate self-assessment and peer evaluation to help the students understand things from a different perspective.

The key to deciding which assessment is used, is to make sure the assessment and the objective are in sync with each other.  There needs to be strategic planning and evaluation of curriculums and classes to assure that the assessment assigned to each objective makes sense and that the assessment is evaluating exactly what you want it to evaluate.  This is a process that takes time, commitment and above all organization and is a summative teamwork process.

4 thoughts on “Assessment

  1. It’s true that assessments should be applied on a case-by-case basis for certain objectives, that’s why so many different types exist. I like your inclusion of self-assessment and peer evaluation. I forgot to include these in my post and both are very important to assess students. They also promote the significant process of self-assessment periodically throughout the career and life-long learning.

  2. ” I would have to say that this is a complex answer, and that every assessment can be used at the appropriate time for the appropriate objective. The best types of assessments, are individual and are on a case by case decision, and will be necessary to meet the objectives that are set up for each individual class.”– This statement stuck out to me because it is so true. depending on the objective is how we should chose the appropriate or best assessment tool. Classes are different levels so assessments should be based on the level of the course and to help meet the objectives!

  3. Heather this is your best post yet! You have clearly understood the complexities of assessment and how it is a multi-factoral process. As the objectives of each course are different, different assessments must be used. And also keeping in mind the multiple choice style board exams this is an important assessment tool also. You are right on in your evaluation of assessment in dental hygiene.

  4. Heather, I think we all thought this was a pretty complex question to answer. With so many assessments to choose from, it can be hard to just pick one or even a couple assessments that would work best for an undergraduate dental hygiene course. I think you did a great job relating the assessments to course and program objectives. This is one of the most important parts of picking the correct assessments for a dental hygiene course.

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