Handbook home
Assessment and Evaluation in Surgery (MEDS90018)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
Fees | Look up fees |
---|
Assessment and evaluation are critical elements of education. Formative assessments are designed to support learning while summative (high stakes) assessments are used to make judgements about an individual’s success in an educational program. Both types of assessments and their application in medical and surgical education are explored in detail extending knowledge and skills covered in the core subjects.
Evaluation is the process by which programs are judged to have been successful. Effective program evaluation begins at the planning phase of educational activities. In this subject participants will learn key skills in program evaluation adopting a traditional approach addressing program structure, process and outcomes as well as exploring links between evaluation, decision-making and action and reporting evaluation findings;. Like assessment above, this evaluation topic builds on earlier knowledge and skills of program evaluation from the core subjects.
Although inextricable linked, assessment and evaluation have different functions.
This subject provides the basis for detailed studies on these two critical components of curricula.
The overall aims of the subject are:
- To review the nature and purpose of assessments in professional education
- To explore challenges associated with assessments in professional education
- To explore the range of program evaluation methodologies
Intended learning outcomes
After completing the subject participants should be able to:
- Describe the role of assessment in professional development
- Identify characteristics of robust assessments
- Discuss assessment approaches for different domains (e.g. knowledge, attitude, skills)
- Describe features of a range of written assessments (e.g. multiple choice questions - single best answer, extended modified; essays)
- Describe features of a range of skill based assessments (e.g. OSCEs, OSATS, DOPS)
- Describe features of a range of professional practice assessments (e.g. long cases, short cases, portfolios)
- Describe features of a range of workplace based assessments (e.g. case based discussion, mini clinical examination, direct observation of procedural skills, multi source feedback)
- Describe the concept of standard setting
- Discuss challenges associated with implementing summative assessments including legal issues involved with recording under performance
- Describe key features of program evaluation
- Design an evaluation strategy for a surgical training program
Generic skills
- Competently use evaluation methodologies to continuously improve curricula and teaching
- Competently develop assessment strategies that accurately measure student learning and understanding
- Study skills related to a range of educational methods
- Presentation skills
- Academic reading skills
- Academic writing
- Applying theory to practice
- Reference manager skills
- Learn independently
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into one of the following:
- GC-SURGED Graduate Certificate in Surgical Education
- GD-SURGED Graduate Diploma in Surgical Education
- MC-SURGED Master of Surgical Education
AND
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MEDS90006 | Context of Surgical Education | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
MEDS90007 | Learning & Teaching in Surgical Practice | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
MEDS90008 | Educational Theory for Surgical Training | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
MEDS90009 | Curriculum Design in Surgical Education | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Essay. This assessment requires students to develop an evaluation strategy for a surgical education program. Students are expected to draw on educational theory to support their choice of evaluation strategy.
| Mid semester | 50% |
Essay. In this essay, students are expected to explore in detail a topic on assessment – e.g. workplace based assessment, examining feasibility, strengths and weaknesses.
| End of semester | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Online test. The aim of this online assessment is to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an online test and experience immediate computer generated feedback. The content of the test is assessment theory. This provides students with an opportunity to consider both content and one method of assessment. | Early in the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
170 hours per 12.5 credit point subject
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Owen, J., Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches. Third Edition ed. 2006, Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Reading Pack Materials will be provided
- Subject notes
IT requirements:
Participants will require access to the internet with a minimum connection speed of 256Kbps to access course materials and to participate in on-line discussions and presentations forums. Faster connection speeds are preferred. Participants will also need to verify that their internet connection is configured to allow them to view streamed audio and video files. Test files will be made available for students to test their connections.
Participants are expected to have a headset and microphone connected to their computer for participation in on-line activities.
Participants will be expected to have access to the following Microsoft Office products to fully participate:
- MS Word
- MS Powerpoint
All online applications will be web-based and no special software is required.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Surgical Education Course Master of Surgical Education - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 12 November 2022