Title: A computer-based assessment tool for functional analysis tasks: first step to a computer-based training system

Authors: Victor J. Rubio, Luis F. Garcia, Jose Santacreu

Addresses: Dpto. Psicologia Biologica y de la Salud, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain. Dpto. Psicologia Biologica y de la Salud, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain. Dpto. Psicologia Biologica y de la Salud, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: The present paper attempts to present a computer-based assessment tool in order to assess the performance of learners (psychology students) in a functional analysis task of clinical cases. Previous work has pointed to systematic biases of learners in these types of tasks. This contribution presents a computer tool designed to help students overcome these biases and shows the results of a sample of students who used it. It can be concluded that the use of this tool offers friendliness of training as well as immediate feedback after performance resulting in an enhanced performance. This tool is presented as an example of the benefits of continuous assessment and feedback for learning. Hopefully further research will make it feasible to design a computer-based system to train students in clinical functional analysis.

Keywords: computer-based assessment; functional analysis; behavioural assessment; continuous assessment; computer-based training system.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2002.000423

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2002 Vol.12 No.1/2/3/4, pp.123-134

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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