Making to measure? Reconsidering assessment in professional continuing education

Drawing on studies of teachers, accountants and pharmacists conducted in Canada, this essay examines models for assessing professional learning that currently enjoy widespread use in continuing education. These models include professional growth plans, self-administered tests, and learning logs, and they are often used for regulatory as well as developmental purposes by professional associations. The essay argues what others have critiqued about such self-assessment models: that their assumptions about learning are problematic and limiting in a number of respects, privileging human consciousness and intention, and literally ‘making’ a particular professional subject that is atomised and conservative. The essay goes on to suggest alternative perspectives that are receiving increasing attention in theorising work-related learning and that may offer fruitful questions for re-considering the nature of professional learning and its assessment. Three perspectives in particular are outlined, all of which shift the focus from the learning subject to practice as material, emergent and systemic: complexity theory, actor-network theory and cultural-historical activity theory. The discussion concludes with possible approaches to assessment of professional practice suggested by these perspectives

Farm Labor Management: Home Study Course

A.E. Ext. 82-36The course consists of five lessons and assignments to be done by farmers at home. The Department of Agricultural Economics will make a small charge for the set of five lessons to cover editorial and printing costs. Farmers employing hired labor will probably be interested in this course. County Extension Agents can handle the materials as they choose. One way would be to charge a fee to cover material and mailing costs. Lessons could be mailed at 10 day to two week intervals. The solution to the assignment for the previous lesson could be included with each mailing, Farmers should be encouraged to return completed assignments for correction, A review and discussion meeting for those who enroll might be held at the end of the course