What is evidence?
If assessment still sounds interesting, now might be a good time to check out two important documents. You don't have to understand all the details in the documents. However, viewing them may be useful before you read the following information about evidence.
The documents are:
Types of evidence
Evidence is the key to assessment. As the assessee, you need to present evidence that shows how your skills match performance criteria in a unit of competency. Some assessees assemble their evidence in an evidence portfolio.
There are many types of evidence and some are described below. Whatever type of evidence you use, it must relate to the units of competency in which you are seeking assessment.
Demonstration
You can demonstrate your skills in the workplace or in a situation that shows how you would go about things in the workplace. Your assessor will observe and discuss your demonstration with you.
Carmen's story shows how an assessee used a demonstration as evidence in a children's services assessment.
Documents
You can present many kinds of document as evidence of your skills. Examples include:
- documents about you, your skills and achievements e.g. referee reports, supervisor reports, testimonials, letters of commendation from parents or others you have worked with
- reports, correspondence, memos, policies or other documents that you have written or contributed to
- copies of previous qualifications, training courses or seminars attended
- workplace documents that you have created.
Sylvia's story shows how an assessee used documents as evidence in a children's services assessment.
Visual evidence
Photos and videos may be used as evidence. They can include previous photos or videos of you in work situations, or working in ways that relate to workplace requirements. It is also possible to create a photographic or visual record specifically to use in assessment. Some assessees use computers to present visual evidence.
Jarryd's story shows how an assessee used video evidence in a children's services assessment.
Oral evidence
Many assessments include discussions and/or question and answer sessions. The assessee can talk about their skills or how they would undertake particular tasks. If you wish, you can ask the assessor to contact people such as co-workers or former employers and they can give oral evidence as part of the assessment process.
Martha's story shows how an assessee used oral evidence in a children's services assessment.
Written test
Written tests may be used in an assessment process. For example, the assessor may ask you to respond to a short answer test that relates to particular skills. Written tests may not be appropriate where the assessee's first language is other than English or where literacy skills are not required for the competency being assessed.
Sylvia's story shows how an assessee completed a written test in a children's services assessment.
Product or result of your skills
This is the end product of your work, presented as evidence of your skills. It could, for example, be something that has been produced by children working in an activity you have managed, or something you have created for use in the workplace. It might be presented in a visual, oral, written or other format.
Martha's story shows how an assessee used a product of their skills as evidence in a children's services assessment.
Role play
This involves acting out or demonstrating your skills in a scenario based on a real situation. A role play might involve extensive preparation including the roles of other people, or it might be used in an oral evidence situation.
Jarryd's story shows how an assessee used a role play as evidence in a children's services assessment.
Simulation
Simulation differs from role play. It involves simulating a real-life situation so that you can demonstrate your skills. Simulations are often used to demonstrate skills used in emergency or high-risk situations, such as survival or life-saving skills. Simulations tend to involve several people, often using equipment.
Evidence portfolio
Many assessees develop an evidence portfolio. As its name suggests, the evidence portfolio is a way of gathering written and other materials that relate to the competencies for which you are being assessed. Materials in an evidence portfolio may include all types of written and visual evidence discussed above. A table of contents can be very useful to an assessor who is checking your evidence portfolio.
Sylvia's story shows how an assessee used an evidence portfolio in a children's services assessment.
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