Browsing by Author "Tillander, Tessy"

The purpose of this study is to analyse learning assessment of practical action skills goals in grades 7-9 in home economics education done by teachers. The study is based on theoretical home economics education goals and learning assessments of it. Home economics education is defined in national core curriculum, which includes specific goals based on the subject and general goals. Goals of practical action skills is one of the key categories in home economics education. Practical actions are, for example, skills to work with hands and skills to work safely. Assessment of learning as a term includes assessment of a pupil, which concerns the pupil, the teacher, and the school. Assessment of home economics education has been studied earlier by qualitative methods and it has been mostly based on formative assessments. This study focuses on analysing assessment of practical action skills goals by teachers. This study was done using qualitative methods. The data for the study was gathered during the spring of 2022. The data consists of eight interviews of home economics teachers. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. The transcribed data was analysed by theory-guided qualitative content methods. Results of this study indicate that the assessment of practical action skills goals of home economics is done by both teachers and pupils. Assessment happens constantly in every lesson. The aim of the assessment is skills, which are defined in the national core curriculum. The most used assessment methods include observing, which is supplemented with self and peer assessments, assessment discussions and practical tests. How the assessment data was documented was the most varied. Some of the teachers studied write down short memos, but the assessment is done mostly based on memory. Difficulties in assessment, for example, a lack of time and interpretation of curriculum makes the assessment harder. The conclusion of this study is that there should be more research on assessment of home economics education. There could be follow-up studies of how teachers could be supported and educated more so that the assessment would be more systematical and fluent. Home economics education has an important societal impact which creates the basis for education and development of education of teachers.