ECPP-FIM an assessment tool for evaluating the professional psychomotor skills within the initial teacher training: validity evidences

Abstract

Teachers and students point to the need to have assessment tools capable of assessing the impact of the competency-based approach in higher education, and specifically in the face of an incipient academic and psychomotor professional profile with their own professional competencies. The study seeks to obtain evidences of validity and reliability for the scores of an instrument to assess the professional psychomotor skills in the context of the initial teacher training. Qualitative evidence based on the content and the response process of the instrument (ECCP-FIM) are provided as well as quantitative evidence related to the factorial structure and reliability. For the quantitative validation, the instrument was applied to a sample of 318 students of initial teacher training from 4 universities. The analysis of the internal structure revealed the presence of a simple five-factor solution explaining the 67.4% of the variance and with a very good fit to the theoretical structure: designing the psychomotor sessions, applying the attitude system of the adults, observing and evaluation the children and the session, analysing and reflecting on their own practice, and being in relation with the educational and scientific community. With regards to reliability, the tool has a high internal consistency among the scales and presents evidences regarding temporal stability. Concerning the qualitative evidence, both specialists and students highlighted its relevance and utility. It is concluded that the instrument presents adequate psychometric guarantees to be used during the initial training of future teachers.