CompuServe Messages

<<In any case as for your question of the person with the certificate and no experience and vice versa, hardly a comparative sample I should think. Depending on the job opening, pay scale and other conditions it would be an easy decision I think. The point of the exam is to provide a DIAGNOSTIC tool, more than ANY other attribute.>> I totally agree with your statement that the exam is a DIAGNOSTIC tool… specifically focused on one CAD package (i.e., AutoCAD). To me it should be only used as a diagnostic tool in weeding out individuals who don't have the knowledge of AutoCAD that you are testing for. But… what happens to those who fail! Does that mean they don't have the skills? Look at all the research that has gone into testing over the last several decades, especially IQ, SAT and ACT type tests. Intelligent and skilled individuals may not do well on tests for numberous reason, that doesn't mean that they are less intelligent or skilled. They may have problems in processing the questions (i.e., wording), or the thought of testing or being tested puts the individual under due stress and pressure. The result is poor scores and results. Computerize the process, and increase the stress levels in some individuals. What will the result be? Make the questions too specific or too difficult, then guess what. . . failure, low scores, etc. << All of this is also aimed at preparation for the MODULAR approach to learning, wherein the student would need to know what they do and do not know before they can choose the module they need.>> Hey . . . I am a big advocate of the MODULAR approach to learning, especially in the development of training. You should know that! However, we can compartmentalize knowledge into too many and too small packets. The map that you can be too hard to navigate if we're not careful. That's part of what I am going to talk about at AU! <<We think not, and have spent a lot of time getting the AutoCAD exams to where they are now and more time on the National Skill Stds to add to this. >> Gee Wayne . . . I got a lot of "right angle" questions that I want to bounce off you concerning the National Skill Stds. That's another e-mail. How about summarizing it for the others out on the forum? I'm looking at a copy of it RIGHT now ….