The Development of the Credit Matrix

Staffing

S. Gillis (with A. Bateman, P. Noonan and M. White)

Summary

The Victorian Qualifications Authority commissioned a collaborative research team, representing the University of Melbourne, The University of Ballarat and Peter Noonan Consulting, to develop a credit matrix model. The Victorian Qualifications Authority (VQA) developed a model for recognising the complexity of learning units delivered in senior secondary, Vocational Education and Training and Higher Education sectors within Victoria. The approach taken during the construction of the model was based on a combination of both theoretical and psychometric approaches to scale development. The theoretical approach was used to initially identify a set of five domains (Application, Autonomy, Accountability, Problem Solving and Knowledge) that could be used to recognise varying levels of unit complexity. Each domain was operationalised into a variable using indicators identified in international models as well as the relevant literature, and panelled on representatives within each of the educational sectors. The resultant Complexity Measures were then empirically tested and validated through survey techniques in which 254 participants were requested to complete a questionnaire on a unit of learning in which they delivered as part of their routine teaching/training. The data collected demonstrated the validity, accuracy and internal consistency of each Complexity Measure. The results also showed that the correlations among the five measures were significant, yet moderately positive, thus having direct implications for the factor structure that should underpin the Complexity Model. Two variations of the model were produced from this initial investigation: a six level structure and an eight level structure, each underpinned by the five domains: Application, Autonomy, Accountability, Problem Solving and Knowledge (refer to Gillis, Bateman, Noonan & Keating, 2004 for further information).

Funding

Victorian Qualifications Authority

Publications

Gillis, S., & Bateman, A. (2005). The Development of a Framework for Assessing Complexity of Units of Learning Across Schools, VET and Higher Education. Refereed paper presented at the AVETRA Conference, Brisbane , April 13-15.

Bateman, A., Gillis, S., Noonan, P., & Keating, J. (2004). Victorian Qualifications Authority Principles, Definitions and Guidelines for Applying the Credit Matrix. Victorian Qualifications Authority: Melbourne .

Gillis, S., & Bateman, A. (2004). The development of a model for recognising complexity of units of learning across Schools, VET and Higher Education Sectors. Paper presented at the AARE Conference, Melbourne , December.

Noonan, P., Bateman, A., Gillis, S., & Keating, J. (2004). Victorian Qualifications Authority Credit Matrix Draft Model Final Report Volume 1, Victorian Qualifications Authority: Melbourne. http://www.vqa.vic.gov.au/vqa/pdfs/CMdrftmodelVOL1.pdf

Gillis, S., Bateman, A., Noonan, P., & Keating, J. (2004). Victorian Qualifications Authority Credit Matrix Model Final Report Volume 2: Complexity Model Survey Process and Outcomes. Victorian Qualifications Authority, Melbourne. http://www.vqa.vic.gov.au/vqa/pdfs/CMdrftmodelVOL_2.pdf