“New Format, Uncertainty, Nervousness” – A Performance Exam in Professional Teaching Studies for Vocational Schools from the Perspective of Students and Examiners

Abstract

Social and digital transformation processes are influencing the culture of teaching and learning at colleges and universities. This article explicitly focusses on the changing exam culture. As part of the P:INK LBS project (“Examinations: innovative and competence-oriented in teacher education programs for vocational schools”), a performance test was developed and evaluated in teacher training in the vocational fields of health sciences, cosmetology, and nursing science based on examination formats from medicine and the health professions (e.g. OSCE). The article begins by explaining the structure of the project and the associated perfor-mance exam against the background of competence orientation in vocational train-ing and the concept of constructive alignment. The evaluation results from the students and examiners reflect great interest in innovative examinations and motivation for the new exam format. Challenges in preparation and organization are also highlighted. Finally, the results are discussed and reflected on, considering relevant literature and the students’ own project experience.