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The Italian Disciplinary section of Test of Competences (TECO-D) project is an important longitudinal study used to analyze learning outcomes of ungraded students and to measure quality of the educational process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the TECO-D in students enrolled in the Bachelor's Degree in Pediatric Nursing at "Sapienza" University of Rome. The other aim was to evaluate if TECO-D is able to assess the changes in skills between students of I and III year of the university course and to calculate the minimal detectable change. The sample was composed by 35 pediatric nursing students and was recruited in October 2019. The test was administered using a digital platform with multiple choice questions (MCQs). The reliability, as internal consistency, was excellent ([alpha]= 0.938). The responsiveness evaluated by t-test for independent samples, the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) was supported by significant differences between two cohorts of pediatric nursing students, and adequate TECO-D is a reliable instrument for assessing the skills of pediatric nursing student evaluating the achievement of university goals and improving the quality of the training provided by the university. [For the full proceedings, see ED621108.]

The Italian Disciplinary section of Test of Competences (TECO-D) project is an important longitudinal study used to analyze learning outcomes of ungraded students and to measure quality of the educational process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the TECO-D in students enrolled in the Bachelor's Degree in Pediatric Nursing at "Sapienza" University of Rome. The other aim was to evaluate if TECO-D is able to assess the changes in skills between students of I and III year of the university course and to calculate the minimal detectable change. The sample was composed by 35 pediatric nursing students and was recruited in October 2019. The test was administered using a digital platform with multiple choice questions (MCQs). The reliability, as internal consistency, was excellent (a= 0.938). The responsiveness evaluated by t-test for independent samples, the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) was supported by significant differences between two cohorts of pediatric nursing students, and adequate TECO-D is a reliable instrument for assessing the skills of pediatric nursing student evaluating the achievement of university goals and improving the quality of the training provided by the university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 11 March 2020, the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Much of the global higher-education community has been thrust into an unplanned, unwanted and fraught experiment in online learning. Experts in the academic world must be encouraged to spread and share the strategies they are using to face these challenges. This extraordinary health emergency, which is being experienced in our country and all over the world, has forced Italian universities to modify the organisation of the final tests of their degree courses, including those of the health professions, with the effect of transforming them into online tests. The objective pursued is to not interrupt the completion of university courses by ensuring that students can complete the qualifying exams for these professions. This paper describes the method used at an Italian university to carry out the final exam of the degree course in physiotherapy in electronic form. Final exams have been organised on the basis of the guidance provided at a national level. The technical tool chosen by this university to allow participation in remote exams is the Microsoft Teams platform. The Exam Commission will start the exam, after verifying the environmental requirements in which each candidate wishes to take the exam. At the end of the exam, the President of the Exam Commission will transcribe the names and marks of the student, as well as the names of the members of the Commission on the minutes, and he or she will sign them. This paper represents a first step in the dissemination and sharing, at an academic level, of how one university is dealing with the current situation. It is an important element in helping academics and academia to manage this emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]