Tóm tắt Luận án Management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities

INTRODUCTION 1. Overview of the thesis Assessing the learning outcomes of students in general, assessing the learning outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities in particular is an important mission in the process of education and training. The practice of organizing and directing these activities is still inadequate, which is an issue attracting managers, scientists, and lecturer staff to research. The thesis topic “Management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities” is implemented with a desire to contribute ideas and scientific insights for management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. To perform the thesis, the author has used synthetic methodologies to clarify theoretical, practical issues, in which the investigation methodology, survey, experiment, test, and practical summary are used mainly. The thesis is presented in 142 pages, using 102 references (90 documents in Vietnamese and 12 English documents). 2. Reasons for choosing the thesis topic Subjects of social sciences and humanities are taught at military universities to equip a system of knowledge about society and people in the field of military operations, including the law, characteristic of law, nature, properties, social and humanity phenomena in the military field ... on the theoretical basis of Marxism – Leninism, Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, the viewpoints of the Communist Party of Vietnam, traditional military thought of the people of Vietnam to meet the requirements of the revolutionary tasks in each historical period. In the leadership process of building the country, our Party is always interested in education and training. Our Party has identified the following policy: "Basic and comprehensive reform of education and training", performing synchronously the solutions for developing and improving the quality of education and training. Reform the program content, teaching and learning methods, methods of examining and testing towards modernization [14, p.130, 216]. Continuing to specify these policies, Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW of the Central Executive Committee has concretized the objectives, tasks and solutions of basic, comprehensive reforming education and training, in which the contents of examining, testing and evaluating the results of education and training were identified: the examining, testing and evaluating the results of education and training need to be implemented gradually pursuant to the advanced criteria which the society and international educational community trust and recognize. Collaborate to use the evaluation results in the learning process with a final evaluation at the end of the semester and school year; evaluation of teachers and learners' self-assessment; evaluation of schools and evaluation of the family and society. Thoroughly grasping, creatively applying the Party's resolutions, education and training at military universities are comprehensively reformed in the direction of standardization and modernization. Discussing about assessment activities, Resolution No. 86/NQ-DUQSTW (now the Central Military Commission) stated: Focus on innovating educational methods of social sciences and humanities subjects. Innovate method of learning, training outcomes assessment, ensure the objectivity, reflect the true nature of the learner’s level, promote the real teaching and learning ... Stem from the actual situation of managing assessment of learning outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities recently: Besides the achieved results, there are still some limitations: the forces involved did not realize the position and role of evaluation activities; the process of conducting some stages is not objective; there is not much application of technical means and information technology; the management of content, processes, assessment regulation still has inadequacies ... Stemming from the research situation related to the topic: At present, there have been international and domestic scientific works researching on assessment of learning outcomes under different approach angles but there is no work or author studying in depth basically, systematically, intensively under management perspective the assessment of learning outcomes in teaching social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. From the above reasons, the fellow chooses the topic "Management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities" to study. 3. Research purpose and task 3.1. Research purpose Clarify the scientific basis of the management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students, to ensure that the assessment activities are conducted scientifically, tightly, reliably, contributing to improving the quality of teaching, quality and efficiency of education and training at military universities today. 3.2. Research purpose - Clarify the theoretical basis of management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities; - Survey practically and evaluate the actual situation of management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities; - Propose measures to manage the assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities; - Verify the effectiveness of the measures proposed in the practical assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. 4. Object, subject, scope of research and scientific theory 4.1. Object of research Assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities 4.2. Subject of research Management activities of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. 4.3. Research scope Regarding the scope of content, the thesis focuses on researching the management of assessing academic outcomes in teaching social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. Regarding the scope of survey object, the thesis focuses on deeply researching the management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities, focusing on the military training schools at university level in Hanoi area including the Academy of Politics, Political Officer College, Infantry Officer College 1, and Military Technical Academy. Regarding the scope of time, the data used to serve the research of the thesis is examined, investigated, and generalized with limitation from 2007 to the present. 4.4. Scientific theory The quality of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities firstly depends on the organizational level and the seriousness of the subjects of education in examining, testing, as well as the content, methods and standards of assessing academic outcomes of students. If military universities effectively implement measures such as building plan of strict examining, testing, seriously maintain regulation on education - training, unify criteria and standards to evaluate learning results appropriate to the characteristics of social sciences and humanities subjects, strengthen inspection, checking activities, they will manage in a scientific and effective way the assessment of learning outcomes of students at military universities. 5. Methodology and research method 5.1.Methodology The topic is researched based on the methodology of dialectical materialism of Marxism - Leninism. Grasp and concretize Ho Chi Minh’s thought, opinion, policy on educational, training reform and educational management of the Party, especially innovate the evaluation activities in education, training and simultaneously apply the viewpoints of system - structure approach, practical standpoint, historical - logical perspective in research. 5.2. Research method The thesis uses synthetic research methods of educational science, management, combining theory and practice, including: Methods of analysis, synthesis; Observation methods; Methods of investigation by questionnaire; Methods of specialist – deep interviews; Experiment methods; and Statistical methods. 6. New contributions of the thesis - Develop a conceptual framework for assessment and management of assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. - Analyse properly the actual situation of evaluation and management of assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities, contribute to providing practical arguments for the universities to effectively implement the direction and operation of education and training with more basis. - Propose a system of measures and confirm the effectiveness of the measures in the management of assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities today. 7. Theoretical, practical significance of the thesis Regarding theory: The research results of the thesis contribute to the overall development in scientific research of educational management; supplement and develop the theory of training management in general, management of assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities in particular. Regarding practice: The results of survey, investigation have focused nature pursuant to the management issues associated with the targeted training requirements at universities. The results of survey, investigation provide truthful data to help universities recognize, properly evaluate the situation of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students today. The measures proposed in the thesis are the suggestion to help leaders and managers at all levels to consult and apply in the practical training at their universities. 8. Structure of the thesis Đề tài luận án được kết cấu gồm phần mở đầu; phần nội dung với 4 chương; phần kết luận, danh mục các công trình của tác giả đã công bố có liên quan đến đề tài luận án, danh mục tài liệu tham khảo và phụ lục. The thesis topic is structured including an introduction; the content with 4 chapters; a conclusion, list of the author’s published works related to the thesis topic, list of reference and appendices. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ISSUE RELATED TO THE TOPIC ON THE MANAGEMENT OF ASSESSING ACADEMIC OUTCOMES OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES OF STUDENTS AT MILITARY UNIVERSITIES 1. Researches on evaluation of academic results of social science and humanities Currently, in the world, it’s a scientific assessment that education is thriving, especially in the US and OECD countries. The modern assessment trend is being respected in research and application deployment, which should include the work of Professor Anthony J. Nitko from Arizona University in America witht the title: “Educational Assessment of Students”. The study "Classroom Assessment - Techniques" by Thomas A. Agelo [102]. Author Rick Stiggin and colleagues studied about classroom assessment with specific methods and techniques. In addition there are research works in the field of metrology in educational assessment such as "Educational Measurement and Evaluation" by Jum C. Nunnally, the works "Measuring Educational Achievements" of Robert L.Ebel. The issue of assessing learning outcomes of learners has attracted numerous experts and scientists in the country to invest in research. Typical of this approach may include the authors and their works such as: Author Tran Thi Tuyet Oanh with the works "Assessment and measurement of learning outcomes" [62]; the author Lam Quang Thiep with the works "Innovating methods of assessment of learning outcomes in the universities of our country" [71]; the author Nguyen Thanh Nhan "Reality and direction of innovating the activities of assessing academic outcomes of university students under credit system" [46]; the author Tran Thanh Phuong with the study "Method of examination and evaluation" [66]; the author Dang Thanh Hung with the works "Assessment of skills" [39]; the author Tran Xuan Bach in the study "Evaluation of teachers towards normalization in the current period" [1] ... in addition to the authors mentioned above, there are some other authors whose works are also close to this field including: author Le Thanh Son and Tran Tu Anh with "The level of satisfaction of graduates with social demand for knowledge and skills - an evaluation criteria of the quality of higher education"[68]; the author Nguyen Duc Minh with "Assessment and the issue of enhancing the quality of education" [56]; the author Nguyen Quang Viet with "Evaluation of learning outcomes pursuant to practice capability of students in vocational training institutions" [88]; the author Pham Ngoc Long with "Assessment of students in the teaching process" [50]. The scientific works on the assessment of learning outcomes of students at military universities are deployed relatively diverse associated with characteristics of objects, the target training requirements of each individual industry sectors, technical expertise, typically have to mention: Group of authors of the Military Technical Academy with the topic "Renewing the examination and assessment of learning outcomes of social sciences and humanities towards stimulating positiveness of learners in Military Technical Academy"[34]; author Nguyen Van Phan with the works "Assessment of the academic quality of students training at Military Technical Academy today" [64]; author Nguyen Minh Thuc with the works "Some measures to improve the quality of exams and tests in teaching social sciences and humanities at military universities" [74]; Author Bui Quang Dat with the study "Innovation of examination and testing method of theoretical subjects in Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s ideology in the colleges training advising commanders at division level today" [18]. 2. Studies on managing assessment of learning outcomes of social sciences and humanities In 2004, there is a research on educational evaluation titled "Monitoring Educational Achievement" [101]. PISA (program of international student assessment), after years of trial, PISA has launched a process of evaluation and close management of assessment from the management of question system, time amount of doing the test, and structure of knowledge units [96]. Teaching Council of Australian universities has built the basic principles relating to managing evaluation of learning results of student such as: Defining the assessment of learning outcomes is the central task in the whole teaching process; Activities of assessing learning outcomes must follow educational goals; There is a balance between assessment during the process and summative assessment; Management unit must have written guidelines on assessment of learning outcomes and so on. In our country, there are not many researches on managing assessment of learning outcomes of pupils and students. Through research, we have access to some scientific works mentioning about the management of certain extent such as: Author Ngo Quang Son with the thesis "The measures to manage the assessment of learning outcomes of students in online training in universities and colleges today" [67]; author: Dang Ba Lam with the works "Check - Assessment of university teaching" [45]; author Le Thi My Ha with the thesis "Develop the process of assessing learning outcomes of junior high students" [23]; author Can Thi Thanh Huong with the thesis "Studies on managing assessment of learning outcomes in higher education in Vietnam" [40]; author Mai Danh Huan with the thesis "Construction and management the processes in assessment of academic achievements of regular students, consistent with training methods pursuant to credit" [38] ... Although the above studies approached from the angle of educational management science, there is no works with a comprehensive, profound overview about managing assessment of learning outcomes of students. Given the nature and characteristics of training in the army, so far we have yet to access to any scientific work or thesis discussing about management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities. The studies by the authorities of management of education and training in the system of military universities are basically expressed as the documents guiding the implementation, along with the system of charter, statutes, and regulations in assessing and managing of assessment of learning outcomes of students. However, if approached in a management perspective, assessment of academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities is a purposeful activity of managing subjects, through the impacts of management tool on the entire process of learning social sciences and humanities of students ... with some typical studies including the research at section level of group of authors Le Anh Tuan in 2005, "Development of assessment criteria in assessing the quality and conditions to ensure the quality of university training in the military school system" [10]; author Mai Van Hoa with the topic "Assessment of academic quality of students training at Military Political Academy today" [27]; author Tran Dinh Tuan with the works "Application of information technology in construction, choosing the exam questions and assessment of learning outcomes in Academy of Politics" [86]; author Phung Van Thiet with the works "Develop criteria for evaluating the quality of education and training at university level in Academy of Politics today" ... 3. Generalize research results of the published scientific works and issues that the thesis focuses on solving Firstly, the researches have studied to clarify the concepts of assessment, measurement, test, examination ... then developed building concepts associated with the object of study of each topic such as: assessment of students according to the standards of output; assessment of advanced training programs; Building the process of examining and assessing students’ learning performance; Building the process of assessing learning outcomes of secondary students ... in these concepts, the authors have pointed out the position and role of the evaluation activities in improving the learning outcomes of learners, indicating the relationship between the assessment of learning outcomes with quality of education and training. The authors have the common opinion, proper assessment and accurate assessment of learning outcomes, which will stimulate the positive and self-learning nature of learners. However, the researches only stop at the commentary on the assessment, measurement and testing the academic performance of pupils, students, there is no works introducing the concept of managing assessment of academic performance. Inheriting the research results of these works, the thesis continues to research and solve the following issues: Build the concept on management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities; Define the objectives, contents of management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities; Generalize and interpret characteristics of teaching, assessment and management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities; Identify factors affecting the management of assessing academic outcomes of social sciences and humanities of students at military universities today. Secondly, in studying the actual situation of assessing learning outcomes, at each