Quo Vadis Opinions

Lots of publicity around Minister Mary Coughlan’s request  to colleges to consider accepting an “E” grade on honours maths for college admission. On the surface this looks good as surely an “E” in honours maths is better than a “D” in pass maths.
However really this request as with so much of government  action  is addressing a symptom rather than the real issue which has been around a long ,long time.

The real issue is Irish students are not scoring high enough in maths compared to other countries. This is a problem because due to our high costs we need to attract high paying jobs many of which require good skills in maths and science.
Not enough students take honours maths, because it is a difficult course which requires substantial extra time compared to other subjects, plus failure in maths can prevent students from entering many college courses.

Maths Teachers  not fully qualified
Coupled with research which shows that nearly half  of secondary  maths teachers are not fully qualified to teach maths, you begin to see why students stay away from honours maths.

In fairness the Department has started to address this with the new project mathscurriculum, but many teachers seem to be very unhappy with this course, which aims to be much more practical ,realistic and actually develop thinking skills.  Not sure why this is so. The national roll out will see the first of the five  new strands  changing the exam in 2011 with full implementation in 2014. The target is to nearly double the percentage  of leaving certificate students sitting honours maths to 30%.

DCU has already taken the initiative and dropped the honours maths requirement for their manufacturing engineering with business studies (dc196)course . The curriculum has been revised to teach additional maths in the course.
So this could be a good option for people with an engineering interest, but do be aware that this route means you may not be able to transfer directly to one of the Engineers Ireland accredited B.eng programmes. (The DC196 course is not accredited). It’s still worth looking at for those with an interest in engineering but without honours maths.

PS
If you are considering leaving certificate  subject choices in general, remember taking one additional language, e.g. French, Spanish etc and one science subject is the best way to keep as many college options  open as possible.

A good article on getting your employer to fund your course
Go to website article

HPAT
Students can now appeal the HPAT test, which is essential for entry into medicine. Heard of students with excellent leaving points but not so good HPAT results are repeating the HPAT this year so this is good news. Maybe they do listen to us bloggers!
Go to article

Education
US firm calls for overhaul of Education. This is interesting and reflects what many educationalists feel. Will anything change though?
Go to website article

Also good on the education front was that RTE series on St Peter’s school Dunboyne. very inspiring. The students were great. Of course they only showed the good teachers and not the minority of poor teachers in every school who drag the staff room and students down.
They were very strict on the school uniform, thought school staff redoing pupil ties had gone out with the ark. Interestingly none of the girls wore trousers, just that icky green & white kilt. Many schools now allow female students to wear trousers, if the school is mixed as one of the Irish equality opportunity bodies found against Bewleys cafe when they made female staff wear that appalling pinafore & hat whilst the lads could wear trousers.
If you missed the show you can also catch it on the RTE website.

College applications
College applications up by 10% with 3 weeks to go
Go to website article

Also be aware of two new pathways to help school leavers with a  disadvantage or a disability to get to college. This is real progress and it is good to see very transparent requirements being put in place.

Keywords
career coach
career builder
career coaching
career guidance Ireland

As regular readers will know I’m in favour of the new HPAT test  for entry to undergraduate medicine. When I wrote about the test last January, a few respondents disagreed and said it was simply to make sure less women got into medicine and that the quality of doctors would decrease. So given this lack of trust in the test it’s important HPAT runs smoothly and professionally.
However if I was assessing their performance to date, it would be a “could do better”.  Granted this is the first year of HPAT, but their procedures are causing significant irritation amongst students and are capable of undermining trust in this important psychometric test.

For a psychometric test to be worthwhile, two key criteria need to be measured.
Does the test actually consistently produce the same result for candidates of similar ability? (Known as reliability) For this reason all reputable tests always have strict conditions  to ensure all candidates sit the test in the similar conditions, the same instructions are always used, the room must be interruption free, time strictly allocated  etc,
In running the tests last February, quite a number of students experienced significant delays in sitting the test. For example in the rather cold RDS students had to hang around for an hour after registration before the test started.  Such students could argue they were put at a disadvantage to students who sat the test without delay and undermines the test reliability.  Now granted if you become stressed after waiting an hour, to the extent it worsens your performance, I’d query your ability to be a doctor, as you’ll experience a lot worse working for the HSE!
But the delay does provide ammunition for a legal challenge.

A second criteria is validity. Does the test actually measure what it supposed to measure? 
For example in 1949, the American army found  their psychometric test for selecting cooks actually measured reading ability rather than cooking ability. People who could cook well were not selected because they could not read the test questions. So the test was not valid.
The HPAT assesses three different types of ability.
   Logical reasoning and problem solving
   Non-verbal reasoning
   Interpersonal understanding
For the test to be valid, each of these abilities should be accurately measured.

It can be argued that the Leaving Certificate measures the first two abilities to a reasonable extent.
However the interpersonal understanding is most definitely not measured to any reliable extent in the Leaving cert and I believe this is where the HPAT adds real value to the selection process. After all interpersonal understanding from doctors is absolutely essential to good treatment. Doctors needs to understand what their patients are saying and the personal situations & lives  of their clients!
So a person considering a career as a doctor would find feedback on their interpersonal understanding very valuable as this indicates their suitability for the career.  But despite paying a fee of €95, candidates are not given this valuable information. This suggests HPAT do not have confidence in the individual test results.

However communications between the CAO & HPAT seems to be confused, so the students CAO record is able to hold the score of each individual result. So when the results were given to the CAO, they put up the individual test ability results. When the mistake was realised (Boards discussion board) it appears the individual scores were then replaced by the overall score.

Result: It appears some candidates got access to their scores, if they logged on to their CAO record quickly enough, others did not get access to their individual scores.
This is unfair.

I did take this up with the CAO, who said it was a matter for HPAT.
HPAT in fairness did reply promptly to my emails, but when I asked them to confirm no student had access to individual scores, there was a deafening silence.
Given there have been past legal challenges by disappointed would be medical students, HPAT needs to do better, because students are used to a more transparent system 
Also to acknowledge a personal interest. People like me who have invested considerable time and money in obtaining qualifications in psychometric testing to work with clients are frustrated that poor administration of this high profile test could damage the reputation of psychometric testing generally.

Update 28th August
The CAO application record now holds the individual test results.  Seems the HPAT people do listen to public comment!

Keywords
career coach
career builder
career coaching
career guidance Ireland

I published this   two years ago on blogger, but a few people indicated they had trouble finding it, so given the Leaving certificate is ending to-day, I thought I’d republish on this wordpress blog. I’ve also updated it to reflect recent client questions.

You’re exhausted after finishing the Leaving Certificate but change of mind time where you can change your college options ends on the 1st of July. So you need to look at your options now to avoid a last minute panic and reduce the chances of dropping out of college next year. Depending on college course up to 30% of students drop out of college. So here’s a few quick tips to avoid this problem.

Check your application
Check out the application you made earlier on this year.  Click here for details on how to do this.

Understand yourself
if you have n’t already done so, make a list of
· Activities you like doing e.g. music.
· Activities and things you hate. e.g. reading,
· What’s important to you - are you a spiritual person, do you like lots of money?
· Any talents you have e.g. very good at rugby, physics, or listening
· Any aspects of yourself that you think you’d like to change e.g. you might
think you’re quite shy and would like to be more outgoing
· Any health issues that are a concern. e.g. being a pilot is out if you are
affected by colour blindness.

Compare all your lists to see if you can see a pattern emerging. For example if you like music and computers, then a career as a sound engineer may be worth investigating.

Use Qualifax
The qualifax website which contains details of all courses is a “must see” for all aspiring college students. It also has the most up to date situation on courses as since the CAO handbook has been printed, new courses have been added and some courses are no longer running.

Find out subject requirements for your possible colleges and courses
Make sure you know what the subject requirements are, as these vary from college to college and from course to course. For example, Trinity requires an ordinary level grade D3 in English, Maths and a foreign language, with specific course requirements as well. For example  the Trinity pharmacy course requires a higher C3 in Chemistry and C in ordinary level maths. If you are not doing Maths or Chemistry then even if you achieve a perfect 600 points you will not be offered a place. Put a big black line though these courses so you don’t waste a course choice option.

Find out all about courses
Now you’ve narrowed your possible choices down, start investigating. Course names can be very misleading so you need to understand all the subjects being covered in each year of the course and the approach. For example psychology in Trinity emphasises research while UCD is more practical in orientation. Ensure your course has proper accreditation e.g. HETAC or FETAC.
Get the prospectus and look at the course subjects. If you hate maths and your preferred course has a strong maths theme then you may need to reconsider.

Follow your heart
The course that is best for you is the one you will be interested in and enjoy. Try not to choose a course solely based on the points you think you will get, the money you think you will earn, or because family tradition is pressurising you. You’ll spend significant time in college and then in your career choice, so make sure you’re picking a course you’re likely to enjoy rather than endure.

Don’t take newspaper headlines on jobs too literally
Choosing a course by using newspaper headlines on available jobs is also a bad strategy. Click here to see why.

Complete the two separate CAO course choices in order of choice
Many diploma/ordinary degree courses have progression to honour degree level, so don’t be put off filling out the diploma/ordinary degree choices section. List your CAO choices in order of your personal preference not your possible points. Make sure the courses you think you’ll enjoy the most and where you are sitting the required exam subjects are at the top of your list.

Finally review your choices
Only at the final stages, should you review your points requirements.  If you look at your course choices and find all 10 of your choices are very high points you may end up with no CAO offers even if you get an excellent 495 points.  For example in health care it is possible to use up all 10 choices on courses above 500 points. If you’re in this position, to keep your college options open, consider the following approach. 

Looking at your choices aim to have at least two courses in each of the following three categories:

At the top of your 10 choice list- your dream or ideal course
These are the courses you’d love to do whether you get 600 or 200 points.

Midway through your course list: realistic courses
These course choices are ones which are not your dream course, but you would like to do, if you don’t get the points for your dream  course. These courses have points in and around the points you think you might receive last year.

Finally at the bottom of your course choices,  banker courses
These are courses you would consider doing, if you don’t get the points you need for any other course.

You may still decide to repeat the Leaving Certificate if you don’t get the points you need, but using this approach you’ll still have a choice as you will have a college offer.

If you find yourself still confused or very uncertain about your options, consider whether independent career guidance could help. To find out more about our career guidance services for  students click here

Key words
CAO Change of mind
career advice Dublin
career guidance Ireland

The Royal opera house use  YouTube as a recruitment tool
Click to go to external website
 
Some tips from rollercoaster on the CAO offer process
Click to go to external website

A useful podcast from Brian Mooney in  the Irish Times on CAO offers
Click to go to external website
(Remember if you’re disappointed with your offer, there’s many different routes into your preferred career)

Americans are notorious for driving very short distances instead of walking. But now the high cost of petrol is forcing commuters into car pooling, cycling and  working from home.
Click to go to external website
 

I posted this last year but had a few queries so am posting it again this year.

From 1st of May to 1st July you can change your CAO college choices on your application that you submitted earlier in 2008. Even if you do not intend to change your college choices you still need to review your application for any errors.

Here’s some tips on managing this process
First
You should have or will shortly receive your “statement of application record”. It is vital you check all the information on this as if it’s incorrect it could affect your college offer in August. Make sure to check the following

Date and place of birth can affect college eligibility so make sure they are correct

Your address is correct- yes it got to you this time, but the wrong postal code can mean delays in receiving your offer in August.

Your course choices are the courses you’ve actually picked and the code is the right one for your preferred course. i.e. the course codes listed are the ones you actually meant to pick

Details of any examinations you passed previously are correctly stated

Your exam number is correct

If you are entitled to any language exemption make sure it is noted on the form.

If there are any errors as distinct from a change of mind on college courses, amend this form and return immediately.

Secondly check for important changes which are not in the CAO handbook.
These are
Cancelled courses. For example DC 213 acting in DCU has been cancelled. You don’t want to waste a course choice on cancelled courses

New courses added such as a new course in Performing arts (Acting) DK766 in Dundalk. Some of these new courses may be of interest to you. (Note Dundalk have asked me to mention that in 2008, this course is unrestricted, so you can use the change of mind option to apply up to the 1st of July)

Some courses have introduced a portfolio requirement e.g. GC494 fashion design in Griffith college.

Changes in your preferred course titles. For example DN024 was sports management now, it’s known as sports and exercise management. Noting this now can avoid stress when your course offer arrives and you think it’s incorrect.

If you’d like to see full details of these changes. Click here
to go to the CAO web site

Check whether you are still interested in the course choices you’ve made so far. (I’ll come back to this in another blog entry)

Use the online change of mind facility as this means you are less likely to make errors.

Do keep copies of your preferred college prospectus and amendments made as you might need to refer to them, to check your understanding of what you’ve signed up to.
For example Trinity college’s common entry engineering course currently allows student to choose their own specialisation without restriction. i.e. not subject to exam performance or class size restrictions.

One current 1st year student mentioned to me that this year they were told the college authorities would choose for them. A quick review of the college literature soon showed that students had signed up to choose their own courses and the decision was changed!

Finally don’t leave updating your choices until the last minute (1st of July). After the Leaving Cert finishes people tend to forget to update!

Other posts that may be of interest
Pick right CAO course for you
Look beneath surface - CAO trends
CAO under attack
CAO 1st March deadline
CAO 1st February deadline

Keywords

career coach

career builder

career coaching

career guidance Ireland

The CAO closing date of the 1st of February is approaching fast. (Next Friday)

The full application fee of €45 is now payable as the “early bird” discount is now finished.

Remember to check the alerts list before you finalise your application.

These are updates from the various colleges which are not included in the college handbooks or propsectus.
These updates may make a big difference to  your choices.

Some examples include
 Blanchardstown IT have introduced a new course- BN111 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sports Management & Coaching

UCD DN008, omnibus science, The   3rd language requirement has been removed

Trinity will not now be running a new course as it’s been deferred to 2009  -TR016 Music and Music Technology

For the full list of alerts, click here  to go to the CAO web site.

Other posts that may be of interest
Don’t choose your course on basis of points
Pick the right CAO course for you
Look beneath surface - CAO trends
CAO change your mind time starts
CAO under attack

You can also listen to  Irish Times podcasts on completing your application form and college choices. This is by Brian Mooney of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors in Ireland.  Click here to go to podcast

Technorati tags
career builder

career coaching

career guidance Ireland