Morleo Federica, Anselmi Pasquale, Vitanza Alessandra
University of Padua, Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), Padova, Italy.
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council (CNR-ISTC), Catania, Italy.
PLoS One. 2025 May 30;20(5):e0323301. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323301. eCollection 2025.
Social and teamwork skills are essential for today's teachers, yet their assessment in authentic contexts is challenging. This study presents the design, development and validation of an innovative computer-based test, designed to assess collaborative and teamwork skills in preprimary and primary school teachers and referred to as the 'CoTeSt' (Collaborative and Teamwork Skill test). Based on Situated Action Theory, the test immerses participants in realistic team interactions using conversational agents within a narrative framework. Teachers are asked to solve problems, collaborate with virtual colleagues, and provide feedback. The test consists of 20 dichotomously scored items in both multiple-choice and short answer, and it was administered to 139 Italian teachers. Test validation involved qualitative and quantitative methods, confirming that the items actually assess the skills they were assumed to evaluate. Post-test interviews and group discussions highlighted the tool's user-friendly design and its potential to foster self-reflection, professional dialogue, and continuous skill development. The CoTeSt represents a meaningful step toward empowering teachers with critical social skills and fostering a culture of collaboration and growth in education.
社交和团队合作技能对当今的教师至关重要，然而在真实情境中对这些技能进行评估具有挑战性。本研究介绍了一种创新的计算机化测试的设计、开发和验证过程，该测试旨在评估学前和小学教师的协作与团队合作技能，被称为“CoTeSt”（协作与团队合作技能测试）。基于情境行动理论，该测试通过在叙事框架内使用对话代理，让参与者沉浸在现实的团队互动中。教师们被要求解决问题、与虚拟同事协作并提供反馈。该测试由20个采用多项选择题和简答题形式、二分计分的项目组成，并对139名意大利教师进行了测试。测试验证采用了定性和定量方法，证实这些项目确实评估了它们预期要评估的技能。测试后的访谈和小组讨论突出了该工具用户友好的设计及其促进自我反思、专业对话和持续技能发展的潜力。CoTeSt代表了朝着赋予教师关键社交技能以及在教育中培养协作与成长文化迈出的有意义的一步。
