InGRID Workshop, February 11th, 2014

Assessment Tools for Transversal Cognitive Skills in Individual Occupational Careers of

the 21st Century

Jakob Mainert, PhD (cand.)University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg)

Research Group „Computer-based Assessment“contact: jakob.mainert@uni.lu

1. Overall Research Framework Project – LifeLong Learning, Innovation, Growth, and Human Capital Tracks

in Europe

2. Complex Problem Solving (CPS)– A transversal cognitive skill for the 21st century

3. Translation of CPS into occupational careers – Why Complex Problem Solving Matters Beyond General Mental

Ability

Outline

1. Overall Research Framework Project – LifeLong Learning, Innovation, Growth, and Human Capital Tracks

in Europe

2. Complex Problem Solving (CPS)– A transversal cognitive skill for the 21st century

3. Translation of CPS into occupational careers – Why Complex Problem Solving Matters Beyond General

Intelligence

Outline

1. How do successful enterprises actively employ Lifelong Learning for their competitive advantage?

2. Which public policy environments facilitate Lifelong Learning for such enterprises and entrepreneurs?

3. How does Lifelong Learning interact with and promote innovativeness on the enterprise level?

4. How much of which skills do European adults actually have?

5. What are the actual learning mechanisms in adult life that lead to these skills?

6. What are the causal effects of these skills on growth, competitiveness and social cohesion?

www.lllightineurope.com

For individuals , enterprises & countries

www.lllightineurope.com

Directed towards the facilitation oflifelong learning

Executed by9 EuropeanUniversities

Transversal Skills give an answer to the demands of the 21st century work places

www.lllightineurope.com

Giving Individuals a better chance of understanding & controlling information technology rather than being its servant

Measuring peoples actual skill level, instead of their qualification

Outline

1. Overall Research Framework Project – LifeLong Learning, Innovation, Growth, and Human Capital Tracks

in Europe

2. Complex Problem Solving (CPS)– A transversal cognitive skill for the 21st century

3. Translation of CPS into occupational careers – Why Complex Problem Solving Matters Beyond General

Intelligence

1960 2014

Do Assessments keep the pace?

Complex Problem Solving

• Complex Problem Solving- Transversal skill involving general mental processes- Important in all non-routine problem solving

• Main Characteristics- Situation may change dynamically over time- Relevant information not apparent at the outset- Knowledge acquisition and knowledge application

Validity and Measurement Quality

Prediction of academic achievementGreiff et al., 2012; Schweizer et al., 2013; Wüstenberg et al., 2012

Prediction of occupational performance and success Abele et al., 2012Danner et al., 2011

Longitudinal AnalysesFrischkorn et al., submitted

Multitrait-Multimethod-AnalysesGreiff et al, in press

1. Overall Research Framework Project – LifeLong Learning, Innovation, Growth, and Human Capital Tracks

in Europe

2. Complex Problem Solving (CPS)– A transversal cognitive skill for the 21st century

3. Translation of CPS into occupational careers – Why Complex Problem Solving Matters Beyond General

Intelligence

Outline

Study: Transversal Skills and Classical Cognitive Abilityin Occupational Careers & Lifelong Learning

1. How are classical cognitive ability and transversal skills related to career development at different points?

2. Do transversal cognitive skills influence career development beyond classical cognitive ability?

• Sample245 employees (mean age 45-49 years; 15% women)

• Assessment of cognitive skillsCPS: MicroDYNFluid intelligence: CFT-20 R (Weiß, 2006)

• Assessment of career developmentSchool-leaving qualificationJob level: ISCOProfessional development

• AnalysisConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA) Structural equation modeling (SEM)Latent correlations and regressionsGood model fit for all models (CFI > .95; RMSEA < .08; SRMR <. 05 or WRMR < .80)

Research Questions Methods

Results & Conclusions

• CPS predicts school-leaving qualification over and above fluid intelligence

• Only fluid intelligence (weakly) predicts job level

• CPS predicts professional development over and above fluid intelligence

Concluding Remarks

• LLLight´in´Europe is a research platform for human capital growth paths

• Complex Problem Solving is a skill relevant for 21st century jobs

• Complex Problem Solving might complement human capital test batteries

“All life is problem solving”Karl Popper, 1999