Proovitöö

Proovitöö is an Estonian term meaning "trial work" or "practice task." In education, it denotes a task designed to assess or develop a learner's practical skills, knowledge application, and problem-solving abilities in a realistic or simulated work setting. A proovitöö is typically smaller in scope than a final project or examination and serves as a preparatory or diagnostic assignment.

Implementation and assessment: A teacher or supervisor assigns a proovitöö with clear objectives and a rubric. It can be completed individually or in teams, within a defined time frame, and usually yields a written report, a presentation, a product, or a combination of these. The results may contribute to the overall grade, or be used as feedback for further learning.

Contexts and use: The concept is common in vocational education, applied sciences, and some university courses, where students learn by doing. It is used across disciplines such as information technology, engineering, construction, healthcare, design, and agricultural studies. The exact form and weight in assessment vary by institution and programme.

Relationship to other assessments: Proovitöö is distinct from a final thesis or certification exam, but it may be required as a stepping stone toward larger assignments or as practice before a high-stakes assessment.

Etymology: The word combines "proovi" (to try) and "töö" (work) in Estonian.