Abstract
<jats:p>This study evaluated the effectiveness of students' skills in behavioural assessment of animals as a teaching tool, specifically identifying errors in their evaluations and measuring their improvement over time. A group of 45 students assessed the behaviour of five distinct animals weekly over a five-week period, utilizing a standardized 5-point behavioural checklist to score each animal. The study compared students' ratings against those of their instructors, as well as among peer evaluations, to determine the consistency and reliability of their assessments. Analysis of the collected data assessed the degree of alignment between students and instructor evaluations, highlighted discrepancies, and identified patterns of improvement in students’ scoring accuracy throughout the assessment period. This evaluation method aimed to enhance understanding of the learning curve in behavioural assessment and improve pedagogical approaches that equipped students with the necessary skills in animal welfare evaluation. The findings can contribute towards refining educational methodologies in animal behaviour studies and promoting ongoing improvement in student assessment capabilities.</jats:p>