Assessment Council

Fine-Tuning OutcomesSeptember 12, 2008

Friday morning meeting dates this semester

September 12 - outcomes September 26 - outcomes (bring examples) October 10 - assessments October 24 – assessments (bring examples) November 7 – assessment and NSSE November 21 – data summaries Dec. 5 – data summaries (bring examples)

Here’s a Six Step Expanded Version of the Assessment Cycle

1. Identify Broad Goals

2. Identify Outcomes

3. Identify learning activitiesto achieve student outcomes

4. Assess Student Learning

5. Analyze and Use Results tomake changes and improve

learning

6. Share Results.

Eileen Mathews, 2008; Adapted from Kent State University Model

Mission

Classroomand

Activity Level

Mathews, 2008; Adapted from Huba & Freed (2000). LearningCentered Assessment on College Campuses.

Levels of Specificity

BroadSpecific

Program/Department

Level

College/School Level

DivisionLevel

UniversityLevel

2008 - 2009Refining Our Assessment Work

September – Outcomes October – Assessments Nov – Dec – Summarizing data Jan – Feb – Analyzing data summaries March – Sharing Results April-May – Strengthening programs

based on data analysis

Clarification – Course and Department Outcomes Development

CUE and CGE: a new template requiring alignment of outcomes with assessments• Course level outcomes/assessment in syllabi

• ---- To Deans - Review w/ Assessment Fellow Office of Assessment: 07-08 – Program

Assessment Plan• Department/Program level outcomes/assessment

• Last year Assessment Plan

• This year examples for sharing

• --- To Pat Hulseboch (OAQ/OA)

How do you recognize a good student learning outcome when

you see one?

What characteristics would you look for in a student learning outcome?

….in a support services outcome?

See checklists adapted from other institutions……..• (NOTE: You’ll see these criteria again and again at

other institutions of higher education)

How would you evaluate the following outcomes?• Strengths?

• Problems? Areas to improve?

STUDENT OUTCOMES*At the end of this course, students will be able to :

ENGLISH:o Have a better understanding of what revision is and how to

do it

ACCOUNTING: Complete and explain the purpose of the various steps in

the accounting cycle

o * How might you strengthen these outcomes?

* From online source (anonymous)

STUDENT OUTCOMES*At the end of this course, students will be able to :

PSYCHOLOGY: Students will be aware of basic research methods in

psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.

•

POLITICAL SCIENCE:• Demonstrate knowledge of the different political

philosophies and ideologies that influence politics

o * How might you strengthen these outcomes?

* From online source (anonymous)

Student Affairs Outcomes: Students will develop skills for career and life

planning Students will make connections between their in-

class and out-of-class experiences All freshmen will participate in a three-phase

comprehensive, proactive advising and major/career exploration program by spring 2007.

Seventy percent of selected students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of their college preparatory requirements and the resources available to assist them.

* From online sources (anonymous) Strengthen?

What are the strengths of these outcomes?

By the end of their second year, students can, on a final exam, describe and explain literary and cultural theories of English literature.

Prior to graduation, all fourth-year students can, as a final project, conduct art historical research, interpreting art work and integrating appropriate secondary sources.

What are the strengths of these outcomes? By the end of their first year, all majors can

describe, on an exam, the biological structure and function of the cell.

By the end of their second year in the program, students will, on a final exam, be able to summarize the history of the African Diaspora and the foundations for the Atlantic trade in African captives.

Graduating majors, in completing final project, can integrate ideas from two or more areas of psychology into their own research.

What are the strengths of these outcomes?

Students will document their qualifications for a position in their resume and performance portfolios.

Student recreational center users will exhibit respect for the recreational center equipment.

In Your Program…

Review program outcomes to assess their strengths and possible areas for improvement

Choose 2-3 program outcomes to strengthen

Bring program outcomes to the next Assessment Council meeting