Assessing Student Learning in Higher Education

Section 1
 Introduction

Section 2
 Background and Rationale for Assessment

Section 3
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Section 4
Assessment Tools and Data

Section 5
Course Assessment

Section 6
Program Assessment

Section 7
Closing the Loop
Recording Data
Using Data
Budgeting, Planning, and Improving
Issues
Principles of  Good Assessment
 

Section 8
Implementing Assessment Training on Campus

Section 9
References & Resources

Definitions

Workbook

Using Materials from this Website

Recording the Data

Managing the data depends upon the type of assessment tool used. Electronic surveys using the web provide easily a manipulated and stored data. Formsite.com  provides a tool for creating forms and stores it automatically. The campus webmaster may help you create surveys online for assessment. Scantron has special forms that allow you to get a count on the number of answers for each choice using a common Scantron machine, I have found this inexpensive and useful. Scantron and several publishers have laser activated assessment tools that automatically download responses in a computer file.

The secret to closing the loop for faculty depends heavily upon realistic and manageable data recording.

For program assessment, data should be aggregated and sent to all faculty within the program. Allow some time for individual faculty members to think about the data. Plan a program meeting each semester to summarize the data and determine changes in the assessment process or improvements in program curriculum and policies. Interpreting the data occurs best when everyone has a chance for input, many minds are far smarter than the smartest individual mind. It is helpful to have a computer and project the information for everyone to see, and then to create an executive report together on the screen. This saves time and the report is created collegially; the meeting ends with a product. This data and summary should be shared with advisory boards, institutional researchers, and other relevant parties for input. Remember, everyone is a learner when it comes to assessment.

Proceed to Using Data

Resources and Links

Section 7 Closing the Loop
 as a Workbook
(14 pages)

You can create forms easily at this link.

Scantron Forms for Surveys