Dr. Tim Vierheller, Professor of Physics

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Implementation of an Assessment Plan on a
Two-Year Campus

• Dr. Tim Vierheller, Professor of Physics
• Emily Rock, Professor of Biology
• The University of Akron
• Wayne College
• Orrville, Oh

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• Branch Campus of The University of Akron
  Offering
• General Studies / Transfer
• Associate of Arts/Science
• Six Associate Degree Programs
• First Two Sem. of CT Programs

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History of Classroom Assessment at Wayne College

• Plan formed by Academic Assessment Committee(NCA
  Approved 1997)
• Shift from accountability to assessment for
  improvement

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Charge of the Academic Assessment Committee

• Implementation and evaluation
• Ideas, questions, and communications
• Resources and training
• Tracking

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Implementation - Assessment Forms

• Form One
• College Learning Outcomes
• Area Learning Outcomes
• Course Outcomes
• Assessment
• Course Objectives
• Methods
• Criteria

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College Learning Outcomes

• 1. Critical analysis and independent thought.
• 2. Problem-solving ability.
• 3. Effective interpersonal communication skills.
• 4. Effective use of technology.
• 5. Respect for individual differences and
  personal rights. 
• 6. Responsible and effective citizenship.

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Area Learning Outcomes

• General Education
• Transfer
• Technical Programs

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Course Outcomes

• Faculty Driven
• Continuity across Sections
• Agenda item at department meetings

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Assessment of Course Outcomes

• Methods of Assessment
•   
• Time of Assessment(s)
•  
• Criteria

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Implementation - Assessment Forms

• Form Two
• Results
• Summary and analysis of data
• Outcomes Achieved
• Changes based on assessment results
• Description of instructional changes

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Assessment Techniques Pretest / Posttests

• Physics Concept Inventory
• American Chemical Society
• Skill Assessment in Technical Areas (Novell and
  MicroSoft)
• Faculty generated

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Assessment Techniques Immediate Feedback

• Quizzes (not part of grade)
• 3x5 index cards for Feedback
• What was easy? what was hard?
• Best/worse teaching methods
• Quick writing exercises
• Student generated why questions
• Compiled and returned

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT IN ASSESSMENT
IMPLEMENTATION

• Simplify - Dont try to measure more learning
  outcomes than your instrument ( or you!) can
  handle!
• Follow Through - If your form A lists an outcome
  you hope to measure, then make sure you discuss
  the data you collected for that outcome on side B
  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT IN ASSESSMENT
IMPLEMENTATION

• Justify - When you describe the changes you are
  planning, explain how and why those changes are
  due to your assessment activities.
• Linking - Be sure to link all the learning
  outcomes on your Form A course outcomes to
  program outcomes to college outcomes

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Examples of Changes

• Using skits - Self Defense
• Assign book dealing with German grammar
• Change in texts - teach underlying ethical issues
  together with a review of current ethical issues
• Include more group interaction
• Change post-test from being only multiple choice
  to identifications and brief descriptive
  definitions. Greater focus on the evaluating the
  students understanding

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Faculty Motivation for Using Techniques

• Better instruction
• Documentation and Portfolio Development
• Method of inclusion of academic assessment in
  faculty merit for both full-time and part-time
  faculty require active participation in process

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Serving the Student

• Statements explaining importance
• Faculty can use to create interest in subject
• Value-added concept

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Measuring and Validating the Obtainment of
College Learning Outcomes

• Course Up Validation
• Current student focus groups
• Alumni surveys General Studies Program Review

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Alumni surveys General Studies Program
ReviewQuestions

• Helped develop my capacity forcritical
  independent thought
• Science,English,History,Social Sci
• Strongly agree, Agree, Neither, Disagree,Strongly
  Disagree

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Marketing College and Program Learning Outcomes

• Visual representations
• Focus groups

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Educational Testing Services (ETS) Academic
Profile Test

• Methods for pre and post testing students

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Communicating Results

• Students
• College community

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Responding to Academic Profile Test Results

• What does the test measure?
• Goals of the college

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NCA and Future Plans

• Further validation of college learning outcomes

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Thank You!!!