Outcomes-based Academic and Co-curricular Program Review


Book Description

Examines the principles of assessment of student learning outcomes in the context of program review and discusses the good practices of institutions recognized for their improvements in research, teaching, and service.




Outcomes-Based Program Review


Book Description

Second EditionThis book introduces the reader to the principles of assessment of student learning outcomes in the context of program review, and illustrates how to implement a sustainable outcomes-based assessment program review process based on over 30 case studies of exemplary practice across a range of institutional types.Since publication of the first edition just over a decade ago, the landscape of higher education has been transformed. With the emergence of competency-based education, the questioning of the value of a post-secondary degree, the explosion of neuroscientific research, the emphasis on metacognition, as well as demographic changes in who is going to college and why, new questions are being asked and new methods of collecting data have multiplied. This new edition retains the goals of the first--which is to inform institutional self-reflection of how well the organization is achieving its intended purpose--in a manner that is reflective, adaptive, and collaborative, but which recognizes today’s changed environment.Among the new topics Marilee J. Bresciani Ludvik introduces in this edition is how to appropriately connect outcomes-based program review (OBPR) to performance indicators and predictive analytics and develop meaningful new performance metrics to inform our understanding of the student experience. She also addresses the intersection of OBPR with competency-based assessment, introduces the reader to new concepts and terminology, and demonstrates the implications of neuroscientific research for learning and development and how that influences OBPR design. All the cases, a signature feature of the first edition to illustrate best practice, have been replaced for this edition.Bresciani Ludvik postulates the importance of developing institutions as learning organizations where OBPR is designed collaboratively between student services, academic services, business services professionals, and faculty.Each chapter concludes with key learning points as well as questions for organizational leadership to promote ongoing professional development as institutions implement OBPR practices that are appropriate for their specific contexts.




Measuring Cocurricular Learning: The Role of the IR Office


Book Description

This volume examines the complexities of measuring co-curricular learning and discusses the role of the institutional research professional in measuring learning outside of the classroom. This volume explores: Contemporary theories around co-curricular learning and its influence on student success; The role of accountability and accreditation when considering the methods to measure co-curricular learning; How co-curricular data align with university goals and priorities; The differences between direct and indirect measures of cocurricular learning; and The roles the institutional research office can play as a leader and collaborator in the measurement of co-curricular learning. This is the 164th volume of this Jossey-Bass quarterly report series. Timely and comprehensive, New Directions for Institutional Research provides planners and administrators in all types of academic institutions with guidelines in such areas as resource coordination, information analysis, program evaluation, and institutional management.




Demonstrating Student Success


Book Description

This practical guide to outcomes-based assessment in student affairs is designed to help readers meet the growing demand for accountability and for demonstrating student learning. The authors offer a framework for implementing the assessment of student learning and development and pragmatic advice on the strategies most appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. Beginning with a brief history of assessment, the book explains how to effectively engage in outcomes-based assessment, presents strategies for addressing the range of challenges and barriers student affairs practitioners are likely to face, addresses institutional, divisional, and departmental collaboration, and considers future developments in the assessment of student success. One feature of the book is its use of real case studies that both illustrate current best practices in student affairs assessment that illuminate theory and provide examples of application. The cases allow the authors to demonstrate that there are several approaches to evaluating student learning and development within student affairs; illustrating how practice may vary according to institutional type, institutional culture, and available resources. The authors explain how to set goals, write outcomes, describe the range of assessment methods available, discuss criteria for evaluating outcomes-based assessment, and provide steps and questions to consider in designing the reflection and institutional assessment processes, as well as how to effectively utilize and disseminate results. Their expert knowledge, tips, and insights will enable readers to implement outcomes-based assessment in ways that best meet the needs of their own unique campus environments.




Assessing Student Learning in the Community and Two-Year College


Book Description

This is a practical resource for community and two year college professionals engaged at all levels of learning outcomes assessment, in both academic and co-curricular environments. It is designed as a guide both to inform the creation of new assessment efforts and to enhance and strengthen assessment programs already established, or in development. Each chapter addresses a key component of the assessment process, beginning with the creation of a learning-centered culture and the development and articulation of shared outcomes goals and priorities. Subsequent chapters lead the reader through the development of a plan, the selection of assessment methods, and the analysis of results. The book concludes by discussing the communication of results and their use in decision making; integrating the conclusions in program review as well as to inform budgeting; and, finally, evaluating the process for continuous improvement, as well as engaging in reflection.The book is illustrated by examples developed by faculty and student affairs/services professionals at community and two year colleges from across the country. Furthermore, to ensure its relevance and applicability for its targeted readership, each chapter has at least one author who is a community college or two-year college professional.Contributors are drawn from the following colleges:Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeDavid PhillipsBuffalo State CollegeJoy BattisonKimberly KlineBooker PiperButler County Community CollegeSunday Faseyitan California State University, FullertonJohn HoffmanGenesee Community CollegeThomas PriesterVirginia TaylorHeald CollegeMegan LawrenceStephanie Romano (now with Education Affiliates)Hobart and William Smith CollegesStacey PierceMiami Dade CollegeJohn FrederickBarbara RodriguezNorthern Illinois UniversityVictoria LivingstonParadise Valley Community CollegePaul DaleSan Diego Mesa CollegeJill BakerJulianna BarnesSan Diego State UniversityMarilee BrescianiSan Juan CollegeDavid EppichStark State CollegeBarbara MillikenUniversity of AkronSandra CoynerMegan Moore Gardner




The First-Year Seminar


Book Description

The First-Year Seminar: Designing, Implementing, and Assessing Courses to Support Student Learning and Success, a five-volume series, is designed to assist educators who are interested in launching a first-year seminar or revamping an existing program. Each volume examines a different aspect of first-year seminar design or administration and offers suggestions for practice grounded in research on the seminar, the literature on teaching and learning, and campus-based examples. Because national survey research suggests that the seminar exists in a variety of forms on college campuses -- and that some campuses combine one or more of these forms to create a hybrid seminar -- the series offers a framework for decision making rather than a blueprint for course design. The series includes: Volume I: Designing and Administering the Course Volume II: Instructor Training and Development Volume III: Teaching in the First-Year Seminar Volume IV: Using Peers in the Classroom Volume V: Assessing the First-Year Seminar Editors/Authors: Volume I: Jennifer R. Keup & Joni Webb Petschauer Volume II: James E. Groccia & Mary Stuart Hunter Volume III: Brad Garner Volume IV: Jennifer A. Latino & Michelle L. Ashcraft Volume V: Daniel B. Friedman




Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense


Book Description

Neurotechnology in National Security and Defense: Practical Considerations, Neuroethical Concerns is the second volume in the Advances in Neurotechnology series. It specifically addresses the neuroethical, legal, and social issues arising from the use of neurotechnology in national security and defense agendas and applications. Of particular concer




Assessment Clear and Simple


Book Description

The first edition of Assessment Clear and Simple quickly became the essential go-to guide for anyone who participates in the assessment process in higher education. With the increased pressure to perform assessment to demonstrate accountability, Assessment Clear and Simple is needed more than ever. This second edition of the classic resource offers a concise, step-by-step guide that helps make assessment simple, cost-efficient, and useful to an institution. It contains effective strategies for meeting the requirements of accreditation agencies, legislatures, review boards, and others, while emphasizing and showing how to move from data to actions that improve student learning. This thoroughly revised and updated edition includes many new or expanded features, including: Illustrative examples drawn from the author's experience consulting with more than 350 institutions A basic, no-frills assessment plan for departments and for general education Tips on how to integrate portfolios and e-portfolios into the assessment process Suggestions for using rubrics and alternatives to rubrics, including doing assessment for multidisciplinary work Clear instructions on how to construct a coherent institution-wide assessment system and explain it to accreditors Ideas for assigning responsibility for general education assessment Strategies for gathering information about departmental assessment while keeping the departmental workload manageable Information on how to manage assessment in times of budgetary cutbacks Praise for the Second Edition of Assessment Clear and Simple "Walvoord's approach to assessment is wonderfully straightforward; it is also effective in facilitating faculty engagement in assessment. We've applied a number of her methods to our campus assessment efforts with success. This book makes assessment both manageable and useful in improving and enhancing student learning." Martha L. A. Stassen, director of assessment, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and president, New England Educational Assessment Network (NEEAN) "Walvoord's work clearly presents the basics for getting started in assessment of student learning while honestly addressing the complexities of assessment when driven by faculty passion for student learning. This book is a valuable resource for the novice as well as the developing experts who are leading their institutions in academic assessment." Bobbi Allen, faculty assessment director, Delta College




Designing Better Engineering Education Through Assessment


Book Description

This book is written for engineering faculty and department chairs as a practical guide to improving the assessment processes for undergraduate and graduate engineering education in the service of improved student learning. It is written by engineering faculty and assessment professionals who have many years of experience in assessment of engineering education and of working with engineering faculty. The book reflects the emphasis placed on student outcomes assessment by ABET, Inc., the organization that accredits most U.S. engineering, computer science and technology programs, as well as providing substantial equivalency evaluations to international engineering programs. The book begins with a brief overview of assessment theory and introduces readers to key assessment resources. It illustrates–through practical examples that reflect a wide range of engineering disciplines and practices at both large and small institutions, and along the continuum of students’ experience, from first year to capstone engineering courses through to the dissertation–how to go about applying formative and summative assessment practices to improve student learning at the course and program levels. For most institutions, assessment of graduate education is new; therefore, there are readers who will be particularly interested in the chapters and examples related to graduate education. This book concludes with a vision for the future of assessment for engineering education. The authors cover five basic themes:· Use of assessment to improve student learning and educational programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels· Understanding and applying ABET criteria to accomplish differing program and institutional missions· Illustration of evaluation/assessment activities that can assist faculty in improving undergraduate and graduate courses and programs· Description of tools and methods that have been demonstrated to improve the quality of degree programs and maintain accreditation· Identification of methods for overcoming institutional barriers and challenges to implementing assessment initiatives.




Sport Coach Education, Development, and Assessment


Book Description

Sport Coach Education, Development, and Assessment offers a range of coach assessment ideas and practices from leaders in the coach education and development field. A combination of theory- and practice-focused chapters aims to stimulate thoughts, dialogue, and actions. Sport coaches play an increasingly important role in delivering positive outcomes through sport for individuals, groups, and societies at large. It is understandable, therefore, that attention is increasingly being directed towards how coaches are supported in their roles. Perhaps the most dominant support mechanism is large-scale coach education programmes. These professional development opportunities invite coaches to participate in a learning experience which typically involves exposure to new ideas, opportunities to practice, and an assessment. Much has been said and written about the extent to which these programmes are effective and the degree to which they contribute to coach learning, or not. These discussions typically reference the learning environment, nature of the curriculum, and report coaches’ experiences. However, lacking in these discussions is any deliberation over coach assessment, as a consistent feature of nearly all of these programmes, the world over. This book reflects a very deliberate attempt to platform and promote the issue of coach assessment. This book is designed to offer support and guidance to sport coaches who are engaged in assessment, coach educators/developers who are delivering assessment activities, and programme designers/policy architects who are creating learning opportunities for coaches.