Getting Started: The Assessment Process
Getting Started: The Assessment Process
The assessment process includes a series of methodical steps, with the overall goal of learning about student learning.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are what students are expected to know, value, and be able to do at the end of a course or program. These are created at the program level and taught within each section of a course.
SLOs should be written in measurable terms.
Assessment methods are used to collect evidence of student learning. These can include quizzes, assignments, portfolios, written papers, etc. It is recommended to aim for performance based methods when possible, i.e. demonstrate/perform the outcome instead of recalling information.
Assessment methods should be aligned with Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs).
It's important to have a plan to gather the evidence of student learning in an ongoing and systemic manner. Programs have different ways that they collect data from faculty about student learning.
Evidence of student learning can be examined and analyzed, with the goal of helping faculty make informed decisions about teaching and student learning.