Course Assessment and Improvement
The Wilmette Institute evaluates each course to review quality and make necessary improvements. The end product of the evaluation is the “Course Evaluation Folder” which consists of the following documents:
Course Evaluation Report from Students - (Name of course, start date)
Course Statistical Report and Analysis
Course Completion Log
Instructor Self-assessment
“Course Evaluation Report from Students - (Name of course, start date)” - Students complete a course evaluation at the end of each course. The registrar consolidates results into a report and puts this report into the Course Evaluation Folder.
“Course Statistical Report and Analysis” - The Course Development Specialist compiles key statistics (mostly related to forum engagement) for each course and then puts this report into the Course Evaluation Folder.
“Course Completion Log” - Includes a final complete / incomplete assessment of each participant. This report comes from Moodle as a result of using the Activity Completion resource. The Course Development Specialist puts this report into the course evaluation folder.
“Instructor Self-Assessment” - The Director highlights and comments on this form, which is filled out by the instructor upon completion of the course, and includes ideas for improvement for the next course given by that instructor. The Director puts this report in two places: the Course Evaluation Folder for this course and in the human resources file for that instructor.
Procedure: The Registrar makes sure the folder is complete with all four reports. The Registrar shares the Course Evaluation Folder with the Director and the Course Assessment Team* who can attach their comments.
For all new courses, and In special cases (example incubator courses, courses that need a lot of improvement), the Director (or a person delegated by the Director) then holds a conference with the course instructor and teaching assistants in which recommendations from the Course Evaluation Team are discussed. In this meeting, the Director/delegate will also address best practices, lessons learned, and changes to consider for the course design and methodology. Resolutions from this conference call are shared with the instructor in writing and included in the Course Evaluation Folder. Also, discussion will be held about faculty availability and dates, potential new faculty, and teacher assistants for offering the course in the future. In case the meeting is not held, the Director will send an email to ask selected questions about the course and about future course offerings.
The Course Evaluation Folder and the Files for instructors are maintained by the Registrar.
Three months before a course is scheduled to begin, the Registrar shares the Course Evaluation Folder with the Academic Officer/Course Assessment Specialist who then meets with the instructor to discuss modifications to the upcoming iteration of the course, especially regarding learning outcomes and alignment of materials and activities to them, methodology and assessment. It is especially important for the Academic Officer/ Course Assessment Specialist to review with the instructor specific sections warranted by the outcome of the previous course evaluation process of the Guide for Course Developers and Instructors.
The instructor then works in a Google Doc with the Course Development Specialist on a new version of the course. This phase of course development focuses on the quantity of readings, accessibility standards, course organization, and editorial matters. Once there is agreement about the course proposal, the Course Development Specialist puts the course up into Moodle.
Additional input from students:
Students complete a learner self assessment upon completion of each course. It is not course specific. The results are reviewed once every six months by the registrar. She turns the results from the previous six months into a report and those results are compared to cumulative results. The report is called “Learner Self-Assessment Semester Report.” The report is shared with the Executive Committee every six months. The Executive Committee can take further action on these reports as it sees fit.
The Registrar and the Director propose a course schedule for the following year to the Executive Committee.
*Course Evaluation Team - Consists of 3 instructors designated by the Director, the Academic Officer/Course Assessment Specialist, and a WI administrator. Tasks include:
Review the Course Evaluation Folder for each course delivered.
Make recommendations for course improvements in writing that are added to the Course Evaluation Folder and shared with the instructor(s) and the Director.
Determine if a meeting is necessary between the Director and the instructor, or if the written recommendations are more appropriate.
Revised: 04/01/2022