Jodi Levine Laufgraben Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Assessment Temple University Staying Smart: Strategies For Moving Forward With Assessment

Goals for Today Review the challenges of getting started and maintaining momentum for assessing student learning Discuss strategies for supporting programs and faculty in the assessment of student learning Identify ways to advance assessment on your campus Consider how you can begin using these strategies on your campus Objectives

The Teaching-Learning-Assessment Cycle Learning Opportunities Learning Goals Using Results Assessment

I have a question… What challenges do you face in moving assessment forward on your campus? Send in your examples via chat.

Common Challenges Missing motivator Limited resources Time People Tools Leadership changes Changing priorities

Are you S.M.A.R.T ? Maintaining momentum with the assessment of student learning requires campuses to stay smart: S = Showcase success M = Maintain relationships A = Assess, assess, assess R = Report T = Train

S howcase Success Signal that assessment is valued Make sure assessment is used Highlight student and faculty work Help generate energy and new ideas for assessment

Places to Showcase Annual assessment day or workshop Presentations Poster sessions Assessment committee meetings School, college of department meetings Virtual Assessment newsletters / updates Assessment websites

M aintain Relationships Recognize the assessment “Danielle Do-ers” Engage the “Might Try it Morgans” Bring along the “Unwilling Ursulas”

I have a question… Do you have a Danielle, Morgan or Ursula on your campus? For one or more of these types, describe what the person is doing to either advance or impede assessment. Send in your examples via chat.

Maintain Relationships Danielle: Recognize the work (Showcase!) Invite to help or train others Ask how you might help Ask for suggestions on how to improve process

Maintain Relationships Morgan Provide training Build on existing efforts or work in progress Share examples of “Morgans” that became “Danielles” Ask how you might help

Maintain Relationships Ursula: Uncover the sources of resistance Creatively find sources of motivation Share the stories of others Find the right person to help Take baby steps Move on

Questions / Comments

A ssess, Assess, Assess Keep assessment in the headlines Set expectations for annual assessment activity Have structures and timelines Provide ongoing training and support Build assessment into other, ongoing processes

Embedding Assessment Accreditation Program reviews Curriculum review and program development Budget / facilities planning Academic planning Annual reports (“state of the school”) Recruitment (of students and faculty) Use assessment reports to highlight program achievement Show commitment to improvement

I have a question… Where are some places where you ask programs to discuss or use results of assessment of student learning? Send in your examples via chat.

R eport Track assessment planning and assessment activity Close the loop – USE IT! “Require” some document that describes results and intended uses Respond

Checklists / Audits Help identify where programs are with planning Easy way to identify a unit or program’s needs for improvement Provide quick assessment of how you are doing across the institution Example: Fairleigh Dickinson University

Assessment Templates Goal Opportunity Tool Findings Use Tell an assessment story… Example:

T rain Go beyond “assessment 101” Use your own experts Provide examples and samples Ask what people most need or are interested in Provide different types of resources ASSESSMENT

Just Ask…

Training / Information Resources Websites Articles Workshops Webinars Create your own toolbox / library Surveys Rubrics

I have a question… Where do you want to focus in terms of getting SMART with assessment on your campus? Create a showcase opportunity (S) Reach out to a “Morgan” or “Ursula” (M) Embed assessment into another process (A) Set reporting expectations (R) Develop a new training opportunity (T) Via chat submit the letter indicating where you might focus next.

Resources Books Assessing Student Learning: A Common Sense Guide, 2nd Edition by Linda Suskie, Wiley, 2009 Assessment Clear and Simple: A Practical Guide for Institutions, Departments, and General Education, 2nd Edition, by Barbara E. Walvoord, Wiley, 2010 Effective Grading: A Tool for Learning and Assessment in College, 2nd Edition by Barbara E. Walvoord, Virginia Johnson Anderson, Wiley, 2009 Assessing Student Learning in General Education: Good Practice Case Studies, by Marilee Bresciani (ed.), Wiley, 2007 Assessment Update (Journal) Wiley Publications (subscription)

More Resources Online Sources

Questions / Comments

Thank you Jodi Levine Laufgraben Thank you for your participation!