1. A TALE OF TWO METHODS: COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF FACE- TO-FACE AND ONLINE LEARNING National Institute on the Assessment of Adult Learning 2011: Virtual Assessment. Real Outcomes. Yuerong Sweetland, PhD – Director of Assessment, Franklin University

2. Presentation Overview  Institutional Context and Background  Assessment Model and Process  Case Studies  Closing the Loop  Questions & Answers

3. Background (1)  Founded in 1902 as the YMCA School of Commerce  Accrediting bodies: HLC and IACBE  Adult students  Undergraduate Average Age: 33  Graduate Average Age: 35

4. Background (2)  First online courses offered 1998  As of Fall 2010, Franklin  Offers 28 undergraduate majors & 4 graduate majors, available both f2f and online  More than 11,000 students enrolled annually  Multiple Locations: Domestic and International

5. Online vs. F2F Trend (1)

6. Education Philosophy  Ensuring academic quality  Providing access to educational opportunities  Adapting to the needs of students  Responding to changes in society, professions, and the business community

7. Academic Model  Centralized academic model  Curriculum development: Team-based approach  Fulltime faculty  Design faculty  Content contributor  Adjunct

8. Cascading Systems of Outcomes Module Outcomes Course Outcomes Program Outcomes

9. Assessment Assessment - the “systemic collection, review and use of information about academic programs for improving student learning and development.” Each Academic Program has an Assessment Plan, which identifies outcomes, assessment methods, and implementation schedules

10. Assessment: Key Elements  Multi-faceted assessment model  Strong linkages between assessment and curriculum re-design  Streamlined process  Transparency to all stakeholders

11. Multi-faceted Assessment Model  Direct  Capstone projects  Selected course projects/assignments  E-Portfolios  Locally designed exams in capstone/other courses  Nationally normed exams (Proficiency Profile, MFT)  Indirect  Current student survey  Graduating student survey  Alumni survey  NSSE  Grades

12. Assessment Process Make Improvements Draft Assessment plans (Outcomes and assessment methods) Gather & Analyze Evidence Interpret and Discuss Assessment Findings

13. Assessment Artifacts Collection https://dropbox.franklin.edu/dropboxasmt/login.jsp

14. Assessment DropBox Interface

15. Examples: Direct Assessment (Undergraduate)

17. Examples: Indirect Assessment (Undergraduate)

20. Examples: Indirect Assessment (Graduate)

21. Closing the Loop…. Major impacts of assessment findings:  Curriculum Redesign  Informing hiring plans  Changes in assessment criteria  Changes in assignment requirements, supporting materials  Additional support services provided by the Student Learning Center

22. Questions or Comments? Dr. Yuerong Sweetland Liuy@franklin.edu A Tale of Two Methods: Comparative Assessment of Face-to- face and Online Learning