How to Demonstrate Our Students Are Learning Using Assessment Methods Susan Chang, Ph.D.Associate DirectorCenter for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research

Discussion

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How do you know that your students are prepared for an exam?

Common Assessment Methods

Course Learning Objectives •  Critically evaluate the

research of other social scientists.

•  To apply ethical standards when designing research studies that involve human subjects.

•  Analyze both qualitative and quantitative data using computer software.

Course Assessments •  Two midterms and one final

exam with true/false, multiple choice, short answer

•  Quizzes •  Final group project

presentation •  Attendance •  Participation

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Assessments Driven by Outcomes

Clear, explicit learning

outcomes articulated for

the course

Learning Outcomes

Teaching and learning activities support students to achieve the learning outcomes

Activities

Assessment tasks allow studentsto demonstrate extent to which

learning outcomes achieved

Assessment

4

Student learning

Sum

mat

ive

Asse

ssm

ent(s

)

Feedback for instructor into classroom teaching

Assessment Cycle at the Course Level

5 Cross, K. P., and Angelo, T. A. (1993). Classroom assessment techniques: A handbook for college teachers. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA.

Formative assessments for student learning

Integrated Assessments

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For assessment to be: Informative about student learning,

informative to you about your teaching… a learning experience,

HAS TO BE: CANNOT BE:

Assessment

Course-level Assessment Planning Stages

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Continuous process of setting course objectives, collecting data, evaluating the data, and revising that affects students and your own teaching practices.

1 Clearly stated learning outcomes

2 Match assessment to teaching

3 Use different methods of measurement

4 Orient students to how learning outcomes are measured

5 Engage and encourage students

6 Systematically interpret assessment results

7 Evaluate outcomes of your assessments

8 Make improvements to your course

Learning Outcome #1

Learning Outcome #2

Learning Outcome #3

Learning Outcome #4

Learning Outcome #5

Example Course Assessment Plan

Summative

Formative

Both Summative and Formative

Exam

#1

Fina

l Res

earc

h Pa

per

Fina

l Res

earc

h Pr

esen

tatio

n

Exam

#2

Rese

arch

Pap

er O

utlin

e

Rese

arch

Pap

er D

raft

Prio

r Kno

wle

dge

Asse

ssm

ent

A1

A2

A3

A6

A4

A2

A5

SEMESTER WEEK

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KNOWING WHAT KNOWING HOW KNOWING WHEN ≠ ≠

DeclarativeKnowledge

Knowledge of facts and concepts that can be stated or declared

ProceduralKnowledge

Knowledge of how to use various methods, approaches, procedures, theories

ContextualKnowledge

Knowledge of when to apply various methods, approaches, procedures, theories

Knowledge Types

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ASSE

SSM

ENT

MET

HO

D/

KN

OW

LED

GE

TYPE

D

ecl

Proc

C

on

Assessment Categories D

ESC

RIP

TIO

N

EVAL

UAT

ION

Selected response and short answer (multiple choice, T/F, matching, short answer, fill-in blank)

Students select correct or best response from provided list.

Either right or wrong

Extended written response (compare literature, analyze artwork, interpret music, solve math problem, describe scientific principle)

Students construct written answer in response to a question or task

Rubrics, points earned

Performance assessment (music recital, foreign language speech, research paper, lab report, art work)

Students demonstrate learning, mastery of knowledge and skills

Faculty observation and judgment of quality evaluated using rubrics, points earned

Personal communication (reading/responding to journals, class discussion, oral exams)

Students interact with faculty through informal settings

Immediate reactions in the classroom; rubrics, points earned

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Activity: Worksheet I

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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME Declarative Procedural ContextualSelected

ResponseExtended Written

ResponsePerformance Assessment

Personal Communication

1. � � � � � � �

2. � � � � � � �

3. � � � � � � �

4. � � � � � � �

5. � � � � � � �

HOW TO DEMONSTRATE OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING USING ASSESSMENT METHODSOctober 21 and 22, 2013

Aligning Student Learning Outcomes with Assessment Methods

KNOWLEDGE TYPE ASSESSMENT METHOD

Activity: Worksheet II

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Learning Outcome #1

Learning Outcome #2

Learning Outcome #3

Learning Outcome #4

Learning Outcome #5

Summative

Formative

Both Summative and Formative

SEMESTER WEEK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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www.northeastern.edu/learningresearch