Learning Goals at

St. John Fisher College

Peter J. Gray, Ph.D.Director of Academic Assessment

United States Naval Academy

May 2004

A higher education institution’s purpose

is to provide instruction that produces learning.

The test of an institution’s quality is the success of its students.

Faculty Ownership

It is essential for faculty to have a sense of ownership of the assessment process…

so that faculty maintain a commitment over time and to be certain that the results are utilized and make a difference.

Administrative Support

Assessment programs need strong leadership...

so that they remain flexible and adaptable to changing needs and are not merely ad hoc efforts.

improvement

Assessment Process

teaching &learning

evaluation

Assessment Questions

What should students learn from

our educational programs and

experiences?

How can we document and evaluate

the quality of our teaching and of our

students’ achievement?

What changes should we make to

improve teaching and learning?

Defining Learning Outcomes

Reviewing existing standards & documents

Assessing student work and achievement

Identifying hopes and expectations

Defining Learning Outcomes

Reviewing existing standards & documents mission statements

accreditation criteria

learning goals and objectives

program curricula and course syllabi

learning inventories

Categories of Outcomes

Discipline specific knowledge,

comprehension, and understanding

Higher order thinking skills

College-level thinking skills

General education and liberal studies goals

Professional and career development goals

Personal growth and development goals

Mapping Teaching and Learning

Learning Outcomes

Learning Experiences

Discipline Specific

Higher Order Thinking

College-level Thinking

General Education

Professional and Career

Development

Personal Growth and Development

Certainly some learning is difficult,

even impossible to measure.

But is does not follow that useful

and meaningful assessment is

impossible.

Sources of Information Course assignments

Projects, products, portfolios, & performances

Written examinations & standardized tests

Oral presentations, interviews, & discussions

Simulations, case studies, & field work

Surveys & questionnaires

Institutional research regarding enrollment, retention, & placement

Use of Assessment Results

Answers important questions about teaching and learning

Makes maximum use of existing sources and methods of gathering information about student learning

Takes into account the institution’s mission and strategic plan as well as external regional and professional accreditation requirements

Assessment Plan Describe intended student learning in

relationship to educational programs and activities

Develop questions about teaching and learning

Identify relevant sources of information and evaluation techniques to answer questions

Collect, analyze, and interpret data

Set priorities for the design and implementation of improvements based on results

The Goal

Assessment should be

meaningful

manageable,

and sustainable.

The Program Assessment Consultation Team (PACT)California State University, Bakersfield, 1999.

Learning Goals at Fisher

What have we done?

Where do we need to be?

What can we accomplish today?