Philosophy
for Assessment of Student Learning at Augsburg College
Assessment of student learning at Augsburg College is an integral part of the ongoing process of enhancing and improving curricular and co-curricular student learning. It is informed by the College's mission and vision statement. Departments and programs in the Academic and Student Affairs Division determine student learning objectives and then systematically gather, document, analyze, and interpret evidence of student learning. Assessment is one way that departments and programs affirm their strengths and plan improvements that contribute to the College's overall effectiveness.
1/29/04
"How do we know what it is that we do so well?" attributed to Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, Montana, by Douglas J. Eder. "Some of the Best Things Anybody Ever Said About Assessment." 2005 National Assessment Conference. Purdue University at Indianapolis. 24 October 2005.
A summary and interpretation of the Spring 2005 Faculty/Staff responses to the Spring 2005 Assessment of Student Learning Survey can be found here. 9/05
This link directs you to the Assessment folder in the Orgs Augnet directory. It is accessible only to those who have an Augnet password.
Note: This link will not work for Mac users using Internet Explorer. Instead, Mac users should use Safari or Mozilla to access this link. If you have access to no other browswer than Internet Explorer, you can access the plans by accessing the Augnet Org directory and going to the subfolder Committees >AQIP >public.
Assessment Director
Bridget Robinson-Riegler has been appointed to serve as the College’s Assessment Director. In a plan approved by the Assessment Committee, Bridget will serve as an assessment consultant to the departments and programs in the Academic and Student Affairs Division. She also will assist Barbara Edwards Farley in meeting the requirements of the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). 9/04
Assessment Consultants
Doug Green, Mike Schock, Su Doree, and Lois Olson have been appointed to serve as Assessment Consultants. Their primary role will be to act as consultants to the Assessment Director in the following areas: 1) Humanities and Fine Arts, 2) Graduate and Professional Studies, 3) Natural Sciences and Mathematics and Social and Behavioral Sciences, and 4) Academic and Students Affairs curricular and co-curricular support programs. 9/04
What is assessment of student learning? measures both direct and indirect, used to evaluate student learning in order to change, improve, and enhance student learning and the college experience. In doing so, the College provides accountability measures to serve the internal need of the College and in meeting requirements of external agencies. http://www.ozarka.edu/assessment/glossary.cfm(back to Assessment Jumpstart)
Why should we do assessment of student learning?
Typically as educators we assess student learning to determine if our teaching is effective. The development of students' skills, talents, knowledge and thinking extends beyond individual educator's efforts in a single experience. Students at Augsburg develop throughout a multi-year, multi-experiential learning community. Students may learn specific concepts or procedures in a course or co-curricular activity, but how is their learning deepened throughout their stay at Augsburg? If we assess students throughout a major or program, then we are better able to make program level changes that will benefit student learning. (back to Assessment Jumpstart)
How do we assess student learning?
There are several models for assessing student learning. Some models are based on goals set by departments or outside accreditaion agencies. Evidence for how students learning objectives are met is provided. These models are often used by professional studies programs.
Other models are project-based assessment. Evidence on an area of concern or an area of perceived strength is collect and interpreted. Decisions of change are based on the evidence. This model is sometimes used by smaller programs with fewer resources and want to focus on one or two areas at a time. An example is a program who wants to explore how their students' professional writing skills improve. The exploration may consist of noting where professional writing basics are developed and where the are supported throught a major. It may be determined that by the time of the keystone course, the students are professionally strong writers - so little change to the program would be called for. Or it may be the case tat by the time of the keystone course, the students are struggling with professional writing because they have not had enough experience throughout the program. With this evidence, a program might reevalutate where to incorporate developmental professional writing skills.
What is the role of Augsburg's Assessment Committee and the Assessment Consultants? As stated in the Faculty Handbook,
"The Assessment Committee will:
Oversee the assessment of student learning in College academic programs,
Coordinate the assessment of student learning in College co-curricular programs,
Give advice regarding:
Developing and implementing assessment plans;
Involving faculty, staff and students in assessment;
Identifying and recommending resources the College needs to successfully conduct assessment;
Monitoring implementation and changes in assessment plans; and
Organizing workshops/activities for exchange of assessment ideas and for updates of department assessment plans."
The Assessment Consultants focus on specific divisions in the college. They consult the Assessment Director about the needs and progress of the programs in their division. Consultants also are available to help divisions and programs in their assessment efforts by providing resources and sharing ideas from other programs within Augsburg as well as outside of the college. (back to Assessment Jumpstart)
Is AQIP the same thing as assessment of student learning?
No. AQIP is the Academic Quality Improvement Program. The program "infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities by providing an alternative process through which an already-accredited institution can maintain its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. With AQIP, an institution demonstrates it meets accreditation standards and expectations through sequences of events that align with those ongoing activities that characterize organizations striving to improve their performance." http://www.aqip.org/02/16/06
Assessment of Student Learning is one part (a major part) of the AQIP process that is evaluated by the Higher Learning Commission. More about AQIP and the 9 categories that are assessed can be found in the Ausburg AQIP Systems Portfolio. (back to Assessment Jumpstart)
Last updated April 19, 2006.
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