Education Commons^™

Transforming Data Into Information, Gloria Rogers

Assessment in Action Conference

Data are collected but how do we transform the data to meaningful information that can be used to improve student learning. A case study will be used to explore the criteria for an assessment plan that will lead to actionable information.

Using Data To Tell Your Story, Kristen Mckinney

Assessment in Action Conference

We are increasingly faced with a dizzying array of options for how to display data. How do we make informed choices about what will really aid the user in telling a compelling story versus those that are just “pretty”? This session will review aspects of visual perception that influence how we process visual information, as well as discuss the messages conveyed by various visual displays and how to select options that best aid the reader in understanding key data points.

Honing In On What To Measure, Kristen Mckinney

Assessment in Action Conference

Institutional and departmental outcomes are framed in necessarily broad terms as we articulate the key values and goals of our work. Bridging the gap between those broad outcomes and more tailored and measurable program and service specific outcomes can be difficult. This session will present some ideas and strategies for developing outcomes and guide participants through the process of drafting outcomes for their own programs.

Assessment As Ally: Focusing On What Matters, Gloria Rogers

Assessment in Action Conference

Too many times, the assessment of student learning becomes an exercise of futility where faculty time is squandered and the result is many data and no information that is useful for the improvement of student learning. When properly understood and implemented, the assessment process can provide meaningful results that inform faculty about the achievement of outcomes, the alignment of the curriculum, and what can be done to improve student learning. Topics which will be discussed are the importance of well‐defined outcomes, curriculum mapping, the development of systematic processes, and reporting results for action.

Western Michigan University 2017 Assessment Conference, Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment in Action Conference

Included here is the schedule and session descriptions from the 8th Annual WMU Assessment Conference held on March 17, 2017. The conference, sponsored by the Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies at Western Michigan University, is a one-day event where those new to outcomes assessment can come and learn fundamental knowledge about the field, but it is also a place where those who have worked as leaders in outcomes assessment can come and extend their knowledge and skills and network with colleagues. Conference offerings included learning opportunities on various assessment topics for both academic and student supports units.

Reconnecting With “Why” To Move Beyond Assessment Sticking Points, Kristen Mckinney

Assessment in Action Conference

We have made great steps forward in developing assessment infrastructure on our campuses, but often find ourselves still struggling with really making use of the data we collect. Assessment can feel like a chore rather than something that truly has meaning for our work. In this session, Dr. McKinney will discuss how re‐connecting assessment with our core goals and purposes can help refocus our energy and attention in ways that help us use data more effectively to tell our story.

Student Learning Outcomes: Tools, Planning, And Contribution To Institutional Goals, Kathy Collins

Assessment in Action Conference

On our campuses, students spend a significant amount of time outside of the formal classroom. What are we doing to creatively think about capturing this learning and evaluating it to enhance the student experience? There are numerous ways to develop assessment plans, tools, and learning outcomes to provide evidence of student learning. Even more important is preparing and supporting quality professionals in the field to do quality assessment work.

Student Employment: Incorporating Learning On The Job, Kathy Collins

Assessment in Action Conference

Evaluations of a student's performance are often a required part of one's development. More importantly, they are an important part of a student's learning experience. This session will explore the creation of learning outcomes and tracking tools for student employment experiences across higher education.

Writing Observable And Measurable Learning Outcomes, Eli Collins-Brown

Assessment in Action Conference

This session will show how to write learning outcomes that are useful to the student and essential for faculty who want to improve student learning and assessment in their courses. Writing observable and measurable outcomes is not a difficult task once you learn the process to follow. By the end of this session, participants will be able to distinguish between content, learning activities and learning outcomes and apply the three-step process for writing observable and measurable learning outcomes.

Are We There Yet? Assessing Our Progress In Assessment, Katharine Cummings

Assessment in Action Conference

This session will present a descriptive continuum to help determine progress in creating and implementing an assessment system. Attendees will have the opportunity to use the continuum to assess their own department's progress as well as to refine the descriptions included in the continuum.

From Artifact To Assessment To Evaluation-Closing The Loop In Continuous Improvement, Julia Williams

Assessment in Action Conference

As faculty, we understand well the process by which we assess students and provide them with feedback on their work; in this way, we "close the loop" in order for students to learn and improve. The same process of assessment and feedback characterize the institutional improvement loop; by collecting and analyzing a variety of data, we can make informed decisions in order to make improvements. The challenge is to understand how classroom assessment activities map and can support continuous improvement at the program and institutional levels. In this workshop, we will explore multiple classroom assessment techniques in order to understand …

Making Academic Change Happen-Any Way We Can?, Julia Williams

Assessment in Action Conference

Within the higher education community, there are repeated calls for changing the way we educate our students. And yet, despite the development of research-based teaching strategies, innovative co-curricular projects, and many years of funding and development from a variety of foundations and corporations, change in higher education is not pervasive. The lack of systemic change points to an important problem with the approach to change that the higher education community has pursued thus far. Current change approaches have not fostered the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) in motivation, communication, collaboration, and persuasion that are the foundation for change on …

Western Michigan University Assessment In Action Conference 2016, Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment in Action Conference

Included here is the schedule from the 7th Annual WMU Assessment in Action Conference 2016. The conference, sponsored by the Office of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies at Western Michigan University, is a one-day event where those new to outcomes assessment can come and learn fundamental knowledge about the field, but it is also a place where those who have worked as leaders in outcomes assessment can come and extend their knowledge and skills and network with colleagues. Conference offerings included learning opportunities on various assessment topics for both academic and student supports units.

Let's Talk About Assessment!, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

This presentation was from the plenary session at the Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference 2015 which took place on Friday, April 3. The session was an interactive discussion highlighting some of the main topics of assessment. Attendees were asked to respond to various questions regarding assessment issues using clickers and each question was followed by a group discussion of the results. The session also laid the framework for the sessions presented at the conference that day.

Student Support Unit Assessment Panel, Anne Lundquist, Kate Bates, Laura Darrah, Dianna E. Sachs

Assessment in Action Conference

Staff in 3 Student Support Units at Western Michigan University shared information and lessons learned during this panel session at the Western Michigan University Assessment in Action Conference 2015:

¨ Laura Darrah, Residence Life: Using National Benchmark Data for Affirmation, Improvement and Change

¨ Diana Sachs, University Libraries: Direct and Indirect Assessment Initiatives, including studies of student and faculty satisfaction, learning, and perception of library resources and services.

¨ Chris Sligh and Kate Bates, Student Activities and Leadership Programs: Sharing Outcomes and Results: Using Assessment to Tell Your Story

Using Assessment To Improve Teaching And Learning, Amy Bentz

Assessment in Action Conference

In this session, there was a discussion regarding the differences between formative and summative assessments, as well as how to utilize both types of assessment strategies to improve learning and teaching. Best practices were be shared and specific examples were provided. Participants left the session with multiple assessment techniques that could be utilized in the classroom.

Assessment Resources: How Do I Find The Help I Need?, Karen Stokes Chapo

Assessment in Action Conference

If you are searching for best practices for assessment and/or education and assistance with all things pertaining to assessment of student learning, this session will show you where to find some reliable and useful online resources including information about local assessment conferences.

Writing Your Student Support Unit Assessment Plan: Tips, Techniques, And Resources, Anne Lundquist, Cari Robertson

Assessment in Action Conference

Working on your student support unit assessment plan? Want some guidance on how to get started, keep moving, or wrap it up? We will share tips, suggestions and ideas for any phase of the process. We will also highlight best practices from other institutions.

Academic Unit Assessment Panel, Betsy Aller, James Cousins, Barbara Sagara

Assessment in Action Conference

Three assessment practitioners at Western Michigan University will discuss their experiences with assessment activities, successes, and lessons learned, with time for Q&A.

You've Collected Tons Of Assessment Data, Now What?, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

The early results of Academic Program Planning at Western Michigan University in 2015 indicate that many units within the university are having some issues with closing the assessment loop. Data is gathered and reported, but often times, program improvements are not the result of data analysis. This session discussed how we can keep our eye on the assessment prize, continuous improvement.

Rubrics: The Good, The Great And The Awesome, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

The basic contents of a good rubric will be discussed, as well as the versatility of rubrics. The session will spend some time on rubric calibration and introduce how rubrics can be used for both grading and assessment.

Writing Observable And Measurable Learning Objectives, Eli Collins-Brown

Assessment in Action Conference

This session will show participants how to write learning objectives (or outcomes) that are useful to the student and essential for faculty who want to improve student learning and assessment in their courses. Writing observable and measurable outcomes is not a difficult task once you learn the process to follow. By the end of this session, participants will be able to distinguish between content, learning activities and learning objectives and apply the three-step process for writing observable and measurable learning objectives.

Western Michigan University Assessment In Action Conference 2015, Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment in Action Conference

No abstract provided.

Western Michigan University Assessment In Action Day Conference 2014, Office Of Assessment And Undergraduate Studies

Assessment in Action Conference

No abstract provided.

Instituting A Proactive Risk Assessment Model: The Promise And Peril Of Predictive Approaches To Student Success, John Chew, Kevin Knutson, Edwin A. Martini

Assessment in Action Conference

In this session, the presenters, (all from the College of Arts and Sciences at WMU), describe a pilot project that attempts to predict the likelihood of student persistence based on a variety of factors, including non-cognitive assessment. Led by a graduate assistant who designed the survey tool and analyzed the data, they discussed the pros and cons of such an approach and the benefits of doing such work for the professional development of graduate students.

Helpful And Reliable Assessment Resources, David S. Reinhold, Karen Stokes Chapo

Assessment in Action Conference

This document is the handout that was given to participants at the WMU Assessment in Action Day Conference 2014 who attended the concurrent session entitled, "Helpful and Reliable Assessment Resources". The presentation was given by David Reinhold, the Associate Provost for Assessment and Undergraduate Studies at Western Michigan University and Karen Stokes Chapo, the Assessment Programs Specialist at WMU. These are just a few of what Dave and Karen find to be helpful web resources on the topic of student learning outcomes assessment.

It's Hard To Hit A Moving Target: Establishing Clear Learning Objectives, Diane Rogers

Assessment in Action Conference

Are you getting the results that you want from your students? Do students know what you expect? Establishing and communicating clear learning outcomes from the beginning of a course can help to both improve the quality of student work and positively impact learning. This session will focus on writing clear learning and assessment expectations for academic courses and discuss strategies for implementing the outcomes in your course.

How Mature Is Your Assessment?, David S. Reinhold

Assessment in Action Conference

Included here is the PowerPoint presentation used during the plenary session at WMU Assessment in Action Day 2014. The session was an interactive session that allowed participants to determine how robust their assessment activities are in their units based upon answers to a series of questions developed by Karen Ann Tarnoff at East Tennessee State University. A short discussion period followed each question to allow attendees to comment on the questions. Cumulative results of the group were used to determine the maturity of assessment at WMU.

Assessment, Accreditation And Compliance: The Three Musketeers Or The Three Stooges?, Jody Brylinsky

Assessment in Action Conference

This presentation describes how assessment, accreditation and compliance fit together, in particular how they influence WMU’s strategic planning initiatives. While these three academic responsibilities work in concert to support the common goal of quality higher education, they often do so in some unusual ways? The purposeful connections and comedy of their relationship will be explored with illustrations from WMU pathway to reaccreditation in 2020.

Beyond Satisfaction: Assessing (Learning And Other) Outcomes In Co-Curricular Areas, Kate Bates, Anne Lundquist, Cari Robertson, Ewa Urban, Chris Voss

Assessment in Action Conference

Most student support areas are fairly adept at designing surveys to capture satisfaction data. While important, there are other types of assessment that require our attention, not only so that we can impact student learning and improve programs and services for students and other constituents, but as an essential aspect of meeting revised Higher Learning Commission accreditation standards. This workshop will provide information about the various definitions and approaches to assessing student learning and operational outcomes in co-curricular areas and offer specific examples from four student affairs areas that may be applicable to other units on campus.