Virtual Assessment Week 2021
Want insights on how to approach assessment right now? Have questions about assessment? Need a refresher on program and DDC assessment as we slowly move back towards normal university functioning?
Assessment Week has you covered with both synchronous and asynchronous sessions for your informational needs, paired with moderated Slack discussions for your questions and need for connection!
5 Ways to Connect
However you like to connect, we hope you find useful tips and thoughtful ideas in the following content.
Learn about using Canvas for DDC Outcomes or Hear about how two programs are thinking about ASSESSING ONLINE VS. IN PERSON in live sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:00, Noon.
Ask questions about asynchronous content like the resources on closing the loop and assessment grants, or continue the conversation from a live session.
Watch a video about building narratives or listen to recordings from the Co-Curricular Assessment subcommittee about assessing student learning outside of the classroom.
Does a session have you thinking? Want to connect with other people on campus thinking about assessment too? Add a thought in the new Slack channel.
Stop into open hours throughout the week to talk to Jess LaGrange about ANYTHING assessment related!
Content for asynchronous sessions will be added on March 15th.
Using Assessment Grants to Fund Assessment Projects
Assessment grants provide the resources to move forward with your program’s assessment goals. Programs on campus have already used assessment grants to re-design shared assessment tools, gather and analyze assessment data on specific aspects of their programs, design protocols for continuous assessment, and much more. Peruse the asynchronous materials, and then discuss with us or ask questions in Slack! (For a current example of what you can do with an Assessment Grant, also check out the presentations in the synchronous session on Online vs. In-Person Assessment Planning).
** Moderated Slack discussion on Friday, March 19 from 9:00am-12:00pm**
Presentation slides about what assessment grants are, what they can be used for, and what you need to know to submit an application.
Building Assessment Narratives
Assessment data gives us a series of snapshots of student learning in our programs. But what does that data actually tell us? In this asynchronous session, work through materials that help you think about the “story” your assessment data can tell you, and how you can plan, gather, and analyze assessment data through a structured narrative to better understand and communicate your findings. Join colleagues in a moderated Slack discussion on this topic, too, if you would like!
** Moderated Slack discussion on Thursday, March 18 from 1:00pm- 4:00pm**
This webinar facilitated by Natasha Jankowski, Executive Director of NILOA and NILOA Coaches Brad Mello, Chair of the Communications Department at Saint Xavier University, and Joe Levy, Executive Director of Assessment and Accreditation at National Louis University, provides resources on how to think about and plan for telling a story of learning to specific target audience. Presenters will provide institutional examples of evidence-based storytelling, as well as guidance on communicating in a time of crisis and tips on messaging assessment efforts to faculty and staff.
Dr. Natasha Jankowski, NILOA Executive Director, Dr. Ruth Slotnick, NILOA Coach and Director of Assessment at Bridgewater State University (BSU), and Christina Ouellette, Graduate Assistant in the Office of Assessment at BSU, discuss the role of transparency in student learning, communication about programmatic design, and processes and practices at institutions working to convey information of student learning in a clear and coherent manner to different audience(s). The importance of transparency to students and student voice in the process are explored through the example of the transparency project at Bridgewater State University. The webinar concludes with institutional strategies and considerations for transparency in a time of COVID-19.
Closing the Loop
Refresh your approach to “Closing the Loop” in this asynchronous session. Gain insights on how you can use student assessment data to identify program strengths and weaknesses, thoughtfully and rigorously improve your program, and make a well-supported case for what your program needs to support student learning. Work through the asynchronous material on your own, then join a Slack discussion to raise questions and share your ideas about “Closing-the-Loop.”
** Moderated Slack discussion on Thursday, March 18 from 1:00pm- 4:00pm**
Presentation slides from a workshop given by Jessica LaGrange from Fall 2018. The intended outcomes of the workshop slides are:
- Review the purpose and value of student learning data
- Explore questions to consider while analyzing student learning data
- Review possible ways to support program improvement and effectiveness with student learning data
This video describes techniques for using assessment results in order to enhance student learning and/or development. Dr. Hathcoat addresses two errors when making decisions about educational programs, the black box of assessment practice, as well as the underlying logic of assessment and suggests that understanding these issues allow us to effectively close the assessment loop.
Co-Curricular Assessment
Listen or watch a series of pre-recorded videos by members of the Co-Curricular Assessment Subcommittee that walk through each step of the co-curricular assessment process from developing student learning or program outcomes to analyzing and using assessment data with examples from different units across campus.
** Moderated Slack discussion on Tuesday, March 16 from 2:00pm- 4:00pm**
The Co-Curricular Assessment Subcommittee has developed a short video series that each focus on a different aspect of co-curricular assessment:
- Developing Student Learning or Program Outcomes - Nadine Anderson
- Program Planning & Assessment - Ali Pavlicek
- Mapping Outcomes & Assessment (Filling Out the Plan) - Jessica LaGrange
- Using Assessment Data - John Taylor
Using Canvas for DDC Assessment, 12:00 - 1:00pm -- live Zoom session
Canvas makes it possible to gather program and DDC assessment data on learning outcomes directly in assignment rubrics. High-enrolled DDC courses will be using this functionality to streamline data collection. In this session, learn how to set-up and use this Canvas function. Come to the synchronous session or work through the asynchronous technical walkthrough on your own, and then discuss with us or ask questions in Slack! Session will be recorded and available by 4:00pm.
** Moderated Slack discussion on Friday, March 19 from 9:00am-12:00pm**
Online vs. In-Person Assessment Planning, 12:00 - 1:00pm -- live Zoom session
In this fully synchronous session, two programs (POL and MPAP) will briefly present how they have used campus Assessment Grants to compare learning outcomes and assessment across in-person and online courses. A Hub Instructional Designer will present ideas on how to design assessments that work for courses that run sections both face-to-face and online. We’ll end the session with a live Q&A. For those who can’t make it live, the session will be recorded and we’ll have a Slack discussion later in the week!
** Moderated Slack discussion on Friday, March 19 from 9:00am-12:00pm**
Open Zoom Hours for Q/A about Assessment or Program Assessment Reports, 8:30am-10:30am
Program Assessment reports are due this May. This deadline holds for programs that delayed their biannual assessment reports from 2020, as well as programs scheduled for biannual assessment reports for 2021. Join these live Q&A sessions to make sure you understand what is expected from your program this year, and for help on how to approach your program assessment report.
Moderated Slack Discussions: Asynchronous Content, 1:00-4:00pm
Join the Slack channel
Join members of the Assessment Subcommittee, other faculty members, or staff to talk about any of the asynchronous materials you have had a chance to look through during the week. Ask a question about closing the loop actions or how to use assessment better more effectively in your program!
Moderated Slack Discussions: Live Sessions, 9:00am-12:00pm
Join the Slack channel
Join members of the Assessment Subcommittee, other faculty members, or staff to talk about the live sessions on using Canvas for DDC Assessment or Online vs. In Person Assessment Planning. Brainstorm with others how these could work for your program or courses!
Open Zoom Hours for Q/A about Assessment or Program Assessment Reports, 1:00-4:00pm
Program Assessment reports are due this May. This deadline holds for programs that delayed their biannual assessment reports from 2020, as well as programs scheduled for biannual assessment reports for 2021. Join these live Q&A sessions to make sure you understand what is expected from your program this year, and for help on how to approach your program assessment report.