Assessment of Student Learning Committee Minutes

September 15, 2008

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Minutes

Assessment of Student Learning Committee Meeting

September 15, 2008

2:00 p.m.

Boren Library Seminar B

Members Present: S. Bolin, P. Gasparro, A. Gillespie, D. Hamm, K. McBride,

P. Rutledge, L. Vickers

Guests:D. Chambers (substituting for S. McLaughlin),P. Cokeley

  1. Welcome guests new members and guests

The committee welcomed new members Dr. Paul Gasparro (VPAA), Amy Gillespie (HPER Division) and Dawna Hamm (Business and Information Systems Division).

The committee also welcomed Nursing and Health Science Division Chair Donna Chambers (substituting for Susan McLaughlin) and Business and Information Systems Division Chair Patricia Cokeley.

  1. Assessment of Student Learning Committee Membership List/Rotation Schedule

Larry Vickers distributed copies of the updated list and pointed out that it can be found on the Assessment of Student Learning web page. He also noted that over the last 10 years a great number of individuals from across campus have served on the committee.

  1. Assessment Web Page

Larry distributed copies of the Assessment of Student Learning web page and pointed out the areas that have been updated. He encouraged members to review the web page and inform their colleagues about what is available.

  1. ACT CAAP Test (2008)

The following dates have been set for the annual ACT CAAP Test. The test will be held in Haney Center Foundation Hall.

  1. Test Dates
  2. Tuesday, October 28: 9:25 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
  3. Wednesday, October 29: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  4. Make-Up Test Dates
  5. Tuesday, November 4: 9:25 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
  6. Wednesday, November 5: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Larry has requested enrollment and credit hour data from the MIS Department in order to determine which students will be selected to participate in the test. He indicated that plans are to select between 200 and 225 students who will have completed 45 or more credit hours by the end of the fall semester. Once the selection has been made, students and their instructors will be notified. In addition, he will be seeking volunteers from the faculty to help monitor the tests.

  1. Degree Assessment and Program Review Schedule

For information purposes, Larry distributed copies of the Degree Assessment and Program Review Schedule. He noted that the schedule is included in the Academic Assessment Plan and is on the Assessment of Student Learning web page.

  1. Remarks from Dr. Paul Gasparro, VPAA

Dr. Gasparro gave a quick overview of his thoughts about assessment. He noted the importance of assessment and expressed appreciation to the members for their willingness to serve on the committee. He pointed out that this shows their commitment to assessment.

He then discussed an online course satisfaction survey he developed and has used at other institutions. This survey uses seven questions to gather data on such areas as facilities, course materials, presentation of the material, and overall satisfaction with the course. It also provides an opportunity for students to make confidential comments concerning their responses. Dr. Gasparro indicated that this survey can be used to provide a quick assessment of student satisfaction for any course at any time.

He also discussed an online “Suggest a Course” form which allows students to make suggestions for courses they would like to see offered. In particular, they can suggest the semester, time, and day they would prefer to take a course. They can also make additional comments.

Dr. Gasparro provided the following website for committee members to review the surveys: ssc.ct-training.com. (I think it would be a good idea to share this website with your colleagues and ask them to review it as well. LV)

  1. Academic Assessment Plan FY09

Larry gave an overview of the Executive Summary. He noted that we addressed several critical issues during 2007-2008. In addition, he reviewed the critical issues to be addressed during 2008-2009. He pointed out the following major changes which were made to the FY 08 plan:

The Plan

  • The Executive Summary has been updated to include the critical issues addressed during 2007-2008 and the critical issues to be addressed for 2008-2009.
  • A description of the Assessment of Student Learning Committee has been added to Section IV (page 3).
  • References to where documents can be found in the Resources/Examples section have been updated throughout the document.
  • References to where documents can be found on the Assessment of Student Learning web page have been updated where appropriate.

Resources/Examples Section (Pages 18-57)

  • Course-embedded assessment options have been updated in the Course Syllabus Format (page 19).
  • The Degree Assessment and Program Review Schedule has been updated (page 21).
  • The Evaluation of General Education (2006) was replaced with the Evaluation of General Education (2007). This evaluation may be found on pages 28-54.

The committee then offered comments and suggestions. Kelli McBride pointed out that the first recommended website on page 6 is no longer available. That reference will be deleted. She also suggested information about the new survey for online courses should be included in the Course-Embedded Assessment Data Collection and Reporting Procedure listed on pages 8-9. She will provide a statement to be included.

Donna Chambers made the motion to approve the Academic Assessment Plan FY 09 with the revisions noted above. Kelli McBride seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

  1. Old business

There was no old business.

  1. New business

Larry reminded the committee of following meeting dates and times.

  1. Fall Meeting Dates (2:00 p.m.)
  2. September 15,2008
  3. October 8, 2008
  4. November 10, 2008
  5. December 8, 2008
  6. Other

There was no other new business.

  1. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

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