FAQs
Who completes course level assessment?
All faculty members (residential and adjunct) complete an assessment form for each course taught each year.
What is the difference between section level assessment and course level assessment?
Every course should be assessed. It is acceptable to assess multiple sections of the same course; however, it will feed into one assessment if the same outcomes are being addressed. For example; CIS105 uses the same instrument to assess their students in all sections. Therefore, they are able to combine all sections into one course-level assessment form noting that it includes x number of sections.
The ultimate goal is to have all sections of a course combined into one course level assessment. Therefore, there will be one assessment form representing each course with section level assessments serving as backup to the course level assessment. This is not always possible in that the sections taught may not always assess the same outcomes / competencies or use the same methods, etc. Hence, it may not be feasible to combine these cases, resulting in multiple course level assessments for the same course. This is also acceptable.
How often do I have to complete an assessment form?
Every course should be assessed annually. If you teach a course once a year, then assess that course the semester in which it was taught. If you teach a course in both the fall and the spring semester, you can assess the course in either the fall or the spring, as long as it is assessed at least once. However, your department may have different requirements.
Which form do I need to complete?
There are three (3) different forms to choose from. Check with your Department Assessment Coordinator to see if there is a specific form adopted by your department. The appropriate form will be loaded in SharePoint.
- Nichols form (portrait and landscape) 3-column form plus closing the loop information
- Nichols form (portrait and landscape) 4-column form plus closing the loop information
- Best Practices form (portrait) plus closing the loop information
Who will read my assessments?
Course level assessments are stored at department –level archives on the SharePoint server, and not available to the general public. They may be reviewed by the HLC (Higher Learning Commission) during their accreditation visits, so it is imperative these are accessible and in place. The Department Level Report (annual report), which is prepared by the Department Assessment Coordinator is also reviewed by the HLC.
Are assessment results used for faculty evaluation?
NEVER!! Course level assessments are used to gauge student learning outcomes only and are not to be confused with faculty evaluation. The important thing to focus on is using the information from the results and applying this to improve future student learning outcomes. You are already doing this in so many ways. It just needs to be documented and shared so others may benefit from your knowledge.
Do I have to assess every competency of the course?
No. Review one or two student outcomes you would like to reflect upon for the semester. Detail how you are going to assess these areas and make sure they are measurable. At the end of the semester, take the results and document how you are going to use this data in the future to improve student learning, or how you can use the information to improve the course.
If I teach multiple sections of the same course, do I have to complete a form for each section or can I combine them on one form?
No. There is only one (1) form per course you teach listed in SharePoint regardless of how many sections of that course you are teaching. Just be sure to note the number of sections you are assessing in the Number of Sections area of the form. It is not necessary to include the section numbers on the form; however, you may need to identify this information to your Department Assessment Coordinator.
Is it necessary to put my name or section number on the form?
Neither your name nor your section number is required. You only need to note the number of sections you are a assessing on that particular form.
When are the assessment forms due?
Assessment forms are due at the end of each semester. If you are teaching an open entry / open exit section it is suggested you turn in an assessment form indicating the section is still open as a placeholder. These section assessment forms are due when the last student is graded out and the section is officially closed. This may vary from department to department.
Who do I submit my assessment form to?
Course level assessment forms are to be completed in SharePoint at the end of the semester.