Assessment Expo 2013
Using Assessment Results to Improve Student Learning
March 1, 2013
Seventy-three NIU faculty, staff, and students attended the sixth annual Assessment Expo on March 1, 2013. The Assessment Expo provides a forum for the campus community to discuss program assessment and highlight best practices. This year, the theme of the Expo was Using Assessment Results to Improve Student Learning. Based on the theme, the University Assessment Panel selected ten programs to showcase. Presenters from each of the ten programs worked with Media Services to develop posters describing their program’s use of assessment results.
Attendees viewed posters, talked with presenters, and participated in four discussion roundtables: Using Exam Results; Using Student Feedback; Using Culminating Project Results, and Using External Feedback and Review. Such collaboration makes NIU more accountable to external parties and helps us provide the best teaching and learning environments for students.
2013 Expo Featured Programs
College of Business, Building Ethical Leaders Using an Integrated Ethics Framework (BELIEF)
The Building Ethical Leaders Using an Integrated Ethics Framework (BELIEF) program’s learning objectives emphasize the systematic integration of ethics throughout the College of Business. A review of BELIEF assessment data led to hiring a full-time director, tailoring faculty development events, and providing more activities for students.
Presenters: Terry Bishop and Beth Towell
College of Business, Department of Operations Management and Information Systems Internal Body of Knowledge Exam
In the Operations Management and Information Systems capstone course, all graduating seniors are required to take the Body of Knowledge (BOK) Exam which assesses processes, technology, and project learning objectives. Faculty use the results of the BOK Exam to continually improve the integration of OM&IS concepts throughout the program.
Presenter: Chang Liu
College of Education, Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment Ed.D. in Instructional Technology Candidacy Exam
Near the final semester of course work, Instructional Technology doctoral students engage in a written candidacy exam. The exam provides students the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of educational theory, research, trends, issues, and problems. Faculty use exam results to make improvements to better support students’ research interests and prepare students for their dissertation.
Presenters: Tom Smith and Wei-Chen Hung
College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Technology B.S. Senior Design Project
The Electrical Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Senior Design Project is a culminating experience that provides keen insight into the fulfillment of program objectives. Faculty meet yearly to evaluate the assessment results and discuss future modifications.
Presenters: Stacey Deegan and Cliff Mirman
University Office of Teacher Certification Unit Assessment Committee
NIU teacher certification programs rely on the formal feedback from first year teachers who completed an NIU certificate program, their supervisors, and local school districts. The University Office of Teacher Certification uses this information to address the preparation needs of teacher candidates and to make continual program improvements.
Presenter: Carrie Zack
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy B.A./B.S.
Undergraduate philosophy students are provided the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to clearly present philosophical theories and arguments in a 3500-word analytical essay. Based on a review of student essays, the philosophy department created a set of “bookend” courses to train students explicitly and directly in analytical essay writing.
Presenter: David Buller
Health Enhancement: Do You Know Your Serving Sizes? Promoting safer drinking messages to residence hall students
Based on the 2011 National College Health Assessment, Health Enhancement recognized a need to educate students about drinking behaviors. Health Enhancement educators developed a demonstration and message to share with students regarding standard drink sizes. Students who participated in the serving size demonstration reported knowledge gains regarding risk reduction behaviors associated with drinking. Additional evaluation results from the serving size initiative will help inform future alcohol education initiatives.
Presenters: Evelyn Comber and Merlynette Griffin
Health Services Patient Satisfaction – SHAC Annual Survey
The Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC) used survey data to report students’ ideas and concerns regarding health care to the Health Services administration. Health Services and SHAC used the survey results to implement new practices to improve the student experience.
Presenters: Christine Grady, Natasha McPartlin, and Karen Frazer
College of Health and Human Sciences, School of Nursing and Health Studies Master of Public Health
The comprehensive examination used in the Master of Public Health program is an example of using a systems thinking approach for assessment.
Presenter: Sally Conklin
College of Visual and Performing Arts, School of Theatre and Dance M.F.A. in Theatre Arts
In Theatre and Dance, individualized courses of study are provided to each graduate student based on evaluations of multiple performances throughout the academic year to promote each student’s ability to master advance principles of performance.
Presenters: Judy Chitwood and Tracy Nunnally