State Assessment Meeting

Presentations Abstracts

June 19-20, 2014
Orlando, FL

Final presentations will be posted after the meeting.

 

Using Big Data to Improve Student Learning

Laura Malcolm, Vice President of Product, Civitas Learning;  Kurt Ewen, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning; and Brian Macon, Professor of Mathematics, Valencia College

As students pursue their educations, they tell their stories in the data they create and interact with along the way. That information — captured in higher education databases — is an untapped resource that has the power to transform students’ journeys by improving their learning, academic outcomes, and overall likelihood of success.  But what is the best way to capture this data and turn it into actionable insights? Valencia College and Civitas Learning have partnered to implement a "data, science, people" approach to delivering the right information, to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way in order to help more students be successful. This session will discuss predictive analytics applications and demonstrate how faculty and staff at Valencia College are starting to use insights to innovate learning and iterate toward improvements in online student success.

Speakers will discuss the following aspects of the "data, science, people" approach to inform decisions – big and small – across the student life cycle: 1. How institutional data from a broad array of sources (SIS, LMS, CRM, etc.) is captured in order to provide a historical view and to see predictions of future performance, 2. How data science insights are generated to enable faculty and staff to identify the most powerful predictors of student success and risk, and 3. Challenges and opportunities on the journey to using data to impact student outcomes. How insight can be turned into action by pushing student-level predictive analytics to the frontlines?

 

Intensive Workshop on  Developing and Assessing Program Learning Outcomes  *Special Events Center, Main Room*

(2hr session)

Wendi Dew,  Director of Faculty Development; and Laura Blasi, Ph.D., Director, Learning Assessment, Valencia College

Successful program learning outcomes assessment requires partnerships and a plan that can be implemented across programs. Workshop participants will be able to: 1. Write learning outcome statements and performance indicators; 2. Distinguish among program assessment methods and instruments; and 3.Involve colleagues in program assessment planning and implementation. Presenters will discuss the lessons learned over four years of planning at Valencia College. This session is relevant to both faculty members and administrators regardless of their leadership roles

 

Part I: Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE): Alternative Uses (2hr session)

John Frederick, Ph.D., Director of Learning Outcomes Assessment;  and Archie Cubarrubia, Ed.D., Director of Planning and Policy Analysis, Miami Dade College

  Learn how to use CCSSE in alternative ways. Participants will explore how CCSSE and other indirect measures can be used to close-the-loop and complement general education outcomes attainment. Additionally, this session addresses the use of CCSSE data in policy and planning conversations, such as discussions regarding Aspirations to Achievement: Men of Color and Community Colleges.

 

Part II: Practical Applications for Using Assessment Results to Improve Student Learning 

Barika Barboza, Senior Trainer; and Yahemn Baeza Dager, Senior Assessment and Planning Associate, Miami Dade College

Assessment can seem like a daunting task. How do you use the results? Using a step-by-step approach the participants will be guided through the processes of using assessment results (including CCSSE data) to improve learning and teaching.

 

Strategies to Improve the Use of Data in Decision Making (2hr session)

Kurt Ewen, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Valencia College.

The data-driven movement in higher education often assumes that both the meaning of the data we collect is self-evident and that the path forward using data is equally clear. This assumption is not generally true and is particularly untrue of data collected from the majority of learning outcomes assessment. This session will consider a series of strategies for collaboratively collecting and analyzing data that can help improve decision making and action for the benefit of students.

 

Building a Gateway for Non-STEM Students: Learning Assessment and the Developmental Student 

Carol Weideman, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics; and Sandy Cohen, Professor of Mathematics, St. Petersburg College

MAT1990 Exploration of Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning was developed for non-STEM students as an alternative to MAT1033.  This course provides the foundation for understanding concepts necessary for success in subsequent statistics and liberal arts math courses including algebra, set theory, geometry, probability, and statistics.  Critical thinking skills, communicating mathematically and appropriate use of technology are incorporated.

 

Using Assessment to Ensure Quality in Online Learning 

Andrea Reese, Ph.D., Chair of Online Studies; and Karla Moore, Ph.D., Academic Assessment and Planning Dean, Daytona State College

This session describes how Daytona State College is incorporating online assessment into the overall institutional effectiveness process of the college and the steps taken to develop a plan and process that will focus on the quality of online course design with faculty support and buy-in.  Participants will have an opportunity to share and discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of online quality assessment.

 

Developing a Communications Strategy to Support Faculty Assessing Student Learning 

Laura Blasi, Ph.D., Director of Learning Assessment, Valencia College

Institutional researchers can provide support for faculty members as they seek to improve the attainment of student learning outcomes through assessment. Sometimes a few dedicated faculty members drive the process, but increased faculty support is needed to cultivate a culture of assessment on campus. In this session, we will discuss the results from a qualitative survey of Institutional Research professionals and leaders in Academic Affairs - from this emerged some key recommendations and strategies that you can share on your own campus.

 

Tracking Change and Documenting Impact: Learning Assessments Shared Across Partner Institutions 

Tammy Muhs, Ph.D., Assistant Chair & Lecturer, Mathematics Department, University of Central Florida; and Maryke Lee, Ph.D., Dean, Mathematics, Valencia College

Participants will learn about an assessment collaboration between the mathematics departments at Valencia College and the University of Central Florida.  The common assessments and preliminary results will be shared.

 

Race to the Top: Improving Post-college Performance Metrics 

Carla Rossiter, Assessment Director, College of Education, St. Petersburg College

As part of the Race to the Top initiative, the Florida Department of Education provides an Annual Report Card for each teacher preparation program in the state.  The report card focuses on six post college performance metrics.  This session will detail how one Teacher Preparation College organized faculty and assessment professionals to revise curriculum and measurably improve Student Success and annual program "report card" metrics.

 

Authentic Online Assessment: What’s in It for Your Students? 

Roberta Vandermast, Professor Emeritus and Senior Teaching Fellow Valencia College

Authentic assessment is more than a buzz word.  It's a way to use assessment to engage students in solving real world problems, engage professional standards, and practice critical thinking -- But it requires more work from both teachers and students.  Participants will work from their own experiences to an understanding of what authentic assessment is and what it takes to use it effectively in the classroom.  Along the way, information from educational research will underscore key points.

 

Tracking Pathways to Student Success 

Peter Usinger, Director of Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Planning, Polk State College

Using the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, a free assessment tool, Polk State College shows how it applies the analysis of longitudinal data to track student success.  The presenter will provide insights into the interaction between student motivation and learning strategies across disciplines and delivery methods.  Particular shortages in higher order learning skills will be discussed and how findings can be used to improve student orientation and curriculum content.

 

Engaging Key Stakeholders in Assessing Student Learning Outcomes in Collegiate Life and Co-Curricular Experiences 

Kimberly Hardy, Ph.D., Executive Dean of Student Success and Learning Engagement; and Lynne Crosby, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness &  Accreditation, Florida State College at Jacksonville

Sharing ideas and models is vital to enhancing the impact of institutional effectiveness efforts.  Roundtable participants will discuss ways to promote meaningful and active engagement of key stakeholders in institutional effectiveness efforts in student development units, particularly related to collegiate life and co-curricular experiences.

 

When the Accreditors Leave 

Greg Lindeblom, Assistant Professor of Business Administration;  Nilo Marin, Ph.D., Professor of Biological Sciences;  Behnoush Memari, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physical Sciences; and Christopher Johnston, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English, Broward College

Assessment of student learning has enormous value in education, but it is often driven by accreditor mandate or anticipation of accreditor’s response.  After the accreditors leave, how do you maintain the vitality?  How do you keep faculty and administrators engaged and supportive? In this workshop, we will investigate some methods for maintaining momentum by focusing on long-term goals and strategies.

 

Read to Succeed: Assessing Seminole State's QEP 

Mark Morgan, Ed.D., Associate Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness, Seminole State College of Florida

Seminole State uses a comprehensive range of course-level and college-wide assessments for measuring reading comprehension and metacognitive awareness associated with its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Learn about Seminole State’s approach, lessons learned, reactions from faculty, and results to date.

 

Program Assessment Practices at Institutions Across the Southeast 

Lynne Crosby, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation; and Susan Schultz, DNP, CNE, Professor of Nursing and Institutional Effectiveness Faculty Co-Chair, Florida State College at Jacksonville

This session focuses on a recent survey of program assessment/general education assessment practices at Florida College System institutions and other southeastern institutions.  The presenters will summarize the results of the frequency of assessment cycles, the review of program assessment plans and reports, guidelines, the impact of the program assessment/general education assessment process, and future changes that institutions may be considering for their program assessment process.

 

General Education Assessment: One College’s Journey 

Katina Gothard, Ph.D., Professor, Mathematics; and  Jayne Gorham, Ed.D., Associate Vice President of Planning and Assessment, Eastern Florida State College

In this session, participants will learn how faculty at Eastern Florida State College designed, tested, and fully implemented a general education assessment framework within three years. Participants will be provided a list of resources that were used to design the framework, the discipline rubrics developed for each of the general education outcomes, and the surveys used to aid analysis of student performance data.

 

Creativity: Assessment in the Arts and Entertainment Fields 

Kristin Abel, Professor of Entertainment Design & Technology; Alan Gerber, Professor of Music; Troy Gifford, D.M.A., Professor of Music;  Wendy Givoglu, Dean of Arts & Entertainment; and Kristy Pennino, Program Chair & Professor, Graphic and Interactive Design Program, Valencia College

Arts and Entertainment faculty members face distinct and inspiring challenges when seeking to assess program learning outcomes in their areas of expertise. The faculty members who gather in the session will be describing their emerging assessment processes which have developed over the past three years. They will share the challenges they have faced and how they have met those challenges. This conversation is being held in advance of the afternoon workshop on the use of AAC&U's creativity rubric developed through project VALUE.

 

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes Beyond the Classroom 

Lynne Crosby, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness & Accreditation; and Kimberly Hardy, Ph.D., Executive Dean of Student Success and Learning Engagement, Florida State College at Jacksonville

This session offers approaches to guide outcome assessment for student development units, with an emphasis on student learning.  Attendees will participate in the identification of student learning outcomes in student development units and discuss relevant direct and indirect measures of assessing student learning in these co-curricular experiences.

 

Creating Faculty Assessment Leadership at Edison State College 

Martha Ambrose, Learning Assessment Committee Chair; and Amy Trogan, Ph.D., Assessment Coordinator, Edison State College

Edison State College has implemented a new faculty leadership role in assessment: the Faculty Assessment Coordinator.  Like many institutions of higher education, ESC has a Learning Assessment Committee that oversees academic assessment with rotating members; however, the link between the committee and departments needed to be stronger, with professional training for each faculty member.  Thus, the faculty and administration created the Assessment Coordinator position for each department.

 

Workshop:  Common Ground: Using Rubrics to Create Dialogue. 

Ashley Finley, Ph.D., Senior Director of Assessment and Research, The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)

Campuses nationally are increasingly integrating direct assessment of student learning into their assessment portfolios.  A significant number of these campuses have worked with the AAC&U VALUE rubrics to help guide these efforts.  Essential to successful adoption and implementation of the rubrics, however, is engaging faculty and campus co-educators in critical discussions around the interpretation of the rubric, application of performance levels, and use of results.  In this session, participants will engage in a condensed calibration exercise that is used to train faculty and staff on applying rubrics to samples of student work.  The VALUE rubric for "creative thinking" will be used to score a sample of student work to illustrate the utility of engaging campus stakeholders, including students, in dialogue around articulation of learning outcomes and interdisciplinary approaches to assessing student learning.  Campus examples of calibration, implementation of the rubrics, and the use of evidence from direct assessment to improve student learning will also be shared. 

 

Continuous Improvement. Is That Even Possible in a Demanding Environment? 

Judy Jones-Liptrot, Ed.D., Assessment and Certification Center Manager at the Open Campus/Deerwood Center; and Richard Turner, Assessment and Certification Manager-Kent Campus , Florida State College at Jacksonville

What do your customers think of your service? Is continuous improvement possible when you are so busy with your daily tasks?  In this session, Judy and Rich will preview their customer satisfaction survey used throughout the College as well as real world results.  They will walk through how to survey for continuous improvement as well as effective student learning outcomes for non-academic units.

 

Reinventing the Process of Student-Learning Assessment in English Composition 

Christina Hardin, Ph.D., Director, New Student Experience, Valencia College

Assessment work in English Composition does not have to be challenging and cumbersome. Faculty from Valencia College will discuss how they revamped and reinvented the assessment of student learning in English Composition 1 and 2, college-wide.  Attendees will participate in this interactive session designed to help them identify obstacles to their assessment success and find ways to improve their processes.

 

Using Business Intelligence to Enhance the Program Viability Report Process

Ashley  Caron, Baccalaureate Assessment & Accreditation Coordinator; and Maggie Tymms, Assessment Director, St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College's Academic Program Viability Report (APVR), a yearly summative evaluation of each program's viability, provides key College stake holders a snapshot of relevant program specific information.  In 2013, Institutional Research and Effectiveness developed dashboards within SPC's Pulse/Business Intelligence system which highlight program trends in five man measure areas.  The benefits realized by streamlining the APVR data extraction process have exceeded our expectations.

 

Assessing Oral Communication: An Evolving Process

Katie Paschall, Ph.D., Assessment Coordinator for the Department of Speech Communication and Foreign Languages, Edison State College

Assessing oral communication in the Basic Speech Course has proved to be a lengthy, expensive, and challenging endeavor.  The Department of Speech and Foreign Languages at Edison State College has embraced the challenge and developed an assessment process leading to greater satisfaction and mastery of SLOs. This session will discuss the evolving process of faculty commitment, training, results, and plans for continuous improvement.

 

Using Business Intelligence to Improve the College Experience

Jesse Coraggio, Ph.D., Associate Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Grants; and Dan Gardner, Ph.D., Director of Institutional Research, St. Petersburg College

This session will provide a review of the College Experience initiative at SPC and how the college’s Pulse BI system was used to support this initiative. The College Experience includes a Student Learning Plan, Expanded Out-of-Classroom Support, Early Alert and Student Coaching, Integrated Career Services, and New Student Orientation. This strategic initiative is intended to improve student success and help students finish what they start. During a ‘live’ demonstration of the web-based SPC Pulse BI system, the participants will be shown how student behavioral data from the Pulse BI system is used by college stakeholders monitor the success of the various elements of the College Experience Student Success Initiative

 

Trends in Outcomes and Plans of Academic Programs 

Susan Schultz, DNP, CNE, Professor of Nursing and Institutional Effectiveness Faculty Co-chair, Jametoria Burton, B.A., M.L.I.S., Associate Director Program Development/General Education Assessment, Janice Amos, MA., Program Manager of Career Education/Public Safety Management, and Derrick Johnson, M.Ed., Student Success Advisor/Student Life Skills Instructor, Florida State College at Jacksonville

During this presentation, participants will learn how the Institutional Effectiveness Committee analyzed patterns and trends in their academic programs' assessment plans and reports.  They will examine links between general education outcomes and programs outcomes, analyzes action plans and improvements achieved reported in one year, and discuss recommendations for college action based on the analysis of program assessment plans and reports.