(253c) Assessment of Student Outcomes and Program Objectives: Methods for Effectiveness

Assessment
of Student Outcomes and Program Objectives:

Methods
for Effectiveness

The
assessment of Student Outcomes (traditionally aligned with ABET Student
Outcomes ?a-k?) and Program Objectives poses an ever-present demand on
resources in any engineering department. Executing successful program
assessment and evaluation through department faculty requires careful design of
assessment instruments and ?points of intersection? between assessment tools
and program activities (e.g. courses, constituent involvement, student
organizations, etc.).  Effective
assessment is characterized by efficiency of tools and implementation to garner
faculty and constituent ?buy-in?.  As
illustrated below, the balance in any assessment program brings a tension
between effectiveness and extent of assessment and evaluation.  At one end of the spectrum is an extensive
use of strong, effective assessment tools. 
While this may constitute the ?ultimate? in the game of program
assessment, it is unrealistic for departments relying upon ?in-house? delivery
by program faculty.  The more effective
and pragmatic approach is to select or design a few great tools and implement
them strategically within departmental resource constraints (e.g. faculty/staff
time, available funding, etc.).  This
talk presents ideas and examples for strategic design and implementation of
assessment tools?some successful and some less so.  The discussion will include challenges faced
with managing ABET program assessment 
within departmental resources.