What is student learning assessment?
Yavapai College formally defines student learning assessment as “a systematic process of gathering and interpreting information related to the level of student achievement in relation to specific learning outcomes.” Student learning assessment is also commonly referred to as “learning assessment” or “learning outcomes assessment.” Assessment of student learning is an ongoing process used by the College to improve student learning. The process involves several steps. The steps are: • Identify student behaviors (learning outcomes) that provide evidence of student learning within programs and courses; • Design and implement assessments that measure the specified learning outcomes; • Analyze results from the selected assessments; • Use assessment results to improve/refine assessment process, instructional techniques, pedagogy, placement strategies, and faculty development; and • Report results to internal and external constituents.
UMUC formally defines student learning assessment as “a systematic process of gathering and interpreting information related to the level of student achievement in relation to specific learning outcomes.” Student learning assessment is also commonly referred to as “learning assessment” or “learning outcomes assessment.” Assessment of student learning is an ongoing process used by the university to improve student learning. The process involves several steps. The steps are: • Identify student behaviors (learning outcomes) that provide evidence of student learning within programs and courses; • Design and implement assessments that measure the specified learning outcomes; • Analyze results from the selected assessments; • Use assessment results to improve/refine assessment process, instructional techniques, pedagogy, placement strategies, and faculty development; and • Report results to internal and external constituents.
A process that asks important questions about student learning, gathers some meaningful information on these questions, and uses the information for academic improvement. Source: Sinclair Community College, as referred to by Denney, 1996 in Palomba and Bantas Assessment Essentials, 1999. A rich conversation about student learning informed by data.
