TCU and Alverno

TCU

1. What are the details of the Gen Ed Assessment Process for your case study college?

In order to develop an appropriate and meaningful assessment for each of the six categories within the curriculum, a faculty learning community (FLC) was funded to create and maintain an appropriate assessment strategy for each of the categories and to share the results of the assessment process with faculty who teach in each category.

A rubric was developed to look across courses and items to determine how well students had met the outcome. Each FLC developed specific measures for their core curriculum outcome; therefore, findings are different for each area. Members of FLC used these findings to reevaluate and articulate more effectively how their courses met the outcomes and reexamine how their different courses have a common theme that makes the courses appropriate for this core curriculum. The finding for one area of the core could have an indirect impact on other areas. As a result of the core curriculum assessment, students learn how a specific course is actually a part of the larger core curriculum.

2. What practices, if any, might be good for us to adopt at PAC?

The focus of FLC is more on what students are learning rather than on what the faculty are teaching. The development of a learner-centeredness rubric is applied to course syllabi. Professional development is a key element in pushing forward the learner-centered agenda.

Alverno

1. What are the details of the Gen Ed Assessment Process for your case study college?

There are two assessments of Gen ED, the first is the assessment of individual students with regard to the outcomes for Gen ED; the second is the assessment of how well Gen ED is working. The data from the in-class assessments and the external assessments were used collaboratively to develop and refine the Gen ED curriculum. It is concentrated in the first two years, where students develop and demonstrate the eight abilities (communication, analysis, problem solving, valuing in decision-making, social interaction, developing a global perspective, effective citizenship and aesthetic engagement) through the intermediate level required of all graduates. All Gen ED courses as well as the introductory courses in the majors assure that students demonstrate the eight abilities.

2. What practices, if any, might be good for us to adopt at PAC?

Faculty across disciplines work together to identify the learning outcomes and to develop meaningful in-class as well as external assessments of those outcomes. The in-class assessments support student learning and improve teaching. The Gen ED learning outcomes are evaluated in an ongoing way, which results in fed back to the design of the program.