Assessment Workshops

Faculty and Staff Development Workshops 2016-2017

Assesstival of Learning Part II:  Building Your Assessment Toolbox
– February 27 through March 3, 2017
– Workshops are offered at 2 convenient times:  9:00 – 10:00 a.m. OR 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
– Location:  Eaton Lounge, Bresee Hall, 2nd Floor

Assessment Forum Slides – Please click on the title of the session to review the Assessment Forum slides for that session.

Topics:

• Gathering Descriptive Data Using Focus Groups and Interviews – Monday, February 27th
  Interviews and focus groups are helpful when gathering data that describes what is happening or assesses high-order learning.  This session covers the basics of planning interviews and focus groups covering such topics as:
       o  Interviews vs. focus groups and when to use which tool
       o  Creating a plan for using interviews and focus groups
       o  Structuring questions
       o  Selecting facilitators
       o  Organizing the data afterward
       o  Activity:  Creating Questions and Protocols

• What is a Rubric and when would I use one? – Tuesday, February 28th                                  
  Rubrics are a popular tool for measuring things that are difficult to quantify but can be described.  This session is intended for people new to rubrics who need to know the basics of what they are and how they can be used and covers topics such as:
       o  What to consider when using a rubric
       o  The various formats a rubric can take
       o  Identifying situations where a rubric can be used in the classroom and out of the classroom
       o  Identifying different sources of data when using a rubric
       o  Activity:  Identify when a rubric can be used in your own work

• Designing and Using Rubrics In and Out of the Classroom – Wednesday, March 1st
  Creating rubrics can range from quick and easy to a little more challenging.  This session explores the steps to take to create a rubric, as well as discussing and piloting and testing rubrics.  This session is intended for people who are considering using a rubric but aren’t sure how to get started in creating/using them and includes such topics as:
       o  9 steps to creating, testing and using a rubric
       o  Checking on reliability/consistency when using a rubric
       o  Activity:  Begin working on creating a rubric
  Handouts for this session

• Using Existing Data and Documents for Assessment – Thursday, March 2nd
  Existing data comes in many shapes and forms.  From survey data that can be re-analyzed, institutional data to documents and social media it is often a forgotten or unnoticed source for rich data.  This session covers topics such as:
       o  What is considered existing data
       o  How can it be used to inform assessment findings
       o  What might this look like as a form of assessment
       o  Activity:  Spend time brainstorming what existing data is available at Hartwick for people
              to use

• Survey Design and Increasing Response Rates – Friday, March 3rd
  Surveys are a quick and easy tool for gathering a wide variety of data and with access to on-line survey tools it is easier now than ever to send a survey out.  But, as with many other things, the quality of the information gathered by a survey is dependent on how the survey is written.  This session will cover topics such as:
       o  Survey for assessment vs. test for knowledge and when they are the same/different
       o  Outlining your survey based on outcomes/goals
       o  Selecting question formats/types based on your goals
       o  Selecting the order of questions
       o  Finalizing survey questions and checking for face and content validity
       o  Administration tips to increase response rates
       o  Activity:  Survey Cheers and Jeers worksheet
       o  Note:  This session will not cover creating test items for grading or testing competency; 
              some of the techniques are the same, but how they are applied are slightly different
  Handouts for this session

Assesstival of Learning  Part I:  August 1-5, Golisano 301

Assessment Forum Slides – Please click on the title of the session to review the Assessment Forum slides for that session.

• Finding Your Purpose and Setting Goals – Monday, August 1; 10:00-11:30 a.m. – Good assessment begins with a meaningful goal that is linked to your priorities, this session helps you determine your assessment priorities for this year.
• Defining Learning Outcomes – Tuesday, August 2; 10:00-11:30 a.m. – This session assists with writing outcomes related to learning that is happening in and out of the classroom. Most of the time will be spent drafting outcomes, receiving feedback and refining outcomes to you are ready for assessment planning.
• Defining Operational Outcomes – Wednesday, August 3: 10:00-11:30 a.m. – Operational outcomes are those focused on changing processes, systems or the quality of an experience. This session gives you the tools to write measurable operational outcomes, test them out and refine in order to add them to an assessment plan.
• Constructing Assessment Plans – Thursday, August 4: 10:00-11:30 a.m. – Ever wonder what exactly you need to do in order to complete your assessment plan?  Want experience writing an assessment plan for your area?  This session takes you through the steps of writing a plan and addresses some of the common missteps along the way.
• Setting Targets & Using Metrics – Friday, August 5: 10:00-11:30 a.m. – Target and metrics are numbers used to determine if you have met goals or outcomes. While there isn’t an exact science to setting targets there are some factors to take into consideration, this session takes you through some steps to setting targets and provides time to apply the material to your assessment planning.
• Assessment Plan Writing/Feedback Session – Set aside time to write your assessment plan, get feedback, ask questions, etc. 1:00-3:00 p.m. – This is an open working session, no formal material will be presented but rather it provides some time to retreat, reflect and write an assessment plan. Come for as short or long of a time as you’d like. Light refreshments will be provided.

2013-2014