Welcome to my assessment blog!
Joni Spurlin, University Director of Assessment and Associate Director of University Planning and Analysis at North Carolina University reminds us that assessment is one word with many definitions. Depending on who is defining it, and more importantly, for what purpose, assessment can have an array of interpretations. For some, it focuses on student learning and performance, some look to assessment for program or process improvement, others assess resource needs, and still others focus on assessment for meeting regional accreditation. All these diverse interpretations make the topic of assessment complex and confusing. My own interpretation of assessment is quite simple, we assess technology to determine its effect on student learning and performance. This is not to say that the other components of assessment are not necessary or important, but that the primary emphasis should be on student learning. In this journal I will cover many aspects of the assessment process including needs assessment, formative evaluation, reaction evaluation, impact/summative evaluation, and metrics, but I will strive to relate all of it back to student learning and performance. Hopefully once a clear model emerges, we will be able to look at some specific examples and results from the Case Western Reserve community. I invite all out there to participate in my exploration of this very timely and extremely important topic. Stay tuned for more.
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