Use of Student Learning Evidence
Undergraduate Academic Programs Assessment
- Each undergraduate academic program is required to report how direct evidence gathered during the assessment process has been used to improve the program. If the evidence gathered demonstrates a need for improvement, the faculty or staff within the program decides on the appropriate action. Examples of how programs use direct evidence to improve student learning are showcased below.
- Showcase examples
General Education Competency Assessment
The assessment of General Education Competencies at NC State is coordinated through DASA Assessment in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA). In spring 2012, five general education competencies (Critical and Creative Thinking, Oral Communication, Quantitative Literacy, Written Communication) were identified by a group of faculty and staff and were vetted through faculty senate, the Council on Undergraduate Education, and the Associate Deans. DASA Assessment works with faculty partners across campus to share findings and encourage the use of General Education Competency data in making decisions to improve student learning.
For example, DASA Assessment and the Department of English collaborate for the assessment of Written Communication Competency through the assessment of student products in ENG 101 and ENG 105. The Department of English has been able to use these data to shape curriculum decisions, and to identify specific areas for improvement to target in students’ work; most recently, this resulted in a targeted focus on areas of source selection and source integration in students’ writing.
Use of General Education Competency data for the competencies Critical and Creative Thinking (the QEP) represents another significant area in which data are being used by faculty to shape student learning.
General Education Competency Champions
DASA Assessment has a General Education Competency Champions program, with the aim of appointing a faculty member with content area expertise as the “champion” for each of the five competencies to further enhance the use of evidence to support student learning. General Education Competency Champions consult with assessment staff on General Education Competency data collected (perspective on findings and strategies for using the data across campus); collaborate with assessment staff for campus-wide presentations to stakeholders on findings and using data; engage faculty across campus to use data in their programs (e.g. implement General Education Competency rubrics in their courses, share findings and decisions made with the data).
DASA Assessment
- Each DASA program is required to report how direct evidence gathered during the assessment process has been used to improve the program. If the evidence gathered demonstrates a need for improvement, the faculty or staff within the program decides on the appropriate action. Examples of how programs use direct evidence to improve student learning are showcased below.
- Showcase examples