Faculty
Dr. Lori Slavin and Brenda Edmonds are the co-directors of JCCC’s Office of Outcomes Assessment.
Student learning is faculty-driven assessment Maybe not a culture shock, but definitely
a culture change – assessment of student learning outcomes is now in the hands of JCCC faculty. On Aug. 1, Brenda Edmonds, associate professor, mathematics, and Dr. Lori Slavin, associate professor, science, became the co-directors of JCCC’s first-ever Office of Outcomes Assessment, located in room 204A of the Office and Classroom Building. The major goal of outcomes assessment is to improve student learning outcomes. These eight campuswide outcomes (see sidebar) are not related to specific class content, but broad goals related to higher education. To that end, all faculty are being encouraged to identify at least one of the eight student learning outcomes to assess. “We have to do some kind of evaluation to demonstrate that students are learning the things we are attempting to teach,” Edmonds said. “The main role of this office is to encourage and assist faculty with assessment project initiatives and to
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Late Fall 2010 | Imprint
form a collection point for data so people can use it.” “We are looking to improve student success and curriculum. It’s not faculty evaluation,” Slavin said. “The data is collected and analyzed by the faculty. The assessment process allows us to see what is working in the classroom and what is not.” The directors say most faculty are already collecting data regarding at least one of the student learning outcomes using assessment embedded in common assignments, portfolios, performances, capstone experiences and commercial tests such as those purchased from the Educational Testing Service or American College Testing. What’s been missing in the student learning outcomes assessment cycle has been collation of the data, faculty discussion of the data and action – the pieces needed to implement improvement strategies. In 2010-2011, the office will determine the best way to archive data, establish an Office of Outcomes Assessment