Urban Policy

Calculus
Lively Arts

Minute Paper
Metaphysics

Accounting

Pre/Post

Syllabus

Cyberlaw

Primary Trait
Cervantes

COURSE-Based
Review and Assessment

Methods for Understanding Student Learning

office of

Academic Planning & Assessment

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Contributing Authors: Martha L. A. Stassen, Director of Assessment; Kathryn Doherty and Mya Poe, Research Associates
Publication supported in part through a grant from the Presidents Reserve, University of Massachusetts

This handbook is one of two campus publications designed by the Office of Academic Planning and Assessment (OAPA) to guide the practitioner through
the steps of student learning assessment. COURSE-Based Review and Assessment: Methods for Understanding Student Learning offers strategies for
assessing student learning at the course level and is particularly useful to instructors developing assessment strategies for their courses. The companion
publication PROGRAM-Based Review and Assessment: Tools and Techniques for Program Improvement focuses on the assessment at the department or
program level and is particularly useful to department or program chairs, as well as others interested in program assessment, to guide program review and
improvement. Both publications are available through OAPA.

The contributing authors are grateful for the many UMass colleagues who provided their suggestions on earlier versions of this handbook. Wed also like
to acknowledge the contributions of colleagues at other institutions of higher eduction whose work is referenced throughout this handbook.

Contents

Assessment as a Teaching Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

How to Use this Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Chapter 1 What is Course-Based Assessment? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Chapter 2 Adapting Your Course to Include Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Chapter 3 Selecting When and How Often to Assess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Chapter 4 Assessing Student Learning at Specific Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Appendix 4-A Samples, Examples and Worksheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Chapter 5 Assessing Student Learning Over the Course of the Semester . . . . . . . . .35
Appendix 5-A Samples, Examples and Worksheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Chapter 6 Interpreting and Using the Results of Classroom Assessment . . . . . . . . .43
Sources and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Publication supported in part through a grant from the Presidents Reserve

Design: MBDesign [email protected]

Fall 2001

Letter to Instructors

Assessment as a Teaching Tool

Across higher education there is a growing demand for systematic and thought
ful student learning assessment. In general, however, state legislators, state higher
education boards, and administrators have been more enthusiastic about assess
ment than have academics. In part, faculty members ambivalence towards
assessment is fueled by their perceptions that much of what is done in the name
of assessment is of little use to them in improving their own teaching, student
learning, or the curriculum.
Indeed, until fairly recently, much of assessment has focused more on issues of
external accountability than on developing assessment activities that directly
improve educational practices. Among the reasons why the assessment effort has
had little effect on the teaching-learning process is that faculty have not been ade
quately involved in identifying relevant assessment questions or in developing
appropriate assessment methods that could indeed inform teaching and learning.
This lack of faculty involvement is unfortunate because, at its best, coursebased assessment can facilitate student learning by:
Helping you clarify your teaching goals and what you

want students to learn

Giving your students a better understanding of your

expectations for their work in your course and how you

evaluate their performance

Opening up the lines of communication and feedback between

you and your students
Actively engaging students in their own learning
Providing you with increased information about student

learning in your classroom, allowing you to adjust your

teaching as the course progresses

Our hope is that this handbook will serve as a useful tool in helping you develop

course-based assessment strategies that help your students learn. Please consider

it as only one catalyst for your own ideas. I hope the information provided here

will help you see assessment not as a chore, but as an opportunity to use your

own inquiry skills to investigate the teaching and learning questions you find

most relevant, compelling, and intriguing. And, as always, please contact our

office if you would like additional information or assistance.

Martha L. A. Stassen, Ph.D.

Director of Assessment

Office of Academic Planning and Assessment

2 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

How to Use this Handbook

Understanding why
If youre new to assessment, Chapter 1 provides an overview of what we mean by
assessment and an introduction to its uses in the classroom. The introductory
phase of assessment involves building a base of understanding about the benefits
and tools of assessment, and about what you want to learn from the process. It
is here that you identify why and what you want to assess.

Defining goals and objectives

If you already understand what assessment is and know why you want to
assess, Chapter 2 can help you begin to adapt your course to include assessment.
An effective assessment strategy is based on clear, explicitly stated goals and
objectives. This chapter guides you through the process of writing course goals
and objectives, identifying existing assessment methods, and analyzing your
syllabus.

Defining the focus of course-based assessment

If you know your goals and objectives, Chapter 3 will help you decide whether
to assess those goals at the moment or over time. During this phase, you will
address the how of assessment and focus on when and why to use classroombased techniques for short- or long-term assessment. You will also explore the
importance of engaging students in the assessment process.

Techniques for assessing student learning

If you know you want to assess and have a good idea of what assessment in
your classroom should look like, Chapter 4 will help you identify strategies and
methods to collect assessment data at key points in the semester. Chapter 5
introduces techniques to assess student learning throughout the semester and
looks at ways to structure course assignments and the syllabus to facilitate
ongoing assessment.

Understanding and using your results

If youre ready to use what youve learned from your assessment data, Chapter 6
will help you put it all together. Understanding what the data tell you is key to
using the results to enhance teaching and learning in your classroom. Your findings
serve as an example of your accomplishment and may be used to guide curricular
revisions and improvements.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 3

4 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Chapter 1

Getting Started: What is Course-Based Assessment?

The purpose of this chapter

This chapter offers basic definitions and explanations of assessment terminology
and tools. It describes the similarities and differences between assessment and
grading, as well as what assessment can mean for your students. Reasons to
assess and common questions about assessment are also included.

Chapter 1

At A Glance
a learner-centered,
teacher-directed approach
designed to improve
student learning in the
individual classroom.
Wright, B. D. (1991)

What is assessment?
Assessment and grading
Why assess?
What is course-based assessment?
Assessment challenges at research universities
Assessment: your students and you
Questions and answers

What is Assessment?

The word assessment has taken on a variety of meanings within higher

education. The term can refer to the process faculty use to grade student course
assignments, to standardized testing imposed on institutions as part of increased
pressure for external accountability, or to any activity designed to collect infor
mation on the success of a program, course, or University curriculum. These varied
uses have, unfortunately, moved us away from a focus on the central role that
assessment should play in educational institutions the gathering of information
to improve institutional practices.
Therefore, for the purposes of this handbook

Assessment is the systematic collection and analysis of information

to improve student learning.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 5

Assessment and Grading

When the issue of course-based assessment is raised,
Grades are global evaluations that
faculty members often say, I already do assessment. I
grade student assignments. Grades are indeed one
represent the overall proficiency of
measure of student achievement. There are significant
drawbacks, however, to using grades to meet assessments students. They dont tell you about
primary goal to improve teaching and learning.
student performance on individual
Assessment links student performance to specific
learning outcomes in order to provide useful feedback
learning goals
to the instructor and students about how successfully
students are meeting these outcomes. Traditional grading, which offers one score to represent the sum total of
students performance across a whole host of outcomes, does not provide the sort of detailed and specific infor
mation necessary for linking student performance to improvement. Because grades dont tell you about student
performance on individual (or specific) learning goals or outcomes, they provide little information on the
overall success of your course in helping students attain the specific and distinct learning objectives of interest.

Why Assess?
An effective instructor understands that it is not enough to present course material to students and hope
that they get it, assuming that some will and some will not. Learning occurs when there is an interplay
between the teaching process and the outcome. When assessing learning, the instructor identifies specific
goals and objectives for each course, systematically gauges the extent to which these anticipated outcomes
actually occur and determines to what degree learning takes place.
Assessment also: makes the learning process more effective and consistent by systematically linking assign
ments, course structure and grading practices to intended learning goals; helps instructors become better
teachers by offering specific feedback on what is working or not working in their classrooms; and provides
systematic feedback to students about their own progress.

First, answer these questions

1. What do you really want students to know
and learn?
2. What are your students actually learning?
3. What can you do to help students learn what
you believe they need to know?

Then, follow these steps

1. Identify and articulate what students should
learn in your class
2. Develop tools to measure student learning
3. Establish systems to compile and analyze the
data you collect with these tools
4. Use the information gathered to improve/adapt
curricula, pedagogy, and goals

What is Course Assessment?

Course-based Assessment refers to methods of assessing student learning within the classroom environment,
using course goals, objectives and content to gauge the extent of the learning that is taking place.

6 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Assessment Challenges at
UMass Amherst and other
Research Universities
The advantages to both instructor and student from classroom assessment are
recognized and accepted at colleges and universities across the country. There
are, of course, particular challenges for large research universities. However,
there are faculty at institutions like UMass who are finding ways to use formal
classroom and institution-wide assessment to improve practice. The websites for
these campuses are included in the Sources and Resources section of this
handbook. Examples of their work are provided throughout this handbook.

Assessment: Your Students and You

Assessment: Benefits for Students
Assessment designed to facilitate improved student learning can offer a number
of benefits to students. For students, assessment can mean:
clarifying their instructors expectations for them
focusing more on learning as they come to see the connection between
learning and course content
becoming more self-reflective learners
understanding their own strengths and weaknesses as students
Assessment: Benefits for the Instructor
As an instructor, you can use assessment to:
provide a more learning-centered, student-responsive classroom environment
employ a variety of assessment techniques described in later chapters to stay
on top of student learning as it occurs
adjust the teaching process to accommodate gaps in learning that can be tied
to methods of instruction
become more student-responsive in terms of facilitating learning and
acquisition of knowledge
Helping students understand these benefits is key. Enlisting student investment in
the assessment process can both make the results more meaningful and encourage
students active participation in the learning process. Consistent and constructive
feedback to students about the results of your in-class assessment can help you
accomplish this goal. (See Chapter 3 for ideas on how to engage students in
assessment)

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 7

Questions and Answers

Q. Doesnt assessment ask me to become an education researcher, conducting

research in the classroom on how and why students learn?
A. If we define research as systematically making observations and collecting
data, then assessment certainly may be looked at as classroom research,
research that some faculty may want to pursue. However, the primary purpose
of classroom-based assessment is to improve the teaching/learning process by
identifying new ways to re-examine the courses you teach and to measure
what works with students and what doesnt.
Q. Wont classroom-based assessment add greatly to my workload?
A. Articulating course goals in measurable terms and developing assessment
tools and data collection methods will be time-consuming at first. However,
you may find that what originally seemed like a lot of unnecessary work may
actually generate renewed interest in an old course and a recharged excitement
about teaching. Once youve figured out how assessment fits into your teaching
style and goals and have developed the tools youll need to implement it in
your classroom, student evaluation may become easier and more efficient,
freeing up more of your time.
Q. Assessment activity is not established as part of the faculty reward system
on campus. How can I benefit from assessment on a professional level?
A. Assessment activity is not yet an explicit part of the faculty reward system but
is taking on more institutional importance. Assessment can also benefit you
professionally by improving your teaching skills and facilitating your interac
tions with students, which are important to the faculty reward structure. In
addition, many grant funding agencies now require strong assessment compo
nents to any projects designed to improve teaching and learning.
Q. Im convinced of the potential benefit of bringing assessment into my classroom, but Im unclear where to start.
A. Once youve made the decision to do classroom-based assessment, the actual
process is quite simple and focuses around identifying course goals and objec
tives, and developing assessment tools to evaluate how well you and your
students meet those goals during the semester. The next chapter in this hand
book helps you get started on this plan.

8 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Chapter 2

Adapting Your Course to Include Assessment

The purpose of this chapter

First outlining ways to get started with assessment, this chapter goes on to offer
suggestions on how to define course goals and objectives and provides a work
sheet to help you tie goals and objectives to your course syllabus. It helps you
determine what assessment methods you are already using and discusses the
ways to start including more deliberate assessment in the courses you teach.
Chapter 2

At A Glance

Course-embedded
assessment involves
taking a second look at
materials generated in the
classroom so that in
addition to providing a
basis for grading students,
these materials allow
faculty to evaluate their
teaching.
Palomba, C. A. &
Banta, T. W. (1999)

Suggestions for getting started

Steps in the process
Sample goals and objectives
Questions and answers

Suggestions for Getting Started

At its most basic, the assessment process can be broken down into three parts:
1. establishing student learning goals and objectives for the course
2. measuring whether these goals have been met
3. using the results to improve teaching and learning in the course
You already go through these steps, at some level, whenever you develop a new
course or consider revising an existing one. In formal assessment, these steps become
more systematic and detailed to ensure clearly articulated links between what you
want students to learn and your understanding of what they actually do learn.
In this chapter, we will walk you through each of these steps. Before you
begin, take some time to reflect on the course you will be assessing.
Take an inventory of your classroom teaching goals to become more aware of
what you want to accomplish in your courses.
Identify what, if any, assessment methods (meaning, methods you use for
gathering information on your students and their performance) you are cur
rently using (e.g., tests, exams, surveys etc.).

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 9

Steps in the Process

Step 1: Establishing Learning Goals and Objectives

Just like the term assessment, there are varying definitions of goals and objectives. For consistency
and ease of understanding as you work through this handbook, these terms will be used as defined:

Goals describe broad learning outcomes and concepts (what you want students to learn) expressed in
general terms (e.g., clear communication, problem-solving skills, etc.).

Objectives describe specific learning behaviors that students should exhibit in the context of the

course. Objectives are the specific skills, values and attitudes students should exhibit that reflect the
broader goals (e.g., for students in a freshman writing course, this might be students are able to
develop a cogent argument to support a position). Often in the assessment literature, objectives
and outcomes are used interchangeably.

Identifying and Articulating Course Goals

Drafting Course Objectives

Again, course goals reflect the broad concepts and skills you
want students to develop as a result of your course. Explicit
goals can help you focus the design and structure of your
course and guide your development and implementation of spe
cific, measurable course objectives.
So begin by asking yourself, What are the major academic
goals I want students to achieve in this course? and write
down your responses. Remember that the goal statements can
be quite broad and theoretical. You will become more specific
when you develop the learning objectives for the course.

Course objectives transform goal generalizations into specific

student performance and behaviors that demonstrate student
learning and skill development.
Here are three questions that focus on objectives in slightly
different ways. Use them to help you identify course objectives:

If you are having trouble identifying course goals, try answering

these questions:

Why do you use current assignments, course structure, and

activities? What is it you want to help students learn through
these course elements?
What do you want your students to learn and in what ways
do you want them to grow?
In the past, have your goals for students been realistic?
What do your students usually learn and in what ways do
they usually grow?
Where do students have difficulty; what do they consistently
not get?
If you ran into a student who had taken your class the
previous semester, what would you hope the student would
say about what she took away from your course?

For each of your stated goals, what are the specific student
behaviors, skills, or abilities that would tell you this goal is
being achieved?
Ideally and briefly, what would a skeptic need (what evidence
needs to be present, what specific behavior needs to be visible)
in order to see that your students are achieving the major
goals you have set out for them?
In your experience, what evidence tells you when students
have met these goals how do you know when theyre
getting it?

Effective Objectives
use action words that specify definite, observable behaviors
(See table on next page).

indicate an appropriate level of attainment

are assessable through one or more indicators
comprehensively and meaningfully define a goal
are realistic and achievable
use simple language
Adapted from California State University, Bakersfield, PACT Outcomes
Assessment Handbook (1999).

The University of Iowa maintains an on-line version of the Cross and Angelo (1993) Teaching Goals
Inventory (http://www.uiowa.edu/~centeach/tgi/). On the site, you can rate the importance of a host of
learning goals and submit the results. You are provided with a summary report of the relative importance
you place on various types of goals.

10 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

noteworthy

Blooms taxonomy (1964) is a well-known description of levels of educational objectives. It may be useful to
consider this taxonomy when defining your objectives.

Level

Cognitive Behaviors

1. Knowledge

to know specific facts, terms, concepts, principles, or theories

2. Comprehension

to understand, interpret, compare and contrast, explain

3. Application

to apply knowledge to new situations, to solve problems

4. Analysis

to identify the organizational structure of something; to identify parts,

relationships, and organizing principles.

5. Synthesis

to create something, to integrate ideas into a solution, to propose an

action plan, to formulate a new classification scheme

6. Evaluation

to judge the quality of something based on its adequacy, value, logic or use

WORD POWER
Concrete verbs such as define, argue, or create are more helpful for
assessment than vague verbs such as know, understand or passive verbs
such as be exposed to. Some examples of action words frequently used in
objectives are included in the table below.
Knowledge
define
identify
indicate
know
label
list
memorize
name
recall
record
relate
repeat
select
underline

Comprehension
classify
describe
discuss
explain
express
identify
locate
paraphrase
recognize
report
restate
review
suggest
summarize
tell
translate

Application
apply
compute
construct
demonstrate
dramatize
employ
give examples
illustrate
interpret
investigate
operate
organize
practice
predict
schedule
shop
sketch
translate
use

Analysis
analyze
appraise
calculate
categorize
compare
contrast
criticize
debate
determine
diagram
differentiate
distinguish
examine
experiment
inspect
inventory
question
relate
solve

Synthesis
arrange
assemble
collect
compose
construct
create
design
formulate
manage
organize
perform
plan
prepare
produce
propose
set-up

Evaluation
appraise
assess
choose
compare
contrast
decide
estimate
evaluate
grade
judge
measure
rate
revise
score
select
value

Adapted from California State University, Bakersfield, PACT Outcomes Assessment Handbook (1999).

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 11

What are some examples of

effective goals and objectives?
The goals and objectives that follow are examples for you to consider as you
think about your own.

Biology
Course Goal
Students will learn and demonstrate use of the scientific method for original
scientific research.
Objectives
- The student will demonstrate that s/he has formulated an hypothesis, designed a
good experiment, controlled variables, operationally defined terms and interpreted data
appropriately
- The student will demonstrate understanding of the scope and sequence of the scientific
report format by outlining and completing a report based on one of the in-class
experiments.
adapted from California State University Multi-Campus Team Drafts (1998).

English Composition
Course Goal
Students will learn to acknowledge and adjust to a variety of writing contexts.
Objectives
- The student will demonstrate through discussion, planning and writing an awareness that
audiences differ and that readers needs/expectations must be taken into account as one
composes text
- The student will demonstrate in writing the ability to draft and revise work with a sense of
purpose and an awareness of audience
adapted from California State University Multi-Campus Team Drafts (1998).

Management
Course Goal
The student will identify those activities that are most likely to distinguish effec
tive, well-managed technology development programs from ineffective programs.
Objectives
- The student will outline the six components of an effective management

development program.

- The student will develop a formal evaluation checklist to assess program success.
adapted from Diamond, Designing and Assessing Courses and Curricula (1998).

Religion
Course Goal
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the theological foundation of
the course.
Objective
- When given a definition of the term religion, the student will identify which of the
following characteristics is emphasized: feeling, ritual activity, belief, monotheism,
the solitary individual, social valuation, illusion, ultimate reality, and/or value.
adapted from Diamond, Designing and Assessing Courses and Curricula (1998).

12 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

History
Course Goal
The student will learn to work as a knowledgeable practitioner in the discipline.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
-

describe relevant historical events and people

argue as an historian does
take a position on a debatable historical issue
use historical data as evidence for a particular position or point of view
raise and answer counter-arguments

Mathematics
Course Goal
The student will be able to apply course concepts to mathematical
problem-solving models.
Objectives
- The student will be able to solve algebraic and quadratic equations
- The student will demonstrate the ability to explain each step in the problem solving process

Economics
Course Goal
Students will use economic theory and modeling to explain government
policies and their effects.
Objectives
- Students will choose one topic relevant to current economic events and explain its relevance
in terms of economic principle and theory
- Students will develop and run a statistical model analyzing the current rate of inflation in

relation to the CPI

Physics
Course Goal
The student will be able to state and apply physical concepts in their own words
and to discuss what they dont know.
Objectives
- The student will select one physical law and design an experiment to demonstrate
its application

- The student will write a report on the experiment, including a section addressing

unanswered questions

Education
Course Goal
As a result of taking this course, the student will be able to evaluate and apply
educational theory and philosophy to the reality and challenge of todays system
of education.
Objectives
At the conclusion of this unit, the student will be able to:
-

discuss the philosophical foundation of education

identify popular theories of education and teaching
begin to apply philosophy and theory of education to their own development as an educator
assess the contribution and development of the other members of the assigned task group

Examples on this page have been adapted from Walvoord & Anderson, Effective Grading (1998).

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 13

Step 2: Identifying and Reviewing Existing Assessment Techniques

The next step in the assessment process is to identify what information you
already collect about student progress and how these measures tie to your
intended learning goals and objectives. Consider the following:
1. What information on student learning/performance do you currently collect
(e.g., first-day surveys, class assignments, tests, etc.)?
2. How informative are each of these to understanding the student learning
process?
3. How do these data sources relate to your newly articulated goals and
objectives?
4. Are there gaps between the information you collect and your course objectives?
What other information do you need to have to understand whether students
are meeting these objectives? (Identification of these gaps will be useful in
Chapters 4 and 5 when additional assessment techniques/options are provided).

noteworthy

As you continue to go through this workbook, keep in mind that existing assignments can be made more
valuable by self-consciously linking them to the objectives they are designed to assess. For example, the
grade for a final exam can be made more meaningful in determining the extent of student learning if each
construct or section of the exam is tied to specific, identified learning objectives for the course and discrete
scores for each of these constructs is recorded separately.

Step 3: Reviewing the Course Syllabus

At this point in adapting your course to include classroom-based assessment
you have developed specific course goals for student learning, outlined actionbased course objectives to help you measure student knowledge, behavior, and
skills, and identified current assessment techniques.
You should now look critically at whether your existing course syllabus
explicitly outlines anticipated learning outcomes and ties course content and
requirements to these outcomes. This is your first step in using the assessment
process to develop improved communication between you and your students.
Without clearly stated objectives that are linked to class content, it will be more
difficult to implement classroom assessment.
The Course Syllabus and The Course Skeleton
The course syllabus is one of the first lines of communication between you and
your students. You will not be able to accurately assess student learning without
an effective syllabus that details course goals, expectations and requirements.
These elements of the syllabus will serve as a starting point for implementing
classroom assessment in your course.
For example, chances are that if your original syllabus did not state course
goals, it may not be entirely clear to students how course goals and their own
learning connect in the course. A good place to start is to develop a course skele
ton that lists course goals and objectives and how each assignment will contribute
to successful learning outcomes. An example of a course skeleton follows.
14 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Economics Course Skeleton

Course: Economics and Political Thought
Goal #1:
Students will use economic theory and modeling to explain government policies
and their effects.
Outcomes reflecting this goal:
1. Students will choose one topic relevant to current economic events and
explain its relevance in terms of economic principle and theory.
Assignments that demonstrate accomplishment of this objective:
a. Five-to-seven-page midterm paper
b. Five minute in-class presentation based on midterm paper
2. Students will develop and run a statistical model analyzing the current rate of
inflation in relation to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Assignments that demonstrate accomplishment of this objective:
a. Data analysis preparation report describing data, steps in developing the
model and methodology

b. Statistical analysis results and one-page write-up

adapted from Walvoord & Anderson, Effective Grading (1998).

WORKSHEET
Worksheet for your course

Goal #1:

________________________________________________________________________________________
Outcomes reflecting this goal:
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assignments that demonstrate accomplishment of this outcome:
a.
b.
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assignments that demonstrate accomplishment of this outcome:
a.
b.

Goal #2:

________________________________________________________________________________________
Outcomes reflecting this goal:
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assignments that demonstrate accomplishment of this outcome:
a.
b.
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Assignments that demonstrate accomplishment of this outcome:
a.
b.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 15

Questions and Answers

Q. I teach more than one course a semester. Does it make sense to incorporate
classroom-based assessment into only one of my courses or should I do it for
each course I teach?
A. Classroom-based assessment techniques can be adapted to virtually any
course so you could, in theory, begin using them in each course you teach. In
practice, however, assessment specialists generally recommend beginning with
one course. This will allow you the time youll need to identify desired learn
ing outcomes for the course, adapt your syllabus to track those outcomes and
tailor assessment methods to course-specific needs. Later, you can use this ini
tial experience to bring assessment into other courses that you teach.

Q. Arent assessment methods more quantitatively-based than qualitative. How

can I apply them to assignments where the answers are not quantifiable, such
as research papers and essay exams?
A. Not all approaches to assessment must use quantitative data. A variety of
methods that will be discussed later in this handbook are based on qualitative
techniques. Identifying specific goals and objectives, as well as quality
standards, for qualitative assignments can help you in your assessment of
these types of assignments.

Q. How do I determine what the most appropriate assessment method is for a

particular assignment or group of assignments?
A. Selecting an appropriate assessment method for course assignments is tied
directly to the learning outcomes designated for each assignment and the traits
within that assignment that you have identified as important. The next chapter
of this handbook will describe the various assessment methods and discuss
ways to select the most relevant one for each assignment.

16 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Chapter 3

Selecting When and How Often to Assess

The purpose of this chapter

Assessment can be done at a specific moment or over an extended period. This
chapter explores ways to help you determine whether to assess student learning
at a particular point in time or throughout the semester. It also provides an
overview of classroom assessment techniques for both short and long-term
assessment models and discusses ways to make sure students are at the center of
your assessment activities.

Chapter 3

At A Glance

Many faculty have

been doing assessment
for their own sake, and
have not been over
whelmed with the task,
without particular
experience in evaluation
methodology.
Nichols, J. O. (1995)

Deciding on whether to assess at specific points in time or over time

Assessing student learning at specific points
Assessing student learning over the course of the semester
Engaging students in assessment
Questions and answers

Beyond Goals and Objectives

Once you have outlined course goals and objectives and identified the assessment
techniques youre already using, youll want to think about the length and scope
of the new course-embedded assessment techniques youd like to implement.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 17

Deciding Whether to Assess

at Specific Points in Time or Over Time
Classroom assessment can be conducted over the course of a semester or it can be done at a key moment
during a specific part of class. Whether you assess student learning on a longer-term basis or at-themoment really depends on what you are trying to evaluate and learn. (As is true in research generally, the
inquiry method you use is dependent upon the questions you want to answer.) Think about what you want
to learn from assessment results. Key questions to consider include:

1. Am I trying to gauge student learning of class content in general?

Yes

No

2. Do I care about the knowledge students bring into the classroom with them at the start of the
semester compared to the learning they will take away with them at the end?

Yes

No

3. Does the extent of progress or improvement over a period of days or weeks matter?

Yes

No

4. Do I want to assess the level of students reflective thinking about a particular reading assignment?

Yes

No

5. Am I interested in specific areas of learning that I have identified as particularly relevant or

important?

Yes

No

6. Am I concerned about how well students understand a complicated lecture?

Yes

No

If you answered yes to questions 1, 2 or 3, you should plan on using an assessment method that gauges
student learning over time. If you answered yes to questions 4, 5, or 6, you will need an assessment
method that evaluates student learning at a particular point in time. Of course, it is quite possible that all the
questions are of interest to you and you may want to incorporate both types of assessment in your model.
Specific ways to assess learning on both a short- and a long-term basis are discussed throughout this chapter.
Chapters 4 and 5 look at these methods in greater detail.

Assessing Student Learning: Specific Points in Time

It is often valuable to know whether students are keeping up with a particularly difficult lecture or have
understood complicated reading assignments at various points in the semester. While the ability to
understand key concepts should certainly increase as the semester progresses, levels of understanding and
learning can also rise and fall throughout the semester based on the material being covered at any given
point in time. In this way, at-the-moment assessment can be an important teaching tool that allows you to
adjust your instruction as the semester continues to accommodate fluctuations in student progress. Examples
of short-term assessment, (which are described in detail in Chapter 4), include the following:
Minute paper
Classroom polling techniques
Reflective thinking activities

18 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Muddiest point exercises

Primary trait analysis (scoring rubrics)
Background knowledge probes

Assessing Student Learning:

Over the Course of the Semester

One of the most effective ways of assessing student learning from the start of the
semester to the end is to track student progress throughout the semester. It is
somewhat more unusual for instructors to do this type of analysis because col
lecting data about student learning on specific learning outcomes across
assignments is sometimes seen as troublesome and time-consuming. This is not
always the case and can be avoided with a well-organized assessment plan. It is
frequently worth the effort because increases in knowledge and understanding
from the beginning of the semester/course until the end can tell you how well
students learned and whether long-term course goals and objectives were
achieved. Long-term assessment can be especially helpful in evaluating how well
a course has succeeded in meeting its central goals. It can also help identify areas
of content or instruction that were not as successful as others in facilitating stu
dent learning. Portfolio Analyses, Systematic Progression of Assignments, and
Pre- and Post-Tests are all examples of over-time assessment. They are dis
cussed in greater detail in Chapter 5.

Engaging Students in Assessment

One of the great benefits of many assessment techniques is that they provide an
opportunity to create clearer communication with your students. Key to the suc
cess of this process, however, is engaging your students in assessment, motivating
them to take the activities seriously, and helping them see how it can become a
valuable complement to their learning. Angelo and Cross (1993) write that:
Students are unlikely to realize the value of assessment, or of
self-assessment, unless faculty make them explicitly aware of it
through instruction and modeling. When students are helped to
see the useful ways that classroom assessment can inform
teaching and learning, they are much more likely to participate
fully and positively (p. 32).
Angelo and Cross also recommend that you maximize the positive impact of
classroom assessment by letting students know:
what the assessment results were
how you interpreted them
what you intend to do in response
As Wright (1991) puts it, classroom assessment has the potential to increase
interest in learning and change attitudes and behaviors when students become
more involved, self-reflective learners (p. 585).

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 19

How Can You Enlist Student

Involvement in Assessment?
1. Make it Count
Students are people, too, and like the rest of us, they want to know what is in it
for them. What will they gain by taking course-embedded assessment seriously?
Altruistically, we may not want to attach grades or rewards to assessment exer
cises. Unfortunately, this often translates into a lack of importance in the eyes of
many students. Therefore, for the most potentially reliable results:
- make all assessed assignments count in one way or another
- let students know how and why it will count
- explain how you will use the assessment component to evaluate their work

For instance, if you are using a scoring rubric, give them a copy of the evaluation
standards, or explain the standards to them in class. You can even ask them to
evaluate their own work using the rubric.

2. Its a Two-Way-Street
Beyond grades, students are also intelligent consumers. Help them understand
why assessment matters and how it can help you become a more effective
teacher and help them become more efficient learners. Explain how you will use
the data to adjust the course as it goes along and to fine tune it before you offer
it again. Let them know that their input will help future students who take this
course. This will help students:
-

invest in the process

see the big picture outside of the immediate effect assessment will have on them

keep lines of communication open

facilitate student-faculty interaction

3. Important to Their Future

The third key component to helping students understand the importance and
validity of classroom assessment is to show them how it will benefit them,
beyond grades, now and in the future. Use course goals, objectives and anticipat
ed learning outcomes to accomplish this, making sure to tie these to their future
study and the world off-campus and post-degree:
- Clearly articulate the transferability of the skills you are asking them to produce
- Stress what the data can tell all of us about student learning, skills, abilities and achievements
in general and how it can help them, as individuals, become self-reflective learners

- Show them how to use the data to alter and/or improve their own performance

In looking at how to engage students in assessment, Palomba and Banta (1999)

define the assessment process as a natural responsibility to our students and
each other that can help create high expectations for students as well as pro
vide opportunities for synthesizing experiences, for active learning and for
prompt feedback (p. 346). The challenge becomes helping students see the
importance of the cycle.

20 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Questions and Answers

Q. When deciding whether to use at specific points in time or over time

assessment, isnt a final exam for the course an easy way to accomplish both
types of assessment at once?
A. While administering a final exam at the end of the semester will give you an
idea of students learning at that point in time, standard year-end evaluations
are final judgments that do not allow time for instructional change and may
not provide real insight into student learning on specific goals and objectives.
At specific points in time assessment offers both you and your students the
chance to change direction, rethink priorities or keep going with whats
successful. Over time assessment, unlike final exams, shows the progression
of thought and provides the ability to document learning outcomes.
Q. How can I learn more about different assessment methods and how to
implement them?
A. Chapters 4 and 5 in this handbook will give you a basis for understanding
and beginning to implement classroom-based assessment techniques. These
chapters outline several specific methods and describe how to implement them,
how to collect and keep track of what you find out, and how to evaluate the
results in order to fine tune course content and instruction if necessary.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 21

22 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Chapter 4

Assessing Student Learning at Specific Points in Time

The purpose of this chapter

Assessing student learning at specific points in your course can mean assessing at
the start of the semester, after a particularly in-depth lecture, at times when you
think ideas are not flowing as freely as they might, to clear up potential areas of
confusion, or to encourage reflective thinking on particular issues or topics. This
chapter gives you examples of a variety of moment-specific assessment techniques.
The following methods of assessing student learning at specific points in time
facilitate the learning experience and help students become more conscious of
their learning. By linking course feedback to your goals and objectives, the
learning/evaluation process becomes more real for students. It gives them the
opportunity to reflect on their own learning in the context of articulated learning
outcomes for the course and to gauge the extent to which they are meeting these
outcomes. They, and you, can then make timely adjustments to teaching and
learning in the classroom.
Chapter 4

At A Glance

Assessing student background and experience

Assessing student learning on key points
Considerations for large lecture classes
Examples and worksheets (Appendix)

One important distinction in assessment methods is between techniques that

directly determine whether students have mastered the content of their academic
programs and those that ask students to reflect on their learning.
Palomba, C. A. &
Banta, W. (1999)

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 23

Assessing Student Background

and Experience
An example of a
student background
knowledge probe
can be found in
this chapters
Appendix

A good starting point for classroom assessment is to gauge the level of knowledge
and understanding that students bring into the classroom at the start of the semester.
A background knowledge probe asks students not only basic questions about pre
vious coursework and preparation but also focuses on identifying the extent to
which the student may or may not be familiar with key concepts that will be dis
cussed in the course. Use the background knowledge probe at the beginning of
the semester, at the start of a new unit, or prior to introducing a new topic.

Data collected from the background knowledge probe can help you:
1. understand the difference between student preparation and your expectations
2. plan and prepare for upcoming topics or units to be covered in the course
3. point out for students important areas in which they may lack basic knowledge
and identify resources that they can access to improve their level of understanding

Assessing Student Learning at

Key Points in the Semester

Worksheets and
examples can be
found in this
chapters Appendix

Knowing what a student brings to a course or a unit is important. Knowing

what learning is taking place at a specific moment in class is equally valuable.
Every instructor can identify key concepts within a course. Assessing the extent
to which students understand these key concepts can be especially helpful in
gauging whether students are getting course content, or moving through the
semester without a solid base of understanding on important fundamental concepts.
This information can also help you know whether to slow down, move faster or
adjust your syllabus to accommodate disparities in learning. Assessment methods
to gauge student understanding of core concepts include:
Primary trait analysis
Minute papers
Misconception/Preconception check
Muddiest point
Punctuated Lectures

24 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Chain Notes
Classroom Opinion Polls
Reading reaction
Paper reaction

Primary trait analysis

Primary trait analysis (PTA), adapted by Walvoord and McCarthy (cited in
Walvrood & Anderson, 1998) combines traditional grading practices with classroom-based assessment. This technique asks the instructor to link specific goals
and objectives outlined for a particular course assignment to varying levels of
achievement (e.g., excellent, good, fair, poor). These levels are based on the
degree to which the student has met the identified learning outcomes for the
assignment. To conduct PTA, the instructor: 1. breaks down individual compo
nents, or primary traits, of an assignment that are key to successfully meeting
assignment requirements; 2. identifies levels of achievement for each trait; and
3. constructs a grid (rubric) on which student achievement is scored.
For example, an essay for an English course might be analyzed for primary traits
and levels of achievement as follows:
Primary trait analysis
Trait

5-Excellent

4-Good

3-Adequate

2-Weak

1-Poor

Introduction
Argument
Grammar
Tone
Conclusion

The instructor would then check off the score for each of the five primary
traits listed as important for the assignment, with a minimum total score of 5
(poor) and a maximum total score of 25 (excellent). In this way, PTA can reduce
some of the subjectivity in grading and facilitate more reliable tracking of student
progress on important course objectives throughout individual assignments.
This example of a PTA rubric is very simple. Others are more complex, pro
viding definitions of what an Excellent introduction to an essay would look
like and sometimes assigning varying numbers of points to different traits based
on their importance in the assignment. (See Appendix 4-A for more information.)

Minute paper
The minute paper may be one of the most widely-used and accepted methods of
classroom assessment. This method offers a quick and easy way to assess student
learning at a particular point in time. Credited to Angelo & Cross (1993), the
minute paper not only provides helpful feedback but requires little time or effort
to administer. Several minutes before the end of class, you might stop your lec
ture or end the discussion to ask students to take one or two minutes to answer,
in writing, several questions about the days work. These questions might include
What is the most important thing you learned in todays class? or Do you
still have questions about the material we covered today? Students respond on
a sheet of paper and hand them in before leaving.
You can use the minute paper to assess:
- Student recall and understanding
- Student evaluation of what they recall
- Student ability to self-assess their learning and understanding

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 25

key points
continued

Misconception/Preconception Check
The misconception/preconception check is a way to assess what students bring
with them into class, or how they are processing information at various points in
the semester. Used at the start of a course, the misconception/preconception check
is a short survey, questionnaire or essay-type evaluation that asks students to com
ment on information and key points relevant to course content. Student answers
provide the instructor with an understanding of the extent of real understanding
or knowledge that students bring with them on the first day of class. It also offers
information about misconceptions students may also have, misconceptions that the
instructor can subsequently address and clear up during class.
The misconception/preconception check can also be used at various points in the semester to help
assess whether :
- misconceptions are clearing up or growing
- preconceptions are being reshaped
- students are improving in their ability to assess relevant course content and filter out
untruths or inaccuracies

Muddiest Point
The muddiest point exercise (Angelo & Cross, 1993) is a variation of the minute
paper. Administered during or at the end of a lecture or class discussion, the
muddiest point exercise asks students to think about what went on in class that
day and to write about what was the muddiest (least clear) point in that days
class.
This exercise:
- asks the student to reflect on the class lecture or discussion
- asks the student to decide what was understood and what was unclear
- asks the student to self-assess learning and to identify what did/did not work

One way to address the potential for confusion on key points is to incorporate
into your course syllabus pre-planned times to assess students for their
muddiest point. You can also use a more informal approach and assess for
confusion or misunderstanding when you sense there may be a problem.

26 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Punctuated Lectures
The punctuated lecture technique provides immediate, on-the-spot feedback on
how students are learning from a lecture or a demonstration, and how their
behavior may be influencing the process. It also encourages students to become
self-monitoring listeners and self-reflective learners. This technique is designed
for use in classes where lectures or lecture-demonstrations are a primary method
of instruction.
This technique requires students and teachers to go through five steps:
1. Listen- students begin by listening to a lecture or demonstration
2. Stop- after a portion of the presentation has been completed, the teacher
stops the action
3. Reflect- students reflect on what they were doing during the presentation,
and how their behavior may have helped or hindered their understanding of
the information
4. Write- students write down any insights they have gained
5. Feedback- students give feedback to the teacher in the form of short,
anonymous notes
Punctuated lectures can be used to monitor student listening skills throughout
the semester by asking students to save their written reflections in folders. After
they have done several of these self-reflection assignments, ask students what
they have written, looking for patterns and changes over time.
adapted from Angelo & Cross, Classroom Assessment Techniques (1993).

Chain Notes
To respond to Chain Notes, students in a lecture course pass around a large
envelope on which the teacher has written one question about the class and/or
teaching of the class. The students have all been given index cards beforehand.
When the envelope reaches a student, he or she spends less than a minute writing
a response to the question, then drops the card in the envelope and passes it on.
This assessment technique results in a rich, composite record of each individual
students reactions to the class in action. In this way, Chain Notes allow teachers
a view of their class through all their students eyes.
Chain Notes are most useful in large lecture or lecture-discussion classes where many students
have little direct contact with the teacher.

When you review the cards in the envelope, categorize them into relevant groups:
engaged/not engaged; interested/not interested; question/praise/neutral comment,
etc. Try to detect patterns in responses. Discuss these patterns in your feedback to
students. Ask for suggestions to promote more effective teaching and learning.
adapted from Angelo & Cross, Classroom Assessment Techniques (1993).

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 27

key points
continued

Classroom Opinion Polls

You may already use de facto opinion polling in your classes when you ask stu
dents to raise their hands to indicate agreement or disagreement with a particular
statement. Create a short survey (one or two questions) and ask students to com
plete it and hand it in. By making the Classroom Opinion Polls anonymous, they
will provide more honest and accurate results for you.
Classroom Opinion Polling can help you discover student opinions about
course-related issues. In this way, you can better gauge where and how to begin
teaching about issues that come up in students responses, and where potential
conflicts or divisions may arise. Students also learn about their own opinions,
compare those opinions to others, and test their opinions against evidence and
expert opinion. A number of UMass faculty use class talk to gather this type of
information.
Classroom Opinion Polls are particularly useful in large lecture classes where there is only limited
opportunity for students to express their thoughts, in preparation to discuss a controversial
issue, or to assess student opinion after you have presented class material.

Use the Classroom Opinion Poll to evaluate student learning over a period of
time or over the course of a semester by creating a pre- and post-assessment poll.
This assessment method will help you determine whether and how students opin
ions have changed in response to class discussions and assignments.
adapted from Angelo & Cross, Classroom Assessment Techniques (1993).

Reading Reaction
We often ask students to read and synthesize a wide variety of material during a
course. Because the reading for one course is only part of the entire reading load
a student may carry, the reading is often done in a hurry with the main purpose
not to learn but to get through it. This poses two problems:
1. The student is not reading to understand and gain knowledge, but reading to

complete an assignment.

2. The student may not have the time or inclination to think critically about the reading,

to judge its validity, or to evaluate its worth.

The reading reaction paper forces students to slow down the reading process and
asks them to actually think about what they have read. It may be administered
as a short homework assignment to be completed after the reading has been
done or as an in-class assignment to stimulate class discussion. Typically, a read
ing reaction paper asks students to respond (or react) to the reading (i.e., what
did the author say, did you agree with what was written, why/why not, etc.) in
one page or less (typed or handwritten). Part of the class that day can be used to
discuss student reactions to the reading, or the papers can simply be passed in to
provide feedback on student levels of understanding. Either way, it is a good idea
to record at least a pass/fail grade for these exercises to ensure student commit
ment to the task.
The reading reaction paper helps students learn by:
- building skills needed for critical thinking and argument construction
- encouraging students to take charge of a reading assignment and to judge its worth

- asking students to think instead of simply taking in the words as they read

28 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Paper Reaction Exercise

In addition to asking students to analyze assigned reading, we can ask them to
think critically about their own writing. The paper reaction exercise asks stu
dents to reflect back on a paper they have just written for course credit. It is
usually administered during class just prior to when the students turn in the
paper and is attached to the paper for the instructors information and feedback.
To complete this exercise, students might be asked to:
- think about and write a few sentences on what they really like about their
papers
- write what they do not like about their papers and what they would change if
they had the time
- reflect on one or two things about the subject that are still unclear even after
writing their papers
This technique can be particularly effective when you have clearly stated objectives/grading criteria (using a scoring rubric like the PTA) of the paper and ask
students to evaluate their own paper using these criteria. The purpose of the
paper reaction task is to:
- assess student ability to reflect on what they have learned and how well they have

transferred that learning into their own words

- allow the instructor greater insight into student thought processes as they relate to

reading, writing and interpretation skills

- open up the opportunity for discussion about the assignment in general, the papers

in particular and student response to both

noteworthy

Punctuated Lectures, Chain Notes, and Classroom Opinion Polls are particularly useful for faculty teaching
large lecture classes.

Considerations for the

large lecture classes (100+ students)
Faculty often raise the question of how to conduct classroom-based assessment
in large lecture classes. Assessing teaching and learning in a large class, where
students may feel as though they are little more than numbers on an attendance
roster, is as important as assessing at the small-class level. Students in large lec
tures often complain about being faceless, and many do not even bother to come
to class because they believe it doesnt really matter. Large lectures can be equal
ly alienating for the instructor. An in-class exam can only begin to suggest the
level at which individual students understand what is being taught in the class.
Creating opportunities for student interaction and applying classroom assess
ment techniques can improve the teaching and learning process in large classes
for both student and instructor.
Assessment in a large lecture class can be approached through:
- devising strategies to increase student involvement and make the class more interactive,

thus providing increased opportunity for assessment and evaluation

- adopting assessment techniques designed to give you (and your students) quick,
effective and constructive feedback on the teaching and learning process

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 29

Large Lecture Class Assessment How-To

Breaking a lecture class into interactive, self-directing groups is one strategy
that can make even large classes more participatory. If the chairs are bolted to
the floor in rows or if there is auditorium-style seating, students can still talk in
pairs. Many teachers use intermittent small-group interaction to break up the
lecture and to allow time to assess student learning on a more personal level. For
example, some teachers stop their lecture several times during the class to ask
students to compare and rework their class notes. Another strategy is to write a
questions on the overhead projector and then ask students to form pairs to dis
cuss the question. You may ask some pairs to report to the entire class.
A second strategy for making large classes more interactive and, thus, facilitating
the assessment process is to give formative, ungraded quizzes to determine how
students are comprehending course material. Using the kinds of questions that
students might see on your exams, place questions on the overhead, and then
give students a few minutes to respond. If the question entails multiple choices,
break the question down into components that students can quickly answer. The
preview of students answers can help you determine student understanding of
course content and show students problem areas that warrant further study.
A third strategy for making large lecture classes more interactive, and creating
more opportunity for assessment, is to build in tasks that ensure students come
prepared to a lab or discussion section. Time can be taken during lecture to ask
students to complete a few questions, talk with a neighbor, or sketch out a lab
procedure to prepare them for the lab or discussion to come. Another device for
interactive learning in a large class is for the lab instructor or discussion leader
to collect a ticket from each student before the student is allowed into class.
The ticket might be a short statement of basic principles the student should
have learned from the reading or in the lecture, thus showing the instructor that
the student is prepared.
In practice, many of the assessment techniques discussed in this chapter can
be used for lectures. Muddiest Points, Preconception Misconception Checks, and
Minute Papers lend themselves to the large lecture venue. Punctuated Lectures,
Chain Notes, and Classroom Opinion Polls all translate well into a large group
setting.

Sources for Making Large Classes Interactive

Bonwell, Charles & Eison, James. (1991). Active learning: creating excitement in
the classroom. Washington University. pp. 14-19.
Johnson, R. Neill, Enerson, Diane M., & Plank, Kathryn M. Selected
Bibliography for Teaching Large Classes. Pennsylvania State University.
http://www.psu.edu/celt/largeclass/lcbib.html
Tobias, Cynthia Ulrich. (1994). The way they learn. Dallas, TX: Word Books.
Sorcinelli, M.D. (Forthcoming). Promoting Civility in Large Classes. In
Teaching Large Classes Well: A handbook for faculty in higher education.
Christine Stanley and Erin Porter (Eds.) Bolton, MA: Anker Press.
Weimer, M. (Ed.) (1987). Teaching large classes well. New Directions for
Teaching and Learning (32), San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

30 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

WORKSHEET

Appendix 4-A
Samples, Examples and Worksheets

At a Glance:

Student Background Knowledge Probe

Primary Trait Analysis
Minute Paper
Misconception/Preconception check
Muddiest Point

Student Background Knowledge Probe

Course: English 251, A Survey of English Literature

Semester: Fall 1999

Name:

Address:

Phone and e-mail:

What is your major and class year?

Do you have a minor? If yes, what is it?
What preparation have you had (courses, work experience, etc) that you believe will help you do well in
this class?

What goals do you have for this course?

What do you already know? To help you (and me) understand the level of knowledge and experience with
English literature that you bring to this course, please complete the following table by first listing the
Shakespeare plays with which you are familiar and then indicating whether you read them, saw them per
formed in a theater, or saw them at the movies or on television.
Name of Play

Read

In Theater

Movies/TV

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Adapted from Angelo & Cross, Classroom Assessment Techniques (1993).

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 31

WORKSHEET

Primary Trait Analysis (PTA) Worksheet

It is helpful in understanding PTA, to place it along two continua: 1. The continuum from unstated criteria
(It feels like a B) to highly explicit criteria (Primary Trait Analysis); 2. The continuum from norm-referenced
scoring (grading on a curve) to criterion-referenced scoring (evaluation of student performance on predeter
mined standards).
PTA is both highly explicit and criterion-referenced. To construct a PTA scale, the teacher: 1. identifies
the factors or traits that will count for the scoring (such as thesis, materials and methods, use of color, eye
contact with client, and so on); 2. builds a scale for scoring the students performance on that trait; and
3. evaluates the students performance against those criteria.
Steps for Constructing a PTA Scale
If possible, work from examples of past student performances, grading check-lists, descriptions of criteria, comments on assignments
or testsanything that has helped you in the past to articulate criteria for students performances.
1. Choose a test or assignment that tests what you want to evaluate. Make clear your objectives for the assignment.
2. Identify the criteria or traits that will count in the evaluation. These are nouns or noun phrases, such as thesis, eye contact
with client, use of color, or control of variables.
3. For each trait construct a two- to five-point scale. These are descriptive statements tailored to the assignment criteria.

For example, A 4 thesis is limited enough to treat within the scope of the essay and is clear to the reader; it enters the

dialogue of the discipline as reflected in the students sources, and it does so at a level that shows synthesis and original

thought; it neither exactly repeats any of the students sources nor states the obvious.

4. Try out the scale with a sample of student work or review with colleagues and revise.

The following worksheet will help you identify the performance levels and an appropriate scoring rubric. List up to four
of the primary traits you identified above and the scoring criteria you would use for each trait. Weve provided an example
below and left room for you to continue with your own.
Rating/Scoring Level
Traits
The student is able to
construct a logical
argument

4-Excellent
The student takes a
position and defends
the position with
examples and refer
ence to the reading.

3-Good
The student takes a
position and defends it
with examples but
does not refer to the
reading.

1.

2.

3.

4.

adapted from Walvoord, B.A., & Anderson, V.J., Effective Grading (1998).

32 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

2-Weak
The student takes a
position but does not
defend it with
examples or reference
to the reading.

1-Poor
The student takes no
discernible position on
the issue.

Minute Paper Example

Concerned that his students may not be understanding the importance of multiple points within his introduc
tory statistics lectures, this instructor took several minutes at the end of each class to ask the following question:
What are the five most important points from this session?
What one or two questions still remain in your mind?
The students were given five minutes to write. The instructor collected the responses and read them through,
making a list of important points and important questions and tallying how often each item was repeated.

Results
Many points that students listed as important the instructor felt were simply details.
Students came up with as many as 20 different important points from the same lecture.
Some students mentioned points that he had not even brought up in the lecture at all.
The next day, the instructor listed the 10 or 12 most common responses on the board before class. He began
class by explaining the relative importance of each point and their relationship to each other. He also told
them which points were not related and used the discussion to answer several of the important questions that
had been raised in the minute papers.
After a month of using the minute paper at the end of each class, with a feedback session at the start of the
next, the average number of different important points dropped from 20 to 8. Repeated use of the minute
paper helped his students learn to listen more carefully and helped him realize the importance of being
explicit in his lectures.
adapted from Angelo & Cross, Classroom Assessment Techniques (1993).

Misconception/Preconception Check Example

At the start of the semester, the instructor of a pre-Columbian history course explained to the 25 students in
class that she was gathering information on what each student already knew about the Americas and Native
Americans before 1492 so that she could better tailor her teaching to fit their existing knowledge. She passed
out sheets of blank paper and asked the students to write their answers to the following questions, without
putting their names on the papers. They had five minutes to write.
The questions were:
1. About how many people lived in North America in 1491?
2. About how long had they been on this continent by 1491?
3. What significant achievements had they made in that time?
After she had collected the papers, the instructor wrote a fourth question on the board:
4. Where did you get those first three answers?
The students spent the rest of the class period trying to answer the fourth question and realized that they could
not. Their impressions of pre-Columbian history were based on vague knowledge whose source they were
unable to identify. At the end of class, the instructor gave the students their first library research assignment: work
in pairs to double-check the accuracy of their answers to the first three questions.
From Angelo & Cross, Classroom Assessment Techniques (1993).

The Misconception/Preconception Check shows not only how an instructor can quickly gauge a students
initial knowledge or understanding, but how to catch students interest in a particular subject. This technique
can also be an end-of-the-semester exercise used to assess the accuracy of student understanding after
completing the course.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 33

WORKSHEET

Muddiest Point Exercise

In thinking about one of the courses you teach, which topics do you believe might be most likely to cause confusion or muddiness?
1.
2.
3.
4.

Can you think of ways to adjust your teaching methods to anticipate and address this potential confusion?
Possible Muddy Point

What Can I Do In Advance?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Use the following table to help you think about possible muddiest points and when you might want to assess
student understanding of these topics.
Key Point / Knowledge

Start of Semester

1.

2.

3.

4.

34 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Mid-Term

Chapter 5

Assessing Student Learning

Over the Course of the Semester

Assessment looks for

achievement but also
monitors the learning
process; it is both sum
mative and formative.
Wright, B. D. (1991)

Chapter 5

At A Glance

The purpose of this chapter

This chapter looks at ongoing ways to assess student learning throughout the
semester including techniques for structuring course assignments and the overall
course schedule. Pre- and post-learning assessment techniques and portfolio
analysis are also discussed as well as common questions about assessing student
learning over the course of the semester.
Tracking student achievement over time is one of the best ways that you, as the
instructor, have to document that students are really accomplishing what you
intend. Course goals are sometimes vague and difficult to quantify. Specific
objectives that outline what a student must do to demonstrate completion of
course goals make it easier to observe whether or not course goals have been
achieved. Incorporating classroom assessment into your teaching and curriculum
design facilitates specific documentation of results that clearly demonstrate
student learning from the beginning of the semester until the end of the course.
Chapter 4 outlined a group of assessment techniques that can be used to evaluate
student learning at key points in the course. Each of these techniques can
become part of a long-term assessment plan by being used repeatedly as the
course goes along. Results from each set of assignments can help the instructor
and the students see progress on the learning outcomes unfold as the semester
progresses. Additionally, there are a variety of assessment tasks that have been
developed specifically to address long-term results. A discussion of a number of
these tasks follows.
Primary trait analysis
Systematic progression of assignments
Pre/post-test survey
Portfolio analysis
Considerations for the large lecture class
Questions and answers

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 35

Primary Trait Analysis

Primary Trait Analysis (PTA), described in Chapter 4, can also be used to assess
student learning over the course of the semester. Primary Trait Analysis links spe
cific goals or objectives to varying levels of achievement (e.g., excellent, good, fair,
poor). To use PTA over the course of the semester, track individual components, or
primary traits, across several assignments. PTA is particularly useful for long-term
tracking of results as the scores from the PTA rubrics are easily quantifiable and
can provide clear data on student progress across key traits for course assignments.

Systematic Progression
of Assignments
Systematic progression of assignments refers to a group of assignments that has
been scheduled throughout the semester to track student progress on specific
learning objectives as they occur. These often (or may) focus on one particular
learning objective the instructor is particularly interested in studying. Each
assignment is connected both to the one before and to the one after to maintain
a formal record of student progress. Ways to develop this record include:
- breaking down a large term project into individual components spread out over the

course of the semester, evaluated separately, and then evaluated as a final product

- weekly quizzes and lab reports

- an essay question on each exam that is directly related to a specific course objective

When using systematic progression of assignments to assess student learning,

your most important task is to maintain clear and consistent records of results.
The extent to which these results identify overall student learning or student
learning on specific objectives that have been identified on the course syllabus
depends on the method of tracking that you use. By using the same scoring
rubric throughout the semester, you can track individual student progress on spe
cific key traits over time.

noteworthy

The Appendix to this chapter includes examples of these assessment methods.

Pre/Post-Test Survey
Pre- and post-test surveys are another way to assess student learning from the start
of the course until the end. A pre-test survey can be used at the beginning of the
semester to capture the extent of student knowledge and understanding about key
course concepts they will study that semester. It can also be used to measure students
attitudes and values relevant to course concepts and predictive of their response and
position on course materials. Using a follow-up post test (either the same as the pre
test, or somewhat different) at the end of the semester and comparing results from the
two can be an effective way to demonstrate student achievement over time.

noteworthy

Pre/post-test surveys are similar to the misconception/preconception task discussed in Chapter 4, but look
for general knowledge and background rather than inaccurate or judgmental ideas.
36 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Portfolio Analysis
Portfolio analysis is becoming an increasingly popular method of assessment,
both at the classroom and the program level. Portfolio analysis looks at student
work during a period of time and evaluates the extent of learning based on the
progression of the work from the first assignment until the last. At the classroom
level, this might include a series of writing assignments of increasing difficulty or
all work that the student has produced for a particular course. At the program
level, the portfolio might include all key pieces of work that the student has
completed for the major.
The advantages of the portfolio as a method of longer-term assessment include:
- A visual representation of student learning from beginning to end
- A concrete way to track and document student progress over a period of time
- A hard copy record of tasks and output for the student to retain for future reference and use
- A systematic progression of tasks that can be linked to course goals and objectives and

interpreted in the context of whether each was accomplished

- An opportunity for students to reflect on their own progress as they review their portfolio

A key piece in portfolio work is getting students to analyze and reflect on their
portfolio what can they see that theyve learned, what doesnt it tell them
about what theyve learned, and how can they document the progression of their
ideas and work from the beginning of the semester until the end. As one student
wrote in a final paper that asked her to reflect back on a series of six essays
written over the semester:
One of the most valuable aspects of this course, for me, has
been the opportunity to look back on the work that I have
completed. Through these papers, I can see how my ideas have
changed, how my writing has improved and how my under
standing of course material is reflected more in the last two
papers than in the first
Portfolio work offers not only an opportunity for the instructor to see the pro
gression of students performance over time, but can also help the student see the
value of reflecting back on her own work.

Considerations for the

large lecture classes (100+ students)
Assessing student learning over the semester in large lecture classes can be
accomplished in many of the same ways as for smaller classes. Please refer to
Chapter 4, and the Appendix at the end of Chapter 4 for discussion of these
techniques.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 37

Questions and Answers

Q. Im a math teacher. While I can see the value of assessing individual

assignments, as well as assessing over the course of the semester, Im not
convinced that primary trait analysis and portfolio analysis can be adapted
to my discipline. Arent grades the best measure of math proficiency?
A. Mathematics faculty and faculty from other quantified disciplines often
believe that assessment other than grades would be difficult to implement in
their courses. The literature on this dilemma is clear (Keith, 1995; Walvoord
& Anderson, 1998); math and science lend themselves as successfully to
assessment and primary trait analyses as do the humanities and social sciences.
For example, math instructors often give partial credit for partially correct
answers. This situation is a particularly good match for the scoring rubric,
where the student may do well (5) in outlining the problem, but poorly on
the actual calculation.
Q. After assessing student learning outcomes over the course of the semester,
what if my results show that students are not learning in some areas? Who
will see the data?
A. One of the most positive aspects of classroom-based assessment is the
potential for self-reflection and self-evaluation, both on your part and by your
students. By collecting and documenting assessment results, you will have the
opportunity to see what is working for your students and what is not. Using
these results can help you adjust your syllabus, instructional methods and
assignments to make them more effective. The data can also show you the
aspects of your course that are working really well. In addition, sharing the
results with your students can help them evaluate their own learning and
reflect on ways that they can improve as participatory learners.
Another positive aspect of assessment is that if you are collecting the data,
they are yours to share or not to share. You can use this information for your
own purpose, or pass it along to your peers to help them re-evaluate their own
teaching and course materials. The specific purpose of the assessment (e.g.,
achieve learning outcomes, improve instruction, complete departmental
evaluation requirements, etc.) and who is involved in the process determine
who sees the results.
Q. I can see the value of collecting data on student learning as the semester
moves along, but Im unclear what the data will mean as well as what to do
with the results once I have them.
A. At times it may seem like collecting the data is the easy part while knowing
what to do with the results is another story. However, data from classroom
assessment can be invaluable to improving teaching and learning, and
improving curriculum quality. The results can go to whom you choose, and
can be used for a variety of purposes, from professional growth to institutional
evaluation. How and why you use the data depends on your purpose in
assessing. Chapter 6 discusses using the results in greater detail.

38 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Appendix 5-A
Samples, Examples and Worksheets

At a Glance:

Primary Trait Analysis

Systematic Progression of Assignments
Portfolio Analysis

Primary Trait Analysis Example

The following example was used in a junior-level anthropology course. Concerned about the ways his students
were organizing their written analysis about theoretical anthropology texts, this instructor used a scoring rubric
for seven written assignments that tracked organization and mechanics on each assignment. While each assign
ment had slightly different criteria, two features remained consistent throughout the seven written assignments:
Organization sequencing of key ideas; and Mechanics spelling, punctuation, proofreading accuracy.
Anthropology 364
Total points possible: 30

Scoring: assignment 1
Total points earned: ________

Content
_____ 1. Summarize (in a paragraph or two for an anthropologist unfamiliar with this particular group of people) what Mead
considers to be some of the most important features of Samoan culture (5 points)
_____ 2.a. What is Meads objective in writing this ethnography? (5 points)
_____ 2.b. What methods or techniques does she use to obtain the information expressed in the ethnography? (5 points)
_____ 2.c. What are the categories of Samoan culture that Mead uses in her description? (5 points)
_____ 2.d. Whose viewpoints or perspective is expressed: the ethnographers; or that of the individual members of the society
studied; or someone elses and how? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a stance? (4 points)
Organization
_____ The organization of ideas, including appropriate use of evidence and inferences (3 points)
Mechanics
_____ Mechanics: proofreading, punctuation, grammar, and spelling (3 points)
Anthropology 364
Total points possible: 30

Scoring: assignment 4
Total points earned: ________

_____ Summarize Wolfs explanation as to how cultural changes occur. Note that this summary should be directed not to Wolfs
views in general, but specifically to the causes of cultural change (8 points)
_____ Then summarize Sahlins position on the relation of history and culture (e.g., What is the connection between history and
culture?) (8 points)
_____ Choose either Sahlins or Wolfs position as your own, and defend its superiority against the opposing point of view. In
this portion, the essay should be explicitly comparative, demonstrating why a feature of Wolfs view is better than the
same feature in Sahlins view or vice versa (8 points)
_____ Clarity of argument: good organization of ideas to make a compelling case (3 points)
_____ Mechanics: spelling, grammar, punctuation, proofreading (3 points)

Results
At the end of the semester, the instructor analyzed students scores and found:
students raw scores generally went up over the course of the semester for both criteria:
organization and mechanics.
the variability across students grades decreased as well, suggesting that peer critiques gave students the
opportunity to see examples of organization and mechanics by their peers who scored well on these two
criteria and led to less differentiation in performance across the class.
personal correspondence, R. Faulkingham, University of Massachusetts
OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 39

Systematic Progression of Assignments

Tracking student learning through a series of course assignments can provide a wealth of information on how well
course goals and objectives are being met. For example, a faculty member teaching a junior-level accounting
course decided to study the extent to which her students were able to report on the results of their in-class
auditing assignments. She put together a series of assignments as follows to track expected skills and knowledge.

Sample Assignments to Track Skills and Knowledge

Assignment

Why Use?

Assess What?

One-paragraph audit report

(first four weeks of the
semester)

Begin to expose students to

techniques on writing clear
and easy to understand
accounting documents.

Basic understanding of
accounting practice and
general technical writing skills.

One-page audit report (at

week 6 and week 8)

Help students learn to expand

on introductory exposure to
writing audit reports.

Moderate understanding of
accounting practice and ability
to explain the results of this
practice to layperson.
Technical writing skills.

Two-page audit report with

charts and tables (week 10)

Offer students the opportuni

ty to create more formal,
explanatory report in greater
detail and help them learn to
provide examples from
accounting and use effective
graphs and charts.

Solid understanding of
accounting practice and
increased ability to translate
results in a format that will be
easily accessed by the reader.

Formal oral presentation with

audio-visual aids and written
5-7 page report with charts
and tables.

Present a real-life scenario

that asks students to prepare
and present results of
accounting practice, as might
be required in the corporate
world.

In-depth understanding of
accounting practice. Strong
oral and written presentation
skills. Ability to translate
classroom theory into a
hypothetical situation.

Two essay exams, one at

mid-term and one at the end
of the semester.

Ask students to write short

essay questions related to
course concepts and lectures.

Evaluate particular broad

course concepts that are
interconnected through each
class discussion and each
assignment outlined earlier in
this table.

40 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Portfolio Analysis
In a basic writing course, an instructor used portfolio analysis to assess students
development as writers over the course of the semester. Each student collected
the essays that he or she had written over the course of the semester, edited the
essays again briefly, printed clean copies, and then compiled the essays into a
self-designed "oeuvre" or portfolio. In addition to the essays, students included
introductions to their portfolios. The instructor provided students a list of crite
ria that they could address in their introductions. Criteria included:
self-assessment of their development as a writer, self-reflection about their
strongest and weakest essays, and other insights about themselves as learners.
Rather than a final exam, the instructor used the portfolio as an end-of-thesemester assessment measure.
The portfolio allowed the instructor to:
- assess each students writing development over the course of the semester
- assess the effectiveness of specific assignments across student portfolios and adjust her
curriculum accordingly
- review the order of assignments in relation to student progress
- gauge student perceptions of the assignments
- learn more about her students perceptions about themselves as writers and the purpose of
writing in their academic lives
The portfolio allowed students to:
- assess their progress as learners and writers over the course of the semester
- review the amount, quality, and kind of writing that they had accomplished. For basic writers
who are often hesitant about their abilities as writers, the portfolio was a way to showcase
their writing in a way that valued their work
- reflect on their struggles and successes during the semester and consider why these struggles
or successes occurred
- become more articulate in discussing their writing process
University of Massachusetts Writing Program

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 41

42 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Chapter 6

Interpreting and Using the Results

of Classroom Assessment

The purpose of this chapter

Defining and collecting assessment data is only part of the process.
Understanding what the data tell you and deciding what to do with the results
once you have gathered them are equally important. If you have chosen to assess
student learning in your course, you may be doing so simply to find out more
about the teaching and learning that goes on in your classroom. In that case,
collecting and understanding the data is enough. If you have been asked to
provide assessment data for institution-based program review or for external
accreditation, you might need to prepare a more formal summary of the results.
This chapter can help you with both. The question/answer section highlights
common concerns about compiling and distributing results.
Chapter 6

At A Glance
Effective assessment
must begin with real
concerns of the stake
holders and result in
useful information and
recommendations relat
ed to the purpose of the
assessment.
Farmer, D.W. &
Napieralski, E. A.
(1997)

Where to begin
Collection and analysis
Reporting your results
Questions and answers

Where to Begin
Knowing WHY you are assessing is key to deciding WHAT to do with the data
after you collect it. Assessment data can be gathered for a variety of reasons:
Classroom-based improvement in teaching and learning
Department-based review
Institution-wide program review requirements
External accreditation initiatives
Each of these reasons has its own reporting needs. Assessment data collected for
the purpose of improving teaching and learning at the classroom level may need no
formal report at all, particularly if you are undertaking the assessment on your
own initiative. The key factor here is to understand what the data are telling you
and to know what you will do with that information once you have it. When you
collect assessment data for campus-wide program review requirements, or external
accreditation you may be asked to prepare and submit a report describing the data,
what you found and how you will use it to improve your course (see OAPAs
Program-Based Assessment Handbook for more information about program
assessment.) Whether you assess for your own edification, for internal review or for
external accreditation, assessment begins with collecting and analyzing the data.
OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 43

Collection and Analysis

Identifying how you can use the results of your assessment data to improve teaching and learning in your
course is essential to the assessment process. The first step is organizing the information you have collected.
Think about what you were assessing and what assessment method you used. What type of data did that
method yield? For example, if you decided to assess student knowledge at the beginning of the course you
may have chosen to use a Student Background Probe as an initial assessment tool. This probe provides a
variety of data, both qualitative and quantitative, on each student in your class and offers a good starting
point from which to implement other evaluations and assessments.
After you determined the types of data you collected through the background knowledge probe, you will
want to analyze the data and determine what these results tell you. There are a variety of ways to analyze
your data, ranging from informal eye-balling analysis to more formal statistical manipulation. You may
find the following worksheet helpful in organizing the information youve collected.

Analyzing Your Data (the first entry offers examples of answers you may give)
Assessing
What?
Student knowledge
of course content
prior to beginning
course

Assessment
Method
Student
background probe

Type of Data
Collected

What Do the
Results Say?

Quantitative
survey data and
open-ended
response

60% of students
have some
pre-knowledge.
40% have none.

What Will
You Do?
Challenge those
who know, bring
those who dont
up to speed.

Any
Surprises?
I thought more
students would
already know the
information I
asked for.

A final step in this process is to take your plans, or what you will do with the results from the data now
that you have them, and make them more specific. For instance, the table above tells you that, based on
your data from the background knowledge probe, you need to challenge students who have more initial
background knowledge than others. You now have the opportunity to adjust your instruction and course
requirements in response to assessment results. How will you do this? Using an action plan, such as the one
following, can help in the process.
44 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

WORKSHEET

An Action Plan (entries 1 and 2 offer examples of answers you may give)
Action
Item

Action to Take

Steps to Implement

Encourage students who have

demonstrated prior knowledge

1. From the data, identify

content areas of greater
knowledge
2. Develop extra credit tasks for
students to complete to build
on their knowledge
3. Establish a reward system to
eliminate sense of extra work
as punitive

Bring those with less prior

knowledge up to speed

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.

Using an action plan such as the one above can help you determine and frame your experience with assessment in
terms of these results. This information can help you determine what you liked about the process, what you
didnt like and what you found out. A plan like this can also be useful if you are thinking about adjusting your
instructional methods during the semester, or at the beginning of the course when you teach it again, based on the
results of your assessment work. Collecting and analyzing the data, then deciding in a concrete way what you will
do with the data in the context of course instruction and student learning can help you to document your own
effectiveness in the classroom as well as to identify areas of assessment that might be more broadly useful.
OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 45

WORKSHEET

Reporting Your Results

In many cases, the sole purpose of your assessment activity may be for your own
edification. If so, you need go no further with your results. However, in other sit
uations, your assessment information may also be valuable to your departments
curricular revisions, general education reform, or to granting organizations that
help support your course revisions. In order for your findings to be more broadly
useful, you will need to communicate your findings to other audiences. This type
of report should cover five major components of assessment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

the goals and objectives you established for your course

the assessment methods you chose or designed
what you found out about student learning in your classroom
how these findings are being used for improvement
action to take

The matrix which follows may help you organize your results.

Assessment Matrix
Goal/Objective

Method

Results

adapted from Palomba, C. A., & Banta, T. W., Assessment essentials (1999).

46 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Interpretation

Action to Take

Questions and Answers

Q. As a faculty member, I hesitate to use assessment within my classroom

because it seems as though there is a potential for misuse of information.
Arent I setting myself up for negative repercussions if I end up collecting
negative data?
A. Collecting assessment data can only be a positive step. First, the results are
yours, to release or to keep private. Second, collecting data on student learning
outcomes can be used to improve your teaching and your course, which will
result in additional data the second time around, continuing the opportunity
for improvement and re-evaluation. Third, the more we get assessment out on
the table for discussion and the more faculty we involve in the process, the
more productive and effective our discussion will be.
Q. Once I have collected the data, how do I analyze it? My knowledge of
statistical analysis is very limited.
A. Analysis of assessment data collected in the classroom does not have to be
complicated. It can be as simple as figuring out what percent of students
passed the mid-term exam or as complicated as running a linear regression
model to predict final grades for next semester. Its up to you, to your areas of
interest and to the level of your ability to analyze data and communicate
results. Also, there are individuals and offices on campus who can help you
analyze the data if you have more complicated analyses in mind. This list of
resources is given at the end of this handbook.
Q. I plan on using a variety of assessment activities in one of my courses this
semester. Should I prepare feedback reports to the students on each assign
ment as it occurs or will one final report at the end of the semester be
sufficient.
A. One of the advantages of providing feedback to students on assessment results
is the opportunity to use these results as a teaching tool to not only refine your
own methods of instruction but to demonstrate to students the extent to which
they are achieving designated learning outcomes for the course. While prepar
ing a final report is a good way to give students an overview of the semester,
providing feedback as assessment results are gathered helps students stay in
touch with both learning and the learning process. If preparing feedback
reports for each assignment seems overwhelming, select only a few of the most
important ones to report back to students.
Q. I have a lot of assessment data collected from a course Im teaching this
semester but have no idea what to do with it. Are there certain report
guidelines I should follow?
A. Once you have collected the data, you should analyze it in the context of the
goals and objectives you have set for the class and the learning outcomes you
identified for each assignment. If you need more help in analyzing the data,
check out the on-campus resources listed in the back of this handbook.

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 47

48 OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst

Sources and Resources

This section offers a variety of on-campus and

on-line resources, as well as a reference list of
articles and publications cited in this handbook, to
provide additional assistance as you move deeper
into the assessment process.
On-campus resources are given to provide you
with a real person to contact should you have
questions, concerns or need additional information
or support.

On-line websites are listed to give you further

opportunity to explore how assessment is being used
at other large research institutions across the country.
These websites are particularly useful in providing
specific examples and how-to models as well as in
sharing how the assessment experience is playing out
in higher education today.
References from the literature offer more in-depth
discussion of handbook topics.

On-Campus

On-Line

Office of Academic Planning and Assessment

362 Whitmore Administration Building
Martha L. A. Stassen
Director of Assessment
(413) 545-5146
[email protected]
http://www.umass.edu/oapa

American Association for Higher Education

www.aahe.org
California State University - San Bernardino
http://academic-affairs.csusb.edu
www.co.calstate.edu/aa/sloa
ERIC Assessment Clearinghouse
http://ericae.net/
Internet Resources for Higher Education Outcomes Assessment
http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/upa/archives/assmt/resource.htm
Ohio University
www.cats.ohiou.edu/~insres/assessments/ncaplan.html
Penn State
www.psu.edu/dus/uac/assessme.htm
Southern Illinois University
www.siue.edu/~deder/assess
University of Cincinnati - Raymond Walters College
www.rwc.uc.edu/phillips/index_assess.html
University of Colorado - Boulder
www.colorado.edu/pba/outcomes
University of Michigan
www.umich.edu/~crltmich/crlt.faq.html
University of Nebraska
www.unl.edu/svcaa/priorities/assessment.html
University of Wisconsin - Madison
www.wisc.edu/provost/assess.html
Virginia Tech
http://aappc.aap.vt.edu

Office of Institutional Research

237 Whitmore Administration Building
Marilyn H. Blaustein
Director of Institutional Research
(413) 545-0941
[email protected]
http://www.umass.edu/oapa
Center for Teaching
301 Goodell Building
(413) 545-1225
[email protected]
http://www.umass.edu/cft

OAPA Handbook COURSE-Based Review and Assessment UMass Amherst 49

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