Here is a list of the tools department use for program assessment. Please let me know if you would like additional material posted on this page.
Email: jbeuerle@elon.edu
| Department | Tools |
| Art | Senior Seminar and Senior Thesis Committee (see below) |
| Biology | ETS |
| Chemistry | ETS and Chemistry Seminar |
| Computing Sciences | ETS and course based assessment for each course |
| English | ETS for LIT and TLC; outside portfolio reviews for CRW and PWR. Senior Presentation and exit exam for each major. |
| Foreign Languages | Spanish - Senior seminar. French and Spanish must do a formal oral presentation |
| History & Geography | |
| Human Services | Portfolio Assessment and incorporate department rubrics into course assignments (see below) |
| Mathematics | ETS and Senior Survey for each major |
| Music | |
| Performing Arts | |
| Philosophy | |
| Physics | GRE Test for physics given to juniors (Seniors are not at Elon due to 3/2 program for engineering) |
| Political Science & Public Admin. | Senior Presentations and Survey |
| Psychology | ETS (with additional item analysis) |
| Religious Studies | Senior Research Project and Presentations. Students evaluated by an outside examiner |
| Sociology & Anthropology | ETS |
Art
The Art Department uses several tools to directly and indirectly assess the program.
- Each concentration in our department developed their own set of Quality Hallmarks in conjunction with SACS. These hallmarks articulate the skills and level of conceptual thinking that we expect of our students upon graduation and the results are published in the year-end report. The results tell us as much about our program as they do about our students.
- Our Senior Seminar course focuses on cultural context and critical theory to stimulate students to view their work as part of a larger and ongoing dialogue on the nature of creativity and human expression. The level of engagement, understanding and implementation of these concepts by the students helps the department make decisions about adjustments in curriculum and emphasis.
- Last year, we initiated the Senior Thesis Committee that mentors seniors in the development of their final portfolio projects. The student selects three faculty to serve on their committee who provide critical analysis and feedback on student work. Students must be able to engage in critical discussions about the content, aesthetics, techniques and influences in their work. The process, subsequent evaluation and exhibition are their comprehensive evaluation. Again, this provides insights into our program.
- Art majors are required to fill out an evaluation form at the end of their senior year that allows them to respond to their entire art experience at Elon. They are asked questions about the extent and depth of learning, application skills and curriculum among others.
Human Services
We revised our senior assessment process this spring. I am still recovering from it all :-). We use portfolio method. We have chosen to focus on 3 of our 10 goals for the major. We developed student learning outcomes for each goal. Then we identified existing assignments in both Senior Seminar and Internship where we felt those outcomes should be demonstrated. Finally, we developed new rubrics for each of those assignments. This year faculty teaching those classes will integrate the rubrics into the regular grading of the identified assignments. Last year we didn't figure this all out and we had to "re-assess" the assignments from the fall. Needless to say, that was a HUGE pain. We are going to continue refining our rubrics and this year should be a smoother process. I will say that we gained insight into holes within our curriculum. We also noticed inconsistencies in rigor across faculty and plan to address this issue during the fall. This year we will strive to have two readers on a percentage of assignments to improve consistency in grading. After we've completely figured out the best way to assess these 3 goals, we'll move on to another batch. Hope that helps!