The Division's first New Student Orientation will be held tomorrow. This is the first event at which our incoming class will be on campus as NMSU students!

Students and their families are a key audience for the Division. These events are important opportunities for learning about how to succeed at NMSU.

Students will participate in a 3-hour orientation in small groups headed by Student Orientation Leaders. They will also get ID cards, register, be advised, and take their first steps toward becoming an Aggie.  read more »

The following list of reasons to do assessment were developed by Natalie Aranda, Program Manager for Planning and Support Services in DSS. I think Natalie has really hit the nail on the head and has provided all of us with some insight to make assessment, especially Student Learning Outcomes Assessment, more meaningful for all of us. Thanks Natalie!

Thoughts on benefits of identifying, measuring, and assessing learning outcomes in the Division of Student Success
March 24, 2008

1. Emphasis and focus is back on what matters most, students (i.e. learners)  read more »

ETS posted a report yesterday about developing a culture of evidence surrounding student learning outcomes relevant to what we are doing at DSS with learning outcomes. The file is attached, and the link is below. There are two other reports also at the link on a culture of evidence.

http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.1488512ecfd5b8849a77b13bc392...  read more »

Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning
American Association of Higher Education
Full Document available at: http://condor.depaul.edu/~acafflpc/aahe.htm  read more »

The time to start thinking about Student Learning Outcomes Assessment is NOW! Here are some steps to start you off on the right foot –
1. Think about what your office does that affects student learning (in any way, shape, or form)
2. Put that action/effort/activity into a statement of the form “Students will be able to ”
3. Think about how that can be (really) measured
4. Consider what you would do with the results (would it be meaningful?)
5. Select the top three to five  read more »

It is critical in Assessment that all defined outcomes are measurable. It is the measurement of the “outcome” that elucidates the area for improvement which is the true purpose of assessment. Once you determine the outcome is measurable, determine if it is useful. Even if we had time to waste on work that serves no purpose, few of us like doing so! The key to successful assessment is identifying areas that need and can be improved within the constraints present at NMSU.  read more »

What are Components of a Good Outcome? (Bresciani, 2001)

• Clarify what you are trying to assess
• “If you can’t define what it is you are trying to learn about your program or process or what learning and development aspect is present, then you certainly can’t measure it”
• The outcome must be measurable
• “you must be able to provide evidence that the outcome was or was not achieved”
• The intended outcome must measure something useful and meaningful.
• “’information must be connected to issues or questions that people really care about”  read more »

How Do I Write A Student Learning Outcome?

• Audience – target of the outcome
• Behavior – verb in future tense
• Condition – activity causing learning
• Degree of Achievement (optional) – criteria
________ ________ ________ ________
Condition Audience Behavior Degree
Heinich, Molenda, Russell, & Smaldino (2002)

As a result of watching ESPN, Jeff will name the teams playing in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

As a result of watching ESPN, Jeff will name six of eight teams playing in the Major League Baseball playoffs.  read more »

What is a Student Learning Outcome?

A statement of what you want students to be able to do as a result of participation in programs or activities. (Long, 2007)

“(Learning) outcomes are not knowing, thinking and understanding, but rather a demonstration of knowing, thinking or understanding.” (Learning Reconsidered 2)

• Describes learning desired within a context
• Relies on active verbs
• Emerges from our collective intentions over time
• Integrates existing professional outcomes  read more »

ASSESSMENT is a participative and iterative process that:
• Produces evidence that confirms achievement of intended learning outcomes
• Guides broader educational and institutional improvement.

“The organization’s ongoing evaluation and assessment process provide reliable evidence of institutional effectiveness that clearly informs strategies for continuous improvement.”

Five Prompt Questions
1. How are (y)our stated student learning outcomes appropriate to (y)our mission, programs, and degrees?  read more »