Keys to Improving Academic Assessment (original) (raw)

This paper presents ten critical ideas about assessment that, when placed into practice, can signifi cantly advance and add value to every academic professional's work. Together, these ideas form a set of principles and practices whose impact can be measured to provide a comprehensive picture of the assessment culture in an organization. Each idea presented here is supported by the literature and informed by the use of the idea in practice. Key terms and schema relating to assessment are defi ned, related resources are noted, and ways in which assessment can enhance student learning and growth, enhance faculty performance, and improve institutional effectiveness and quality in its collective learning environment are shown. The ideas presented here fall within three categories. The fi rst category addresses vital issues in the relationship between assessment and evaluation. Specifi c topics addressed in this category are the role of measurement in assessment, common misconceptions about assessment, using assessment to enhance performance on an evaluation, and turning evaluation into assessment. The second category deals with assessment values, practice, and mindset. Specifi c topics addressed in this category are key steps in the assessment process, writing clear performance criteria, assessing assessments, and self-assessment for growth. The third category deals with conditioning and historical cultural norms in higher education that prevent change toward an assessment culture. Specifi c topics addressed in this category are the role of assessment in the mentoring process and the assessment mindset. The paper closes with a brief description of issues regarding cultural change that must be confronted when an organization in higher education begins to embrace and implement these ideas.

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact