A few weeks ago, there was a thread on a couple of listservs about the use of the word “assessment,” which for some people has a negative connotation. Obviously, I like the word assessment, but I understand how some people may be scared or turned off by it. Listserv members offered up a variety of [...]
Over a decade ago, Elizabeth Whitt wrote an article for About Campus (January-February, 2006), asking “Are ALL of Your Educators Educating?” I still think about that article today (hence, writing a blog about it in 2018). I agree with the opening statement: “Institutions that excel are filled with educators in the curriculum and the cocurriculum [...]
I’m fairly sure that we can agree that students (and staff) are over surveyed, particularly using electronic surveys. I think we can also agree that taking really long surveys is annoying, especially if the questions are not that interesting. On the other hand, part of building a culture of assessment involves collecting information from important [...]
In June, most of the Student Life Studies staff attended the NASPA Assessment and Persistence Conference where student affairs assessment professionals, institutional researchers, faculty, and administrators came together to talk about the pressing student success issues and what we know from assessment to address some of those issues. As I was reflecting back on what [...]
Summer is supposed to be slow, right? The more people I talk to, the more people say that summer seems to be almost as busy as the regular school year. That makes it even more important to plan and prepare for assessment when you have the opportunity before getting back into the busy-ness of the [...]
It’s May. Time to reflect back on a (hopefully) successful academic year. When things start to quiet down, it’s a great time to reflect on your assessment before getting wrapped up in the planning for the next year. We have to set aside time for it, or else we get sucked into putting out the [...]
It’s April 1st. I admit, I’m not much for April Fool’s jokes, but that got me thinking about assessment failures (and potentially looking like an assessment fool). I thought it might put people at ease to hear about some of the mistakes I/we have made over the years. Fortunately, we are quick learners and only [...]
We've been talking a lot lately in the Division of Student Affairs about "Telling Our Story." That's a good thing, because some people have said it's the best kept secret on campus. Assessment can really help you tell your story. Obviously, you should be doing assessment so you know how well you do and how [...]
February is known for Valentine’s Day and celebrating relationships. I hope that you will celebrate your relationship with assessment. Some of you are thinking, “I certainly don’t have a loving relationship with assessment. I’m not sending chocolate or even a greeting card.” Thinking beyond the nuts and bolts of assessment toward the end result of [...]
It’s that time, when people create resolutions to improve something in the new year. You might find it easy to set resolutions about eating right, exercising, stopping bad habits…but be lost about what you want to accomplish with your assessment. Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one, and there are a lot of staff who [...]