Assessment Resources Internal Resources LOOP Template Student Life Outcomes Assessment ☰ Menu Guiding Principles Assessment Activities Assessment Resources Assessment Processes Assessment Reports, Plans, & Results FAQ What is assessment? The term assessment includes a range of activities and processes used to help the university gather information about student experiences and their learning outcomes. Those activities may take the form of surveys, direct observations of student performance, focus groups, students’ written or spoken work, or any of a variety of other forms. But whatever shape they take, their purpose is the same – to gather information that allows us to continually improve UNI students’ learning experiences. What kinds of information does assessment provide? UNI faculty, staff, and administrators want to know what students are learning, how well they are learning it, and what kinds of experiences – both inside and outside the classroom – add to student learning. In the Division of Student Affairs, we are focused on students’ holistic learning. As such, we want to make sure students learn and thrive in the areas of health and well-being, community and cultural engagement, and life skills including teamwork, personal agency, and communication. These areas of co-curricular learning prepare students to succeed in their work, communities, and personal lives both now and in the future. Why do we need to do assessment? The purpose of assessment at the program, service, and/or activity (PSA) level is to gather evidence of student learning and institutional effectiveness, thereby providing information to staff and administrators for ongoing improvement. This is a regular, systematic process that allows staff and administrators to gain information they can use to support decisions about positive change in the co-curriculum. Assessment helps to identify successes and challenges, and to suggest possible steps to improve programs. How should we decide where to begin with assessment? Begin by identifying specific programs, services, and activities (PSAs) within your department that support division-wide learning goals. Articulate the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities that students are expected to gain through engagement in the PSAs, and design assessment methods that allow you to measure whether students are meeting your desired learning outcomes. Once you’ve completed your assessment process, determine where changes are needed to ensure that students are gaining the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities that were intended when you initially designed and implemented your PSA. Annual co-curricular assessment workshops are available to help you with this process. Contact kristin.woods@uni.edu for workshop dates/times and for individual assistance. How should we document our assessment process? Student Affairs departments submit an assessment portfolio each year, due on June 30. Required materials include the completed LOOP template, updated assessment calendar, description and purpose of your assessed program, service, or activity (PSA), assessment instruments and artifacts, and evidence of change to assessed PSAs.
