Education Scholar: Module 5 - Assessment of Instructional Effectiveness
Module Overview
Introduction
This module will introduce you to outcomes assessment strategies and the use of such strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of lessons, courses, or entire educational programs. To help you with the practical application of such strategies, you'll be asked to apply what you learn in this module toward the development and implementation of an outcomes assessment plan for your own course or program. You can learn more about this module by scrolling down the page or selecting one of the options listed on your screen.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the purpose and scope of outcomes assessment and its use in continuously improving individual courses or entire programs. By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- Prepare and implement an outcomes assessment plan for an individual course or program that is focused and efficient, yet comprehensive.
- Collect and analyze the results of such an outcomes assessment.
- Develop and implement an action plan for revising the course or
program based on outcomes data.
- Incorporate in the action plan revised instructional strategies that enhance student learning, yet are practical within the context of 1) the learners' abilities, 2) the mission and goals of the institution or program, and 3) the learning environment.
- Reflect on the impact of conducting outcomes assessment on yourself, as an instructor, and on the students you are teaching.
Module Map
To view the sequence of concepts and learning activities that will enable you to achieve these objectives, select Map for Module 5.
Module Materials
Readings from the following publications are assigned in Module 5.
Palomba CA, Banta TW. Assessment essentials: Planning, implementing, and improving assessment in higher education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1999.
Gronlund NE. Assessment of student achievement, 6th edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon; 1998.
Case SM, Swanson DB. Constructing written test questions for the basic and clinical sciences. 3rd edition. Philadelphia: National Board of Medical Examiners; 1998. (May be downloaded at no charge from www.nbme.org/about/itemwriting.asp)
These publications are highly recommended for health professions faculty. Select Basic Faculty Development Library for more information. The Palomba & Banta and Gronlund texts may be ordered through www.amazon.com.
Recommendations for additional publications relevant to Module 5 may be found in each topic and in the Resource Center.
