Study Abroad
Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
Introduction
Cycle of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment:
Analyze and
use results to
understand
and improve
student
learning.
Apply measures
to assess student
learning
outcomes
Develop/revise goals
for student learning.
Develop/ revise
outcome measures
appropriate to goals.
Offer students
opportunities to
achieve goals.
Conceptual Framework for Student Learning Assessment
Mission
Catholic and National Research University
University Goals
Administrative Groups:
Academic Leadership Group
Provost
Planning, Institutional Research,
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment
University Assessment
Council
Sub-Committees on:
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Special Topics
School/department Committees on
Student Learning Assessment
Campus Life
Program Directors
Develop Goals/Measures
Analyze and
use results
Faculty
Assess Student Learning
Offer opportunities to
learn
Examples of defined learning outcomes
Disciplinary Knowledge:
•Placement of a discipline in an international context
•Synthesize academic/disciplinary concepts with real world phenomena
•Gain an international perspective of a career/discipline
•Study disciplinary content not available at the main university campus
Language Acquisition:
•Immersion/mastery
•Introduction/competence
Intercultural Competence:
•Explore the nature of culture, in general
•Gain specific knowledge of host culture
•Become conscious of one’s own cultural perspective
•Engage diverse expressions of culture
•Adapt effectively in cross cultural settings
Social/Emotional Growth:
•Build independence
•Gain self-confidence
•Develop self-awareness
•Develop empathy
•Increase tolerance for social ambiguity
Examples drawn from University Leadership Council brief on:
Defining and Assessing the Student Learning Outcomes
of the Study Abroad Experience
Examples of Study Abroad Student Learning Outcomes Assessments
Quantitative: National Studies/Instruments:
•Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory (BEVI)
•Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)
•Global Perspective Inventory (GPI)
•Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (SCAS)
Quantitative: University Defined Instrument:
•Goals Survey: Pre-departure and post-experience surveys designed to assess student goal setting and achievement.
•University course evaluations
•Services Survey: Pre-departure and post-experience surveys designed to measure:
•
The quality of study abroad services provided by the university
•
The quality of study abroad services provided by university partners/provides and affiliated programs
Qualitative Assessment:
•Portfolios
•Focus groups
Examples drawn from University Leadership Council brief on:
Defining and Assessing the Student Learning Outcomes
of the Study Abroad Experience
Suggested List of Peers
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Regional Comparison Group (17 institutions):
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starting sample: 7,052 institutions
limit by sector of institution = ‘Private, not-for-profit, 4-year or above’: 1,648 institutions
further limit by Carnegie 2000 classification = ‘Doctoral/Research Universities –Extensive’ or ‘Doctoral/Research Universities –
Intensive’: 91 institutions
further limit to universities that enroll undergraduates: 86 institutions
further limit to institutions with a total enrollment of graduate and first-professional students >= 25%: 78 institutions
further limit to institutions whose percent of total revenue from tuition and fees >=35%: 42 institutions
further limit by institutions originating in the Mid-East geographic region (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA): 18 institutions
exclude Catholic University: 17 institutions
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This set of criteria creates the following list of institutions:
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Adelphi University
Duquesne University
Georgetown University
Polytechnic University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Widener University-Main Campus
American University
Fordham University
Hofstra University
Seton Hall University
Syracuse University
Wilmington College
Drexel University
George Washington University
Pace University –New York
St. John’s University –New York
The New School