Assessment Report
July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012
PROGRAM (S) ASSESSED Geography
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR Jerri Killian
YEAR 3 of a 5 YEAR CYCLE
1.
ASSESSMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED
Briefly describe the assessment measures employed during the year.
a. What was done?
Program objectives were to be assessed through Exit Interviews and Internship
Evaluations. The learning outcome Geographical Analysis was assessed through
exit surveys and archival records.
b. Who participated in the process?
Students enrolled in selected GEO courses, faculty (including adjuncts), and UAG
administrative staff.
c. What challenges (if any) were encountered?
Constrained resources limited our ability to perform Exit Interviews as planned.
2.
ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List the objectives and outcomes assessed during the year, and briefly describe
the findings for each.
Objectives assessed:
1. Students will be employed in positions either teaching or utilizing geographic
information to understand and to assist in solving societal problems.
2. Students will be prepared for advanced studies in geography or related disciplines.
3. Students will contribute to the professionalism of geographical science.
4. Students will contribute to their communities using their geographical skills.
Objectives Measures and Findings:
Internship Experience: Average evaluation of student performance from internship
supervisor shall reflect at least 75% of the highest possible evaluation score.
Findings: No GEO internships were requested or required this year.
Exit Interviews: Undergraduate students will be interviewed by a staff member at the
time of degree check to assess all aspects of the student’s experience in the Geography
program.
Findings: Exit Interviews were not performed with graduating GEO students
due to constrained resources.
Of Note: Although not in this year’s assessment plan, it is worth noting that Tony Alexander
was recognized as the Outstanding Geography Alumni and Timothy Staton was recognized as
the Outstanding Geography Student for 2012.
Learning Outcomes Assessed:
Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze geographically.
Learning Outcomes Measures and Findings:
Exit Surveys: A quantitative survey shall be administered to students enrolled in GEO
365, 370, 385, 455, and 486 at the end of each quarter to assess perceptions of the extent
to which each of these courses and the GEO program to date, respectively, facilitate
achievement of stated learning outcomes; a mean score of at least 2.0 (1 is best) on a 4point scale shall be realized for each course.
Findings: An overall mean score of 1.73 was realized on GEO Exit Surveys,
with a mean score of 1.76 for assessed GEO courses and 1.69 for the program as a
whole. These findings exceed the benchmark set for this measure by 14%.
Archival records: 75% of Geography majors will earn a “B” or better in 365, 370, 385,
455, and 486 as a reflection of demonstrated student performance, comprehension,
retention, and application of key course and program content.
Findings: 81.1% of students enrolled in the assessed GEO courses received a
letter grade of A or B. This finding exceeds the standard set forth for this measure
by 6.1%.
3.
RESPONSE TO ASSESSMENT FINDINGS
List planned or actual changes (if any) to curriculum, teaching methods, facilities,
or services that are in response to the assessment findings.
Findings:
- A strategy for implementing an Exit Interview process or revising the
assessment plan for the GEO undergraduate program will be developed in the
near future.
2
- A tenured GEO professor and a non-tenure track GEO instructor retired from
WSU in 2009-10. Two non-tenure track instructors joined WSU and the GEO
program in Fall 2010. The GEO program currently remains the primary
responsibility of two non-tenure track instructors supported by adjunct faculty.
We hope to be able to hire at least one tenure-track GEO faculty member next
year to promote program stability.
4.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES FOR COMING YEAR
Briefly describe the learning outcomes to be assessed during the upcoming year
and the measures that will be used to assess them.
Findings:
Learning Outcome to be Assessed in 2012-13:
Written Communication
Planned Assessment Measures:
Exit Survey: a quantitative survey shall be administered to students
enrolled in GEO 365, 370, 385, 455, and 486 (or their semester
equivalents) at the end of each term to assess perceptions of the extent to
which each of these courses and the GEO program to date, respectively,
facilitates achievement of the stated learning outcome; a mean score of at
least 2.0 (1 is best) on a 5-point scale shall be realized for each course.
Archival Records: 75% of Geography majors will earn a “B” or better in
365, 370, 385, 455, and 486 (or their semester equivalents) as a reflection
of demonstrated student performance, comprehension, retention, and
application of key course and program content.
5.
UNIVERSITY LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
As part of the HLC Academy project, each program of study will eventually
assess two University Learning Outcomes in required courses in the major. One
outcome will be assessed in 2014-15, and the second will be added in 2015-16.
Identify the two ULOs that will be assessed and, if possible, the likely course(s)
to be used.
University Learning Outcomes: Wright State graduates will be able to:
1. communicate effectively
2. demonstrate mathematical literacy
3. evaluate arguments and evidence critically
4. apply the methods of inquiry of the natural sciences, social sciences,
and the arts and humanities
5. demonstrate global and multicultural competence
6. demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues
7. participate in democratic society as informed and civically engaged
citizens
3
Findings: Data will be mined from required GEO core courses to
assess the following two ULOs:
1. communicate effectively (2014-15)
2. demonstrate understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues
(2015-16)
4