Date: June 26, 2015
Name of Person Reporting: Mari Rettke
Name of Department and/or Discipline : Computer Science & Information Technology
1.
a. List the courses/certificates/programs your discipline/department assessed in
Spring 2015semester.
Based on the three year assessment cycle, no assessments were due in the Spring
2015. All active courses were assessed in Fall 2014.
However, CSIT did assess:

CSIT 401 – Introduction to Computers (3 sections)

CSIT 407 – Programming Logic ( 1 section)

CSIT 453 – A+ Certification preparation (1 section)
Some changes had been made in the presentation of material in the presentation of the material in these courses and CSIT wants to monitor the effectiveness of the changes over a period of several semesters.
If these changes result in increased student learning and/or effective student participation in the classes, then CSIT will submit these courses, with the changes included, to the curriculum committee.
b. For each one, indicate whether the benchmark (standard for student success)
was reached.
The benchmark of 70% was met or exceeded in all assessments.
2.
Summarize the major assessment results for courses/programs in your area.
All assessments met or exceeded the 70% benchmark.
3.
Summarize what changes have been made or are planned to be made as a result of
the assessments.
A 5 to 10 page business systems analysis is required in the CSIT 401 – Introduction to
Computers – classes. CSIT found that the students had some difficulty in completing this assignment. The primary reason was a lack of experience in the understanding of best business practices.
As a result of the previous assessments, CSIT adopted the strategies of:

Introducing the project during the first weeks of the class


Modifying the lectures throughout the semester to include a discussion of how the course material related to the systems analysis project.

Using classroom discussion time to encourage students to formulate questions regarding the assignment.

Spending more time explaining the rubric to ensure that the students are clear about the grading expectations.
The changes in the CSIT 407 – Programming Logic section included:

Developing additional in-class assignments on each module taught

Using collaborative groups to discuss the problems and arrive at possible solutions

Having the students select a representative from the groups to do oral presentations on the problem solutions
The change in the CSIT 453 – A+ Certification Preparation class included:

Greater reliance on the on-line course materials and preparation material

Using a portion of the lab time to monitor the students’ progress and identify problems in understanding the material.
4.
Follow up on previous assessments:
(1) If an SLO was assessed previously, compare the results with the earlier
assessments:
(a) Have the recommended changes been implemented?
The changes have been implemented, but no decision has been made as to whether the changes should become permanent in the courses.
(b) Has the follow-up textbox been filled in on the SLO online system?
CSIT completed the textboxes to reflect the implementation of the changes.
(2) How have the findings led to improved student learning?
The students have expressed satisfaction with the changes but CSIT does not yet have any definitive data to indicate that any improvement in student learning as a direct result of the changes. CSIT has found that the changes lead to the students becoming more fully involved in the learning process
5.
Have the results of your assessments been shared and discussed among the members of your program? (Provide dates and any minutes of meetings as
evidence.)
There are only two faculty members in the CSIT discipline. They meet the fourth
Thursday of every month to address course content and pedagogy.

6.
Have the results of your assessments been shared and discussed with members of
your advisory committee (if vocational program)?
Results of the assessments will be shared with the next advisory meeting during the
2015-2016 school year. During the 2014-2015 advisory meeting, the workforce needs and course requirements were discussed.
7.
What resource requests are planned as a result of the assessments?
CSIT requested an evening lab assistant and tutors.
8.
Have the assessment results been posted on the online system?
All assessment results have been posted on the online system.