Physics
2009-11 Assessment Plan
Outcome 1
Measurable
Criteria
Measurement
Tool
Time Frame
Students in physics classes will demonstrate
computational skills.
Computational skills will be evaluated
each quarter of 2009-2010 in both
algebra and calculus based physics
classes in order to establish a base line.
College Wide
Computational Rubric.
Computational skills
will be base-lined during
the 2009-2010 year for
both the algebra-based
and the calculus-based
physics sequence by
analyzing questions
from the finals using the
computation rubric.
Strategies will be identified and implemented to
improve computational skills.
After implementation of skill enhancing
exercises during the 2010-2011 year,
computational skills will again be
evaluated to test for improvement in
computational skills.
Each quarter in all
physics classes, several
of the questions on the
final will be analyzed
using at least two of the
three outcomes of the
computation rubric.
Data from 2009-2010
will be used to establish
a baseline and to
provide a guide for what
type of exercise might
be implemented in
2010-2011.
Data from 2010-2011
will determine if the
exercises created a
measurable increase in
computational skills.
Natural and Applied Sciences Division
The 2009-2010 analysis
will then be used to
identify specific
exercises (in class, home
work , take-home
quizzes, or in-lab
activities) that will be
implemented into the
curriculum of both
physics sequences
during 2010-2011.
The finals during 20102011 will then be
evaluated to see if this
exercises increased
computational skill
using again the
computation rubric.
Physics
2009-11 Assessment Plan
Outcome 2
Measurable
Criteria
Measurement
Tool
Time Frame
Students in physics classes will continue to
demonstrate critical thinking skills that improve over
the course of the three quarter physics sequences (both
algebra-based and calculus-based).
The measure of critical thinking
skills with the addition of the
critical thinking exercises
implemented in 2008-2009 will be
done again in 2009-2010 to verify
the increase in critical thinking
skills that was measured during the
2008-2009 year.
The college wide critical
thinking rubric,
outcomes A, B, and E
will be used exactly as
in 2008-2009. These
will be used to evaluate
questions on the finals
of each of the three
quarters of each physics
sequence.
2009-2010 will be a
second year of
measuring whether the
implemented critical
thinking exercises do
improve student critical
thinking skills over the
three quarter physics
sequences.
Either an expanded set of critical thinking exercises or
an additional different approach to improving critical
thinking will be implemented in 2010-1011.
In 2010-2011, either
additional critical
thinking exercises will
be identified and
implemented, or some
additional approach to
helping improve critical
thinking skills will be
implemented.
In 2010-2011, finals will
again be analyzed to
determine effects of
either an expanded or
different approach.
Natural and Applied Sciences Division