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Motlow State Community College
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Use of Assessment Results
Fall Semester 2014
Program Title: General Education, University Parallel Major
Course: SOCI 1010 Introduction to Sociology
Expected Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):
Students will be able to:
1.
Identify the key theoretical perspectives and explain how the insights generated by these perspectives inform sociology
2.
Identify and employ various research designs and their appropriate application to the study of social life
3.
Identify early theorists in sociology and their contributions to society
4.
Define deviance and identify theories as to why some people become deviant
5.
Describe the difference between race and ethnicity
6.
Identify and describe subculture and countercultures
7.
Define social class and explain the consequences of social class
Performance Measure(s): Pre-Test/Post-Test
Effectiveness Standard:
A pass rate of 70% or greater on the post-test will indicate achievement of the SLO. If either or both questions tied to the corresponding SLO meets or exceeds the effectiveness standard of 70%, achievement of the SLO is considered to have been accomplished.
Student Learning Outcome (SLO)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Pre-Post Test Questions
Questions 1 and 2
Questions 3 and 4
Questions 5 and 6
Questions 7 and 8
Questions 9 and 10
Questions 11 and 12
Questions 13 and 14

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Assessment Results:
In the Fall 2014 semester, SOCI 1010 Introduction to Sociology, taught by three full-time and four parttime instructors, was assessed via an online administration of the pre/post-test. The version of the pre/post-test used during the last assessment cycle in Fall 2012 had only 11 questions. In order to increase the validity and reliability of the assessment results, the Sociology faculty revised the questions so that there are now a total of 14 questions (2 per student learning outcome). A total of 321 students completed the pre-test and 292 students completed the post-test. The following overall results were reported:
Q8
Q9
Q10
Q11
Q12
Q13
Q14
Question
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Pre-
Test
#
Correct
235
161
160
221
142
114
142
186
229
262
150
208
235
161
Use of Assessment Results:
Pre-
Test
%
Correct
73%
50%
50%
69%
44%
36%
44%
58%
71%
82%
47%
65%
73%
50%
Post-
Test
#
Correct
212
195
197
234
171
89
192
224
247
250
208
225
221
184
Post-
Test
%
Correct
73%
67%
67%
80%
59%
30%
66%
77%
85%
86%
71%
77%
76%
63%
%
Difference
-1%
17%
18%
11%
14%
-5%
22%
19%
13%
4%
25%
12%
2%
13%
Student participation for the assessments was very strong across all sections of SOCI 1010. Six of the seven SLO’s met the effectiveness standard of 70%. Student Learning Outcome #3, “Identify early theorists in sociology and their contributions to society”, was not achieved. All Sociology instructors were puzzled as to why this SLO was not achieved, explaining that the theorists are covered in-depth on multiple occasions throughout the semester. Rewording questions 5 & 6 on the pre/post-test was discussed and will be implemented on the next assessment cycle.
The major recommendation from the last assessment of SOCI 1010 in the Fall 2012 semester was to revisit the articulation of the SLO’s and to switch to an embedded assessment format. Since these recommendations were made, the Sociology faculty and Department Chair has developed new program goals, objectives, and student learning outcomes. We also are using a standard syllabus template in order to make sure all full and part-time faculty are focusing instruction on the same student learning

Page 3 of 3 outcomes. The Sociology faculty will develop a new question set that matches the new program goals, objectives, and SLO’s for the next assessment cycle. We decided to go against using embedded assessment because there is too much chance for human error when calculating response percentages to generate results. We expect the redesign of goals, outcomes, and SLO’s to increase student knowledge and improve critical thinking.