Student Learning Assessment at Purdue University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Purdue University has a learning outcomes assessment process in place that focuses faculty on key elements and principles of effective learning outcomes assessment. The Process involves 1) defining learning outcomes, 2) identifying learning activities aimed at helping students achieve the learning outcome, 3) collecting evidence related to students’ achievement of the learning outcome, 4) determining the extent to which students are achieving the learning outcome, 5) reviewing the assessment evidence to improve student learning, 6) identifying specific changes to help students achieve an acceptable or higher level of the learning outcome, and 7) monitoring the impact of changes on students’ achievement of the learning outcome.
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.
