Article: Student role in assessment?

Where is the Student Voice in Assessment?
By Trent Batson
11/4/09
Campus Technology
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2009/11/04/where-is-the-student-voice-in-assessment.aspx

Many ePortfolio systems focus on institutional assessment data, putting student assessment--especially students' own reflections on their work--in second place. Batson advocates a voice for students in the assessment process.

Conference: New England Educational Assessment Network, 11/6/09

Integrating Classroom, Program and Institutional Assessment
Friday, November 6, 2009, at the College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, Massachusetts
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Linda Suskie

The Forum sessions represent an array of institutions from across New England and will focus on key issues in higher education assessment, including topics on:

--General Education and General Outcomes Assessment
--Discipline and Program-Based Assessment
--E-portfolios and other tools
--“Best Practices” in Assessment Implementation

Registration forms are attached and available on the NEEAN website: www.neean.org

Conference: 2009 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis, October 25-27, 2009

2009 Assessment Institute
October 25-27, 2009
The Westin Indianapolis
http://www.planning.iupui.edu/institute

In-depth Learning Opportunities with Scholars/Practitioners for all Faculty and Academic and Student Affairs Administrators

Pre-Institute Workshops: Extended learning opportunities with experienced practitioners

Keynote Panel and Concurrent Workshops with leaders of successful assessment initiatives including:

• Jamie P. Merisotis, Lumina Foundation for Education
• Thomas A. Angelo, La Trobe University, Australia
• Trudy W. Banta, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
• Peter T. Ewell, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS)
• George D. Kuh, Center for Postsecondary Research, Indiana University
• Jeffrey A. Seybert, Johnson County (KS) Community College

SPECIAL TRACKS
Track Plenary Sessions & Workshops Emphasizing Assessment in:

• Civic Engagement, keynote by Victor M.H. Borden, Indiana University
• ePortfolios, keynote by Helen C. Barrett, University of Oregon
• Faculty Development, keynote by Myles G. Boylan, National Science Foundation
• First-Year Experience, keynote by Jane V. Wellman, Delta Project on Postsecondary Education Costs, Productivity, and Accountability
• Student Development and Diversity, keynote by Gwendolyn Dungy, NASPA - Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education

CONTINUING OUR TRADITIONS - We will present sessions with national assessment leaders, the Best Practices Fair, and additional learning opportunities emphasizing:

• Accreditation
• All Major Fields
• Assessment Methods
• Community Colleges
• General Education

From Adobe: Using ePortfolios to Demonstrate Growth and Assess Learning

This recorded webinar from Adobe is free to view although registration is required.

Using ePortfolios to Demonstrate Growth and Assess Learning
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/event/index.cfm?loc=en_us&id=1396255&event=register_no_session

The evolving nature of work and the economy in the 21st century requires that students gain a new set of skills, including critical thinking, innovation, and creativity to be successful. Authentic and problem-based learning strategies are becoming more widely used across education, and methods for gauging progress and achievement are also evolving. ePortfolios are an important response to trends changing the nature of learning which allow learners to demonstrate learning through multiple formats including digital media. Join Alan Foley, Associate Professor, Syracuse University as he reviews the use of ePortfolios to gauge student progress, achievement, and development.

Washington Post: Alternative Testing on the Rise (6/8/09)

Alternative Testing on the Rise
Washington Post
June 8, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/07/AR2009060702227.html

Portfolios have long been used for in-depth evaluations because they can gauge more skills and higher-order thinking. Many educators say the year-long portfolios are a fairer way to measure what some students know, but pass rates for portfolio tests are relatively high, which helps educators meet academic benchmarks but raises questions about the tests' value in rating schools. Portfolios also are expensive, not to mention thousands of teacher hours spent compiling them. This article is in The Washington Post.

(From The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching)

Competencies in Medical Education - Are ePortfolios not far behind?

Competencies Over Courses in Medical Education
Inside Higher Ed
June 5, 2009
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/05/medical

The American Association of Medical Colleges, in collaboration with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, on Thursday released a report aimed at defining scientific competencies for doctors. The paper, "Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians," identifies eight competencies in the medical school curriculum and eight in pre-med programs that all students should master on their way to becoming doctors.

This clearly follows the trend we're seeing in higher education towards outcomes-based assessment. The article mentions both Alverno College (one of the earliest institutions to implement ePortfolios) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) which is already developing a learning portfolio tool for residents.