Office of Academic Assessment

We have had a busy Spring 2021 semester engaging in strategic planning, updating our committee charge, and continuing faculty work on department assessment projects. This Fall, we are relaunching the Office of Academic Assessment's efforts, beginning with our session on Equity-Minded Assessment of Student Learning during the Virtual Course Spa.

What's new:

• Most of our site! We are revising our office's website with new resources, a glossary of assessment terms (coming soon), and the ability to easily book consultations. If you have trouble locating a document previously accessed on this site, please contact us!
• Read about our Values, Mission, and Vision for the Office of Academic Assessment under "About Us."
• Learning, Equity and Assessment Program (LEAP): Formerly the Student Learning Committee (SLC), LEAP and our LEAP faculty fellows have a new charge and strategic focus for the coming academic year. You can read more about our Spring 2021 work and upcoming academic year plans on the LEAP section of our site.

What's coming:

• This is Version 1.0 of the Office's new website; over the course of the fall, we will continue to update it with resources, links to previous presentation materials, and upcoming events. 
• Accessible Assessment: as part of our continued efforts to ensure that all materials are fully accessible, we will be updating old versions of handouts and adding additional resources that address assessment from a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) perspective.

Individual Consultations (Ongoing)

The Office of Academic Assessment offers consultations, both virtually and in-person, for faculty interested in discussing assessment of student learning. We are available to discuss learning outcomes, rubrics, assignments, analysis of findings, equity-minded assessment, and additional topics. Click on the link below under "Book a Consult" to schedule a session with Liz or Daniela.

Workshops (Upcoming)

The Office of Academic Assessment is currently designing a number of workshops for faculty interested in topics such as equity-based assessment, evaluating class participation, and authentic assessment. Dates and signup information for workshops will be available here once announced.

Use the link below to access our consultations calendar. Standard consults are 45 minutes and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. If you would like to schedule a longer session, or are interested in scheduling a workshop for members of your department, please email Liz Chase, liz_chase@emerson.edu.

Below you will find a list of past events; if you would like to know more about these events, please get in touch with us.

Virtual Course Spa (August 16-19, 2021)
August 16, 2021: Equity Minded Assessment of Student Learning

• This session explores the growing practice of Equity-Minded Assessment in higher education: What is it? Why is it valuable for us and for our students? How can we begin or further our practice of equity-minded assessment in our classrooms? The session will include an overview of what makes an assessment “equity-minded,” and participants will have an opportunity to design or revise a student assignment with these principles in mind. Participants are encouraged to have an assignment or assignment idea handy!

August 17, 2021: Rubric Design

• So you want to talk about rubrics? Perhaps you are new to writing them or maybe you need a refresher? Join Daniela Puorto as she works through the basics of creating a rubric to maximize your assessment and streamline your grading.

August 16-19, 2021: "Assessment Sauna"

• Assessment can make you sweat! Relax and discuss methods of evaluating student learning with Liz Chase and Daniela Puorto. Popular treatments include: Design student learning outcomes; Develop research-focused learning outcomes