Program: Writing Center
Date: Wed Oct 05, 2011 - 10:18:04 am
1) List your program's student outcomes.
- Students will become more confident writers.
- Students willl learn techniques and methods to become better writers.
- Students will learn how to utilize resources, when appropriate.
- Students will feel more comfortable with their writing process.
- Students will think more critically about their writing.
- Students will learn how to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
2) Where are your program's student outcomes published? Mark all that apply and include URLs when appropriate.
Program's Website. URL: http://www.english.hawaii.edu/writingcenter/
Student Handbook. URL, if available online: Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure. URL, if available online: UHM Catalog. Page Number: Other: Other: 3) Provide the program's activity map or other graphic that illustrates how program activities/services align with program student outcomes. Please upload it as a PDF.
- File (07/02/2012)
4) For the period June 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011: State the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goals. Include the student outcomes that were targeted, if applicable.
How and to what degree is the Writing Center meeting all six of its SLOs?
- Students will become more confident writers.
- Students willl learn techniques and methods to become better writers.
- Students will learn how to utilize resources, when appropriate.
- Students will feel more comfortable with their writing process.
- Students will think more critically about their writing.
- Students will learn how to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
5) State the type(s) of evidence gathered to answer the assessment question and/or meet the assessment goals that were given in Question 4.
Exit surveys were filled out by WC clients after tutoring sessions. The exit survey has six statements, which are aligned with WC's six SLOs, to which respondents identify their level of agreement from strongly disagree to strongly agree for each statement.
6) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
Overall, the WC saw 250 individuals, who made up 845 appointments. The exit surveys had a return rate of 73%. That means of the 845 appointments, 617 surveys were filled out. Clearly, many individuals filled out the survey more than once. Data was not collected on the number of individuals who responded to the survey.
7) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected. Check all that apply.
Program faculty/staff Faculty/staff committee Ad hoc faculty/staff group Director or department chairperson Persons or organization outside the university Students (graduate or undergraduate) Dean Other It was just me.8) How did he/she/they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence? Check all that apply.
Compiled survey results Used qualitative methods on interview, focus group, open-ended response data Scored exams/tests/quizzes Used a rubric or scoring guide Used professional judgment (no rubric or scoring guide used) External organization/person analyzed data (e.g., Social Science Research Institute) Other: 9) For the assessment questions/goals stated in Question 4, summarize the actual results.
At least 90% of clients either agreed or strongly agreed with each of the six statements on the exit survey.
Statement #1(aligned with SLO #2): 97% agree + strongly agree
Statement #2 (aligned with SLO #3): 92% agree + strongly agree
Statement #3 (aligned with SLO #6): 95% agree + strongly agree
Statement #4 (aligned with SLO #5): 96% agree + strongly agree
Statement #5 (aligned with SLO #4): 93% agree + strongly agree
Statement #6 (aligned with SLO #1): 91% agree + strongly agree
10) What was learned from the results?
We're doing a pretty good job, but I'm cautiously optimistic since these data are only for one semester. More importantly, tutor training can target areas that received lower agreement percentages.
11) State how the program used the results or plans to use the results. Please be specific.
Areas that received lower agreement percentages became targets for training in the following semester. Additionally, SLO data along with demographic data on the clientele were used to indicate the effectiveness of WC tutoring to departments across campus as well as to recruit/inform prospective volunteer tutors.
Data collection was adjusted to be more systematic.
12) Reflect on the assessment process. Is there anything related to assessment procedures your program would do differently next time? What went well?
As long as all WC tutors are informed of the program's mission and effectiveness, buy-in to the fairly rigorous tutor training regimen can be high. With training in place, tutors will continue to be effective, which means clients/students are developing and growing as writers.
13) Other important information
The process is very informative, but I need staff to help me! I'm alone in this process!