Assessment Tools

As part of its internal program to measure learning, University Studies uses a variety of assessment tools, including review of student work and anonymous surveys. Each level of the program is assessed slightly differently:

• Freshman Inquiry is assessed through a prior-learning survey, early-term assessment, end-of-term evaluations, and year-long student electronic portfolios.
• Sophomore Inquiry uses early-term assessments, end-of-course evaluations, and key assignments.
• Upper Division Clusters were assessed for student experience for the first time in 2004. In AY 04-05, an online course survey helped gather more comprehensive data.
• Senior Capstones use early-term assessments in 20 percent of classes and an end-of-term course evaluation. Student learning is assessed through work samples of reflective assignments and final products.

The following surveys are used in these assessments:

Freshman and Sophomore Inquiry

• Early-Term Feedback: Given at midterm in Freshman and Sophomore Inquiry courses as an informal measure of classroom learning and the environment.
• Early Term Survey (FRINQ and SINQ)
  

Freshman Inquiry

• Prior-Learning Survey: Given to entering students at the beginning of the year-long Freshman Inquiry sequence. Data collected from these surveys helps faculty understand students' background and base of knowledge. 
• Prior-learning questionnarie (PDF)

• Early-, Mid-, and End-of-Year Surveys: Given to students in Freshman Inquiry at the end of each of their three terms. The information gathered from these surveys helps faculty understand their students' experience and is used by the program as one way of evaluating student learning related to University Studies goals .
• Early-Year Survey (End of first FRINQ term)
• Mid-Year Survey (End of second FRINQ term)
• End-of-Year Survey (End of third FRINQ term)
  

Sophomore Inquiry

• End-of-Term Survey: Given to students in Sophomore Inquiry at the end of each of their three terms. The information gathered from these surveys helps faculty to understand their students' experienceand is used by the program as one way of evaluating student learning related to University Studies goals.
• End-of-Term Survey (SINQ)

Capstone

• Student Experience Questionnaire: Given to students in Capstones at the end of their course. These surveys provide information to faculty and the program about students' experiences in their capstone course.
• Capstone Student Experience Questionnaire