National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment

• Ontario Postsecondary System Performance
  4/23/2013
  A report released by HEQCO indicates that Ontario's postsecondary education system is efficient and accessible, but there is a lack of consensus on the definition of quality. This has prompted the need to focus on using learning outcomes as quality indicators.
• WASC 2013 Handbook of Accreditation
  4/22/2013
  WASC released a penultimate draft of their 2013 Handbook which includes a brief discussion of the DQP as a framework for institutions to convey the meaning of degrees.
• Taking on Accreditors and Faculty
  4/19/2013Ry Rivard in Inside Higher Ed writer Ry Rivard in Inside Higher Ed by Ry Rivard in Inside Higher Ed published by Ry Rivard in Inside Higher Ed
  A new Florida bill would allow any individual, organization or institution to create courses and seek accreditation status from Florida officials. This has many faculty members concerned about the transfer of instruction and curriculum evaluation to commercial organizations.
• More Than a Major
  4/18/2013

  Articles in The Chronicle and Inside Higher Ed highlight a survey conducted by AAC&U which found that employers are interested in a candidate's ability to demonstrate complex problem-solving skills and critical thinking more than the undergraduate major. 
• Teams Selected for ACRL Assessment in Action Learning Community
  4/17/2013
  The Association of College and Research Libraries has selected 75 institutional teams to participate in the Assessment in Action program. These campus teams will develop and implement a project that examines the impact of a library on student success as well as contributions to assessment activities.
• Learning to Adapt
  4/15/2013Peter Stokes in Inside Higher Ed writer Peter Stokes in Inside Higher Ed by Peter Stokes in Inside Higher Ed published by Peter Stokes in Inside Higher Ed
  Adaptive learning which uses forms of computer-aided instruction may have the potential to positively impact higher education by allowing the learner to adapt to the curriculum in more effectual ways.
• Under California Bill, Faculty-Free Colleges Would Award Exam-Based Degrees
  4/11/2013Allie Bidwell in The Chronicle of Higher Education writer Allie Bidwell in The Chronicle of Higher Education by Allie Bidwell in The Chronicle of Higher Education published by Allie Bidwell in The Chronicle of Higher Education
  The California Assembly will be considering a bill later this month that would create a new university that will allow students to obtain knowledge from any source and pay a fee to take exams for credit.
• Assessment as an Opportunity for Developing Independent Thinking Skills in Students
  4/10/2013Katherine Robertson in Faculty Focus writer Katherine Robertson in Faculty Focus by Katherine Robertson in Faculty Focus published by Katherine Robertson in Faculty Focus
  This author wonders if required assessment will stifle students' creativity and if it's possible to hand the task of formative assessment over to students in order to encourage independent thinking.
• Kansas State University is seeking an Assistant Director of Assessment
  4/9/2013

  The Office of Assessment at Kansas State University invites applications for the position of Assistant Director of Assessment. The assistant will work with the Director on projects of the Office of Assessment, all of which have an overriding goal of the improvement of student learning at Kansas State University.  For more information about the position and how to apply, please click here. 
• Seeking Rigor in Study Abroad
  4/8/2013Elizabeth Redden in Inside Higher Ed writer Elizabeth Redden in Inside Higher Ed by Elizabeth Redden in Inside Higher Ed published by Elizabeth Redden in Inside Higher Ed
  Author points to the growing criticism of study abroad programs that assess student satisfaction rather than measurable learning and growth. A six-level, developmental classification system with related outcomes is discussed.
• Rethinking the Bottom Line for Internationalization: What Are Students Learning?
  4/4/2013Madeleine F. Green in The Chronicle of Higher Education writer Madeleine F. Green in The Chronicle of Higher Education by Madeleine F. Green in The Chronicle of Higher Education published by Madeleine F. Green in The Chronicle of Higher Education
  As internationalization becomes more essential to postsecondary education, it is important to define global learning outcomes so institutions can measure and assess students in order to produce graduates that are prepared for a changing global environment.
• HEQCO | Students Involved in On Campus Activities More Likely to Improve Key Skills
  4/3/2013
  A new study published by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) examined the benefits of participating in on campus activities and that students involved scored higher in time management and problem solving skills.
• Why They Don't Apply What They Learn, Part 3
  4/2/2013James M. Lang in The Chronicle of Higher Education writer James M. Lang in The Chronicle of Higher Education by James M. Lang in The Chronicle of Higher Education published by James M. Lang in The Chronicle of Higher Education

  In Part 3 of this series, the author considers the benefits of service learning and if drawing connections between coursework and real-world context can open students' eyes to the applicability of learned skills and knowledge.
• Student Aid Awarded for Competencies
  4/1/2013

  Articles in The Chronicle and Inside Higher Ed announce the U.S. Department of Education's decision to award federal student aid based on measured competencies.  This decision signals an opening for direct assessment and could give a major boost to competency-based education.
• HEQCO | Tablet Devices a Useful Tool for Teaching Writing Skills
  3/29/2013
  According to a new study published by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), using tablet devices in the classroom allows for instant instructor feedback and student collaboration and can possibly improve student performance and participation.
• SUNY Signals Major Push Toward MOOCs and Other New Educational Models
  3/28/2013Steve Kolowich in The Chronicle of Higher Education writer Steve Kolowich in The Chronicle of Higher Education by Steve Kolowich in The Chronicle of Higher Education published by Steve Kolowich in The Chronicle of Higher Education
  The State University of New York System is moving to adopt prior-learning assessment programs along with competency-based education and MOOCs, all of which are aimed at helping students finish degrees in less time and for less money.
• Breaking the Tyranny of the Academic Calendar
  3/27/2013Jeff Selingo in The Chronicle of Higher Education writer Jeff Selingo in The Chronicle of Higher Education by Jeff Selingo in The Chronicle of Higher Education published by Jeff Selingo in The Chronicle of Higher Education
  The U.S. Department of Education's decision to award student aid based on measured competencies has the potential to reimagine the academic calendar and provide flexibility for students to improve learning and reduce costs.
• Laptop Browsing
  3/26/2013

  Articles in Inside Higher Ed and York University discuss the findings of a study that confirms students who browse the internet during class comprehend less of the material covered in a lecture and so do students sitting next to the multi-taskers. 
• NILOA to Launch Second Annual Survey of Chief Academic Officers
  3/26/2013

  In April 2013, NILOA will send a survey to all accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. to gain a current picture of outcome assessment practices nationwide. The results will update findings from NILOA's first national survey conducted in 2009.
• Remedial Reboot
  3/25/2013

  Articles in The Chronicle and Inside Higher Ed highlight the Statway program developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching which uses research to redesign a new approach to teaching developmental math.