May 20-27, 2003
Twenty-six students met in Taylor 106 on the BYU-Idaho campus to begin a class through the University of Idaho:  ADED 501, Evaluation and Assessment of Student Learning.  The four hours passed relatively quickly as we enjoyed brief introductions, a reading of the syllabus, and some discussion about assessment.  Individually each student did what students do—ask questions:  Is there an easy way through this class?  What can I do to make these assignments work for me?  Do I care about assessment?  How much work do I want to put in?  What is the reading for next week and how can I get it done the most efficacious way?

We showed up the next week and a somewhat lively discussion on assessment broke out.  Obviously, some of the students had read the material well, a majority of the students had browsed the reading, and a few students had read quite little.  The discussion, under the influence of several students, went many directions, but with so many students, the main points kept shifting with little depth on each topic occurring.

Dr. Karen Wilson-Scott, our professor, kept offering the opportunity to change the syllabus.  Several minor ideas kept a discussion going about the assignments and about rubrics; then Brian Maughan stepped the conversation up by suggesting more radical changes—even the deletion of an entire assignment.  Then Kendall Grant suggested that they get rid of the whole syllabus, “and take assessment for a real ride” by applying it to a high school math class.  Dr. Scott moved the class to a vote, but got interrupted.  Obviously, the majority of the class did not want to “take a ride.”  Kendall now proposed that the class split between those who wanted a more learner-centered environment and those who wanted a more teacher-centered environment.  Nine chose to “take assessment for a ride”:  Terri Brandvold, Linda Crumley, Kendall Grant, Jeff Hamblin, Bryan Maughan, Barbara Petty, Roger Smith, Greg Wightman, and Jim Winn   This is our history and our product.  The final project has turned us into an assessment consultation team for Larry Saunders and his College Algebra class at Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Click here for class notes!

Consultation Package

for Larry Saunders
 

Reflection Papers:
Terri Brandvold
Linda Crumley
Kendall Grant
 Jeff Hamblin
 Bryan Maughan
 Barbara Petty
Roger Smith
Greg Wightman
Jim Winn
 

Some of the credit for our success as a class goes to our textbook.  Huba and Freed's Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses has moved us to stimulating conversations as we strive to develop rich questions which move us toward stronger use of assessment.