Pedagogy and Practice
Start Planning Now to Redesign Your Fall Assessments
Whatever delivery mode your fall courses take, begin planning now to evaluate and redesign your course assessments instead of waiting until the middle of the next semester.
This may seem like a daunting task, but we have a few suggestions and resources for how you can begin. Consider starting with this assessment decision chart. By first identifying the purpose of the assessment, this chart can provide guidance as to the type of format and provides examples.
Selecting the assessment format is important, no doubt, but It is also imperative that your assessment is in alignment with your learning outcomes. If a learning outcome is to demonstrate a particular task be it in a lab or studio, what type of assessment lends itself to this demonstration? How does this change if an in-person demonstration is not possible? How else might you capture the demonstration of a task or skill? If understanding the application of a theoretical principle is the outcome, how can you assess if this understanding of theoretical application in fact has happened? Assessments are not one-size-fits-all, and some learning outcomes can be captured well in a variety of different assessment formats.
Especially in regard to traditional assessments, evaluate this relationship between learning outcomes and the selected assessment. If you’ve identified or affirmed a traditional assessment is the appropriate assessment format, next consider attending the June 22 Writing Good Questions for Assessments webinar. Writing good assessment questions can more accurately capture what students know. In this webinar, you’ll learn about principles of writing effective questions to create more reliable and valid tests.
Admittedly, all of this reviewing, revising, and developing assessments take some time, which is why it is important to begin thinking about course assessments before the courses begin. If you are in the process of adapting your course delivery format, this can be both overwhelming in the larger context of transitioning to intentional online teaching and the ideal time to reflect upon, develop, or revise your course assessments. How else might you assess student learning if the new delivery mode interferes with established formats? What are the assessments I want to utilize in this online environment?
If you are interested in guided assistance with course assessments, consider these other summer resources including the Assessment of Student Learning or Improving Online Assessment short courses. Additional resources can be found on the NED Resources pages related to assessments.
NED Event Highlight
Apply for MN REFLECT and research effective pedagogical practices
The MN REFLECT program brings together faculty from across disciplines, institutions, and experience to participate in a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) faculty learning community. Minnesota State REFLECT scholars will be supported as they develop, implement, and present research results at a conference or in a journal. Research studies should focus on pedagogical practices that enhance the teaching and student experience.
Participants will meet for a virtual one-day retreat and then monthly (Sept. – Nov. and Feb. – April) to continue progress, share ideas, collaborate, and obtain consultation and support. Minnesota State REFLECT is a credit release (.5 credit per year) 2-year commitment.
This year, MN REFLECT cohorts will be asked to reflect on their teaching, develop SoTL questions, and explore their teaching and students’ learning using a lens of equity. Additionally, applicants may apply as part of a partnership or triad to expand the impact of the work.
Learn more and find out how to apply!
Academic Technology Tips
Staying in the Loop with Listservs and Team Channels
Academic technologies are very dynamic and with hosted solutions like Zoom and Kaltura MediaSpace there are continuous improvements being made to the products to optimize performance and adapt to new needs. Zoom has released 4 new client versions and 11 new updates in May 2020 alone. Some of these changes did not impact our educational instance of Zoom but the ones that did were highlighted in the Minnesota State Zoom Newsletter shared in the system’s team sites and listservs. Joining and subscribing to listservs and team channel notifications are a couple ways to stay on top of updates happening to enterprise level academic technology.
To Subscribe to Minnesota State College and Universities Listservs
Navigate to the listserv webpage
Type in the name of the specific LISTSERV in the Search box and Click Search (Note: if you don’t know that exact name you can filter for key words in the directory)
You can find the subscribe option from the menu button drop down choices.
Click on the Menu Icon and Select Subscribe or Unsubscribe
Complete the required personal details and select the type of subscription you desire.
Click the Subscribe button
After subscribing you will get an automatic email from the MINNSTATE LISTSERV Server <LISTSERV@LISTS.MINNSTATE.EDU> and you will need to confirm your subscription request.
Participating in listserv conversations is a quick way to connect with individuals across our system.
Another way to connect is through Microsoft Teams. There are specific teams and channels for many unique areas of interest.
To Subscribe to Channel Notifications in Microsoft Teams
Click on the ellipses after the desired team site channel and select Channel notifications.
Choose your desired notification selection from the drop down and Save your changes.
Initiatives Update
Tour the different NED Access Points
Watch the video to get a tour of the Network for Educational Development Team Site, the Events Calendar, and learn about some upcoming faculty development opportunities available this summer!
Share Your Voice
Share your experiences with NED events
We are honored that so many of our colleagues have signed up to participate in one of the Summer 2020 Faculty Development Opportunities provided through the Network for Education Development. For those that participate in an event (webinar, short course, or long course), you’ll receive a short feedback survey. This is your opportunity to share your voice! We appreciate your feedback on these surveys, as it helps us know if we are providing the timely and relevant experiences for our colleagues need.
Upcoming Events
Learn more about Summer 2020 Faculty Development Opportunities:
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