assessment

The process by which evidence is gathered to measure student achievement of learning outcomes across an entire program or curriculum.

assessment measure

The use of a research method to evaluate student performance on variable.

authentic assessment

An assessment measure that is done as a normal part of another activity. Examples include class assignments, test questions, etc. See also embedded assessment.

competency

At MSUM, a competency refers to the outcome of a specific area in the general education curriculum.

course learning outcome

The goal or objective for a single course. Specifies what the student will learn in the course.

direct measure

An assessment measure that evaluates primary work done by a student.

effectiveness

The evaluation of department, office, or institutional performance.

embedded assessment

An assessment measure that is done as a normal part of another activity. Examples include class assignments, test questions, etc. See also authentic assessment.

evaluation

A judgment made about the quality of a program or student’s work. See also grading.

feedback loop

How the results of the assessment are used to improve student learning.

grading

The assignment of scores and/or letter grades as a judgment of a student’s work on a particular assignment or in a particular class.

indirect measure

An assessment measure that does not specifically address primary work by a student. May include survey of current student, alumni, or faculty.

instrument

A tool, such as a survey or rubric, used to systematically assign a value to a variable.

portfolio

A collection of student work that is evaluated at some point. Maybe evaluated initially as an embedded-type assignment or later by an evaluator using a rubric.

programmatic student learning outcome

The goal or objective for a degree program. Specifies what the student will learn as a major or minor in the department.

rubric

A clearly defined set expectations used by an evaluator to evaluate some artifact. Often used to evaluate portfolios or embedded assignments.

survey

An assessment measure which asks the respondent to record responses to a series of questions. Different from a rubric.