Student Learning at the Senior-level: Spring 2016 [CAPS] Course Assessment Results

As reported in the Spring 2016 [CAPS] Course Assessment Reporting Summary of Key Evidence for UCORE (PDF), assessment results indicated that, in courses with primarily seniors, 83% of students met or exceeded expectations at the graduating undergraduate level for Critical & Creative Thinking, 88% for Information Literacy, 82% for Communication, and 83% for Depth, Breadth […]

Using Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) Results to Improve UCORE Courses

Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) results provide faculty with information about students’ grasp of science literacy. Wrong answers on the SLCI reveal students’ common misconceptions about science, information which can be used to direct and improve teaching related to science literacy. For example, responses to SLCI of students in a particular course may reveal that […]

Science Literacy at WSU: 2016 Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) Results

As reported in the 2016 Science Literacy Concept Inventory Summary of Key Evidence for UCORE (PDF), assessment results indicated that, overall, WSU seniors scored higher than first year students on all twelve science literacy concepts (average +12%) related to citizen level understanding. Composite results from 2013-2016 also indicated that overall SLCI scores at WSU were similar to […]

Faculty Work to Enhance Learning in Capstone Courses: Hutchings Workshop

WSU faculty had a unique opportunity over the summer to enhance high-impact culminating senior experiences for students. On May 25-26, WSU hosted a two-day workshop with Dr. Patricia Hutchings, senior scholar with the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA), and previously senior scholar and vice president at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of […]

Using Assessment to Inform Decision-making in [CAPS] Courses: 2015 [CAPS] Course Assessment Pilot

As part of the 2015 UCORE Capstone [CAPS] Course Assessment Report pilot, [CAPS] instructors were asked to describe if they planned to make any changes to their course, assignments, or assessment. Overall, 54% of instructors indicated that they planned to make changes to improve the [CAPS] course. 

Assignment Design Workshop: Registration Deadline April 25

WSU faculty teaching senior culminating academic experiences (often called capstones) for an undergraduate degree or UCORE are invited to a unique summer opportunity to explore integrative learning and assignment design. WSU is proud to host a two-day workshop with Dr. Patricia Hutchings, senior scholar with the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA) and previously […]

Using Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) Results to Inform Decision-making at Multiple-levels

Faculty have used results from the Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) in a variety of ways to inform and improve their science literacy instruction including adapting assignments and more explicitly addressing science literacy concepts in instruction. Academic degree programs have used the data to compare students at different academic levels. At the institutional level, SLCI […]

Science Literacy at WSU: 2014 Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) Pilot Results

As reported in the 2014 Science Literacy Concept Inventory Summary of Key Evidence for UCORE (PDF), pilot assessment results indicated that seniors scored higher than freshmen on all twelve science literacy concepts. This difference was true of both science majors and non-majors. 

Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) Pilot at WSU

This Fall, four WSU UCORE science courses are piloting the Science Literacy Concept Inventory (SLCI) to gauge students’ grasp of science literacy. Science literacy, one of WSU’s Seven Learning Goals of the Baccalaureate, refers to an individual’s understanding of scientific concepts as a tool to guide decision-making, participation in civic affairs, economic productivity and global […]