Core Learning Outcome Assessment
I. NYIT's Core Curriculum and Core Learning Outcomes
Beginning with the class entering in the fall of 2010, NYIT undergraduate students are now required to complete a new 38-credit core curriculum designed to build seven competencies:
- Communication
- Literacy
- Critical/Analytical thinking
- Interdisciplinary Mindset and Skills
- Ethical/Moral and Civic Engagement
- Global Perspective/World View
- Process and Nature of Sciences and Arts
This new curriculum was created in response to NYIT's institutional goal to become "a model 21st-century university" by 2030. Derived from research findings about the skills needed in a 21st-century workforce, the curriculum is outcome-based. Students' mastery of the seven competencies is measured both during core courses and in their major at the time of graduation.
The foundation for developing and assessing core competences was laid in 2009–2010, when faculty from all degree programs were asked to incorporate instruction on, and assessment of, all seven core learning outcomes into the courses in their majors.
Assessment activities related to this new core curriculum are designed to provide information that: (1) will allow faculty to improve the newly introduced courses; and (2) will demonstrate the degree to which students have attained mastery of the competencies.
II. NYIT Core Learning Outcomes
III. Procedure of Core Learning Outcome Assessment
In addition to program-specific outcomes, assessment plans for undergraduate programs also include assessment of one core learning outcome per year. Recently assessed core learning outcomes include:
- Global Perspective
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication
- Critical Thinking — Spring 2019 Administration of CLA+
IV. Report on Core Learning Outcome Assessment
- 2017–2018 High Impact Practice/Service Learning First Year Course Evaluation
- 2016–2017 Oral Communication Assessment Report
- 2015–2016 High Impact Practices in Core Foundation Courses Evaluation Report
- 2015–2016 Professional Writing Assessment Report
- 2015–2016 Freshman Writing Assessment Report
- 2015–2016: Core Curriculum Updates
- 2014–2015: Global Perspective Assessment Report
- 2012–2013: Scientific Process Outcome Assessment Instructors' Report
- 2011–2012: Scientific Process Outcome Assessment
- 2012 Summer: Core Curriculum Review Report
- 2012 Summer: Foundation of Science Course Review
- 2011 Summer: Report from the Director of Core Curriculum
- 2011: Foundation of Inquiry Survey Results
- 2011: Foundation Of Scientific Inquiry Survey Results
- 2011–2012: Collegiate Learning Assessment Report
- 2011–2012: Writing Skill Assessment in Foundation of College Composition
- 2011 Spring: Critical Thinking Assessment in Foundation of Inquiry Report
- 2010–2011: NYIT Institutional Wide Writing Skill Assessment Report
V. External Resource
Provided below are great resources for faculty assessing NYIT core outcomes across all academic disciplines:
VALUE Rubrics (Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education) are created by AAC&U (Association of American Colleges and Universities) for assessing students intellectual and practical skills, and personal responsibilities in the following areas:
- Inquiry and Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Creative Thinking
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication
- Reading
- Quantitative Literacy
- Information Literacy
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Civic Knowledge
- Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
- Ethical Reasoning
- Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning
- Integrative and Applied Learning