Assessment methods for engineering programs - Too many choices or not enough?

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

12-1-2002

Abstract

When departments begin to prepare for their accreditation visit under the new EC2000 criteria being used by ABET, they usually begin to search for assessment methods that they can readily include in their self-study report. Often the result is that they develop a number of new surveys and then use them to demonstrate their commitment to self-assessment. There are better ways to proceed! Most programs have had a long history of self-assessment and improvement. However, they may not realize it. And they may have little to document it. In the two years leading up to our accreditation visit, we met and discussed in depth all the myriad ways in which we seek to improve our program. Much to our surprise, we came up with quite a long list of assessment tools for our program, most of which were already in place in some form or other. The main task we confronted was documentation of processes already in place. And while surveys are indeed present, and perhaps the most easily quantifiable, they are probably not the most useful if the goal is actual improvement of the educational process. This paper will discuss the various assessment tools that our department identified, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. It will also discuss the usefulness of each tool as well as their role in documenting commitment to self-assessment and improvement for the purpose of accreditation by ABET.

Identifier

8744272193 (Scopus)

Publication Title

ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings

ISSN

01901052

First Page

11115

Last Page

11129

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