The use of direct and indirect evidence to assess University, Program, and course level objectives and student competencies in chemical engineering

Abstract

The Chemical Engineering Department at Brigham Young University (BYU) has partnered with BYU's Institutional Assessment and Analysis unit to implement a number of assessment tools. These tools involve both direct and indirect evidence measures to assess university, program, and course level objectives and student competencies. Direct measurement tools include a mandatory-pass senior competency exam, instructor end-of-course proficiency evaluations, composite assessment of communication skills across several courses, and the California Critical Thinking Skills Test. Indirect tools include student end-of-course proficiency surveys, in-course minute paper surveys, the National Survey of Student Engagement, and university-conducted surveys of seniors, alumni, and employers. This paper discusses a suite of direct and indirect assessment tools and their use to facilitate a comprehensive evaluation of student learning and of the learning environment necessary for a continuously improving educational process. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2007.