Ac 2007-772: Webct in Assessment: Using On-line E-tools to Automate the Assessment Process

The authors will outline the automation of an Engineering Technology program assessment process. The program is located within the College of Engineering. The steps include development of the assessment tools, mapping the tools to the programs’ goals and objectives, integration of the tools into WebCT®, the role of student participation, and finally the collection, manipulation, and interpretation of the data. The authors have developed a unique approach to the continual process of an ABET 1 program assessment. This distinctive approach incorporates an innovative use of WebCT to automate the application of several assessment tools. The approach facilitates the academic program meeting the assessment requirements for accreditation 2 . This is accomplished by the automatic collection and manipulation of assessment data in addition to the documentation of the process and the data that is necessary for the purposes of assessing whether a program is meeting its stated goals and objectives. WebCT 3 is an industry leader in providing e-learning systems for educational institutions and many institutions currently use this software in on-line applications for providing course content and feedback from students in traditional classroom situations. This new and unique concept of using an e-tool such as WebCT in the assessment process has the potential to become a major core assessment evaluation methodology component. The authors have found it to be beneficial, efficient, and economic as one of the foremost tools in assessing the students’ acquired scholastic knowledge and skill sets. The process provides timely and valuable feedback to the faculty, program and institution. In addition, on-line e-tools can function as important integrated elements of the academic program’s outcomes assessment strategy. This automated system clearly and concisely documents the programs methodology of assessment and the programs success at meeting its defined goals and objectives. The automated process facilitates continuous quality improvement of the program and is instrumental in fulfilling a major portion of standard accreditation or re-accreditation requirements. Index Terms – Accreditation, WEBCT, Outcomes Assessment Strategy, e-Tools