Outcome Assessment of Learning Objectives: A Case for using e-Learning Software

There has been widespread interest within institutions of higher education to measure learning outcomes. This has resulted in considerable debate on how to best define, measure, and achieve quality learning outcomes assessment. Yet, there has been no development of electronic processes and tools for continuous program assessment and feedback. This project addresses this challenge, with a $200K grant from the Davis Foundation, by using a commercial e-learning system, WebCTTM, as a technology platform to support the articulation, implementation and reporting of common learning objectives defined across multiple academic disciplines. The project will develop a set of processes and a dashboard system to monitor and report on course and program level learning outcomes in accordance with the University’s learning objectives. The goal of this project is to develop an electronic outcomes assessment process to improve the learning environment for students, the sharing environment for faculty and the reporting environment for administrators.