Resource Exchange
Assessing
for Learning Project
Grant Years 2004-05 and 2005-06
Submitted by: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Contact: Carol Rovello
Perkins
Grant Helps A-B Tech to Make the Link between
Assessment and Learning more Intentional
As part of A-B Tech’s regional reaffirmation of accreditation compliance review, the college evaluated its approach to learning outcomes assessment, developed a new course outline format, and re-wrote all course descriptions. The next logical step was to help faculty become more proficient in assessing student learning outcomes - to make the link between assessment and learning more intentional. Upon receipt of a 2004-05 Perkins grant, the “Assessing for Learning” (AFL) professional development project was born.
The AFL project had a dual purpose: (1) to foster widespread vocational/technical faculty expertise about assessment and the use of effective learning assessment tools; and (2) to improve the ability of faculty to use assessment results to improve programs. Since vocational/technical students must take required and elective courses outside of their programs and they must meet general education as well as program competencies, the AB Tech project team based this project on the premise that vocational/technical students are “everyone’s” students. This premise guided the project, which emphasized a partnership between the Arts & Sciences Division and our three vocational/technical divisions: Allied Health & Public Service, Business & Hospitality Education, and Engineering & Applied Technology.
The culminating work product of the project was the AFL Resource Guide, which describes the project, details the project team's work, summarizes lessons learned, and includes a collection of materials suitable for use by other colleges.
Download the Assessing for Learning Resource Guide (Microsoft Word file)
Download PowerPoint files from the Assessing for Learning faculty workshops:
- Making the Connection between Assessment and learning More Intentional
- The Assessment Toolbox
- Mechanical Engineering Technical Occupational Analysis
Assessing for Learning2 Project, 2005-06
The 2005-06 Assessing for Learning grant provided an opportunity for A-B Tech to develop an assessment model intended to help instructors understand and use the college occupational analysis (COA) to update vocational/technical programs and enhance student learning. The guide listed below provides a summary of the occupational analysis component of the project. It describes the various activities and summarizes the lessons learned. A PowerPoint presentation used during a focus group aimed at conducting a Machinist Occupational Analysis is also provided.
Download the Occupational Analysis Summary Report (Microsoft Word file)
Download the PowerPoint file from the Machinist Occupational Analysis Focus Group
