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Statement of Purpose
Posted by jrevillini
Admin
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
We need to build a strong eLumen support group. Let's face it - there is a LOT to the program and the assessment system it supports. SO please use this forum to ask questions and collaborate on solutions.
While this forum is not affiliated with the eLumen developers or masterminds behind the program, I'm hoping that the parties actively working on eLumen will start hanging out here to help answer questions and find out what topics are hot in the assessment world.
Thanks for joining us and helping to further the progress of eLumen development and implementation.
Peace,
James
While this forum is not affiliated with the eLumen developers or masterminds behind the program, I'm hoping that the parties actively working on eLumen will start hanging out here to help answer questions and find out what topics are hot in the assessment world.
Thanks for joining us and helping to further the progress of eLumen development and implementation.
Peace,
James
Re: Statement of Purpose
Feb 26, 2008 03:10AM
Feb 26, 2008 03:10AM
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 8
Posts: 8
The community of eLumen users is small but growing in CT, and is growing much faster in other parts of the U.S. There are certainly aspects of what we share that focus on the technical how-to's (always a help!); and we also need to develop our questions and approaches in relation to the why-to's and the non-technical how-to's as well. It is exciting to see this all growing at Tunxis, QVCC and elsewhere in the state--and beyond. As David Shupe has so often said, "it isn't about the technology"...the technology is a tool; now to put it to good use to improve teaching and learning!
Brian
Brian
Admin
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
You're spot on, Brian! The why's and how's are the key to unlocking a successful assessment model that works for students, faculty, and yes, the accrediting bodies! This is the place to explore how eLumen can help our colleges put everything together - I have a feeling that these forum walls will swell with the ideas of the eLumen pioneers. Steve is already putting forth some great examples of assessment in practice. Looking forward to many great discussions. Thanks for joining.
James Revillini
eLumen Admin / Research Specialist / Webmaster
Tunxis CC
James Revillini
eLumen Admin / Research Specialist / Webmaster
Tunxis CC
Re: Statement of Purpose
Mar 14, 2008 04:59AM
Mar 14, 2008 04:59AM
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 8
Posts: 8
This semester, through a project with the Center For Teaching in the Connecticut Community College System, I have been available to groups and/or colleges in our system to discuss the matters of learning-assessment. I have been careful in the process to let people know: "I'm not selling eLumen" (literally or figuratively), but instead am trying to engage people in converstations about the big-picture of practical, institutionally supported efforts around regular, consistent assessment of student learning.
I think that the fundamental things we need to work on, that will transcend the specific tool(s) we use, are the standards we learn to set for ourselves, and our understanding of how to reflect these in the design of our courses, programs and related assessments. The advantage we have in eLumen-- those of us who are now using it-- is that the design of the system comes from people who understand the values and standards of teaching and learning; I don't mean this as a statement of pious praise, but instead in terms of practical understanding that is reflected in things like the open, adaptable design of the system setup and the underlying database structure. In some ways it certainly would be easier if such a system were simply plug-and-play. But from what I have heard consistently both state-wide and beyond when talking with groups, many people resist (if not fear) learning-assessment for the very reason that they don't want someone else to come along and tell them what and how to assess student learning.
So we need to learn to grow our efforts for their local effectiveness, but also for their systemic, institutional consistency and continuity; and this we need to do not only within the walls of a single institution, but with an eye on inter-institutional coherence and consistency. I haven't put this in real specific terms for myself, but it strikes me that at this level of defining standards and values together, within and between institutions, we could be very much in the mode like the 'community' that engages in development of opensource software--each contributor with her/his own intended use and contributions, but all sharing an underlying set of standards and practices at a 'meta' level, at the same time. (Opensource Assessment Standards and Practices?)
Brian
I think that the fundamental things we need to work on, that will transcend the specific tool(s) we use, are the standards we learn to set for ourselves, and our understanding of how to reflect these in the design of our courses, programs and related assessments. The advantage we have in eLumen-- those of us who are now using it-- is that the design of the system comes from people who understand the values and standards of teaching and learning; I don't mean this as a statement of pious praise, but instead in terms of practical understanding that is reflected in things like the open, adaptable design of the system setup and the underlying database structure. In some ways it certainly would be easier if such a system were simply plug-and-play. But from what I have heard consistently both state-wide and beyond when talking with groups, many people resist (if not fear) learning-assessment for the very reason that they don't want someone else to come along and tell them what and how to assess student learning.
So we need to learn to grow our efforts for their local effectiveness, but also for their systemic, institutional consistency and continuity; and this we need to do not only within the walls of a single institution, but with an eye on inter-institutional coherence and consistency. I haven't put this in real specific terms for myself, but it strikes me that at this level of defining standards and values together, within and between institutions, we could be very much in the mode like the 'community' that engages in development of opensource software--each contributor with her/his own intended use and contributions, but all sharing an underlying set of standards and practices at a 'meta' level, at the same time. (Opensource Assessment Standards and Practices?)
Brian
Admin
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 81
I think we should explore the "plug and play" idea you brought up. Many software come with sample data, or a sample data pack is available somewhere on the supporting website. Letting users have a glimpse of what they can do with the system through examples is an important step in realizing how the software fits in with your day.
Providing the sample data as an option, or having multiple sample data packs to demonstrate various "serving suggestions" could be a great boon for eLumen (or any other assessment-related software). I can't take credit for this idea - the idea was suggested to me at least 6 month ago by my colleague, Jesse Abbot, who is a faculty member at Tunxis. Jesse has some very compelling thoughts about what I'll just paraphrase as "assessmentology;" i.e. a synthesis of ideology, psychology, and methodology of assessment. I hope he will join us here in the forum some day, but if not, I'll continue to sprinkle his thoughts into my posts where applicable.
Your final note really intrigued me: "Open source Assessment Standards and Practices." YES YES YES, I say. You have succinctly nailed the very thing that I wanted this forum to do for us all, which is to be about open [source] information - that is, information that is 1) usable and accessible, 2) free, 3) a complete work and yet a work that can be expanded upon, changed, and resubmitted for use by others. I'd like to see this forum be the vehicle for discussion and collaboration on such projects, and when I finally get around to putting up the wiki, it would be the repository for community produced open source products, such as your Assessment Standards and Practices Guide, Jesse's sample data packs, HOWTO docs, and so on.
I'm so glad that you're on board with the open source model for information sharing. As involvement with eLumen grows at our colleges, we'll have to stay on top of how each college is leveraging eLumen so we can learn what is working and what needs improvement. From there, we can begin to synthesize our documentation and continue to increase collaboration.
James Revillini
eLumen Admin / Research Specialist / Webmaster
Tunxis CC
Providing the sample data as an option, or having multiple sample data packs to demonstrate various "serving suggestions" could be a great boon for eLumen (or any other assessment-related software). I can't take credit for this idea - the idea was suggested to me at least 6 month ago by my colleague, Jesse Abbot, who is a faculty member at Tunxis. Jesse has some very compelling thoughts about what I'll just paraphrase as "assessmentology;" i.e. a synthesis of ideology, psychology, and methodology of assessment. I hope he will join us here in the forum some day, but if not, I'll continue to sprinkle his thoughts into my posts where applicable.
Your final note really intrigued me: "Open source Assessment Standards and Practices." YES YES YES, I say. You have succinctly nailed the very thing that I wanted this forum to do for us all, which is to be about open [source] information - that is, information that is 1) usable and accessible, 2) free, 3) a complete work and yet a work that can be expanded upon, changed, and resubmitted for use by others. I'd like to see this forum be the vehicle for discussion and collaboration on such projects, and when I finally get around to putting up the wiki, it would be the repository for community produced open source products, such as your Assessment Standards and Practices Guide, Jesse's sample data packs, HOWTO docs, and so on.
I'm so glad that you're on board with the open source model for information sharing. As involvement with eLumen grows at our colleges, we'll have to stay on top of how each college is leveraging eLumen so we can learn what is working and what needs improvement. From there, we can begin to synthesize our documentation and continue to increase collaboration.
James Revillini
eLumen Admin / Research Specialist / Webmaster
Tunxis CC
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