Professional & Technical Writing
Assessment of Professional and Technical Writing
Student Portfolios
The Portfolio Contents
Every Fall semester, the Professional & Technical Writing Committee conducts a methodical examination of portfolios created by students as a major requirement in the senior capstone course. Empirical data collected during this examination is subsequently translated into actionable recommendations for curricular changes.
The inclusion of student portfolios in the assessment system is predicated on the theory that traditional measures of programmatic strengths (class sizes, technology resources, etc.) overlook the most fundamental issue in assessing the quality of student instruction—demonstrable skill and knowledge in communication. Achievement in communication skills and knowledge are, of course, difficult to measure, which helps explain why it has not been traditionally included in institutional assessment plans.
A foundational assumption of this assessment system is that the portfolio produced by a student is not only an object to be used for evaluating that student and assigning a grade; they are also evidence of the effectiveness of that student’s educational experiences. Consequently, the portfolio can be examined as an artifact that demonstrates where (and even how) the programmatic curriculum has served that student. In combination with an assessment of all the other portfolios produced by students over an academic year, the curriculum committee then has a rationale basis for making decisions about the strengths and weaknesses of its program.
For the 2000-2001 academic year, the curriculum committee significantly revised assignments in the senior capstone course so that students now developed skills for talking meaningfully about their education in professional and technical writing. Developing this skill in self-reflection has become a secondary consideration in program assessment, as students have become increasingly articulate about the quality of their own learning experiences.
To evaluate student portfolios, the committee uses a standardized
Portfolio Assessment Tool that provides a basis for comparison of programmatic strengths and weaknesses across portfolios.
Annual Report
Annually, the Chair of Professional & Technical Writing staff will write a formal report based on the findings of the committee to be submitted to the department chair. The report will include a summary of effectiveness during the previous year and a proposal for any improvements or corrections that need to be made during the coming year.
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