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Recognizing the need for organized and ongoing assessment of student learning, Aims Community College is committed to establishing and sustaining a culture of learning which is accomplished through inquiry and driven by evidence. Data and information gathered from Assessment of Student Learning activities will be used by faculty, staff, and administrators to focus assessment efforts on improving student learning, supporting faculty needs to do so through professional development opportunities, and making necessary organizational enhancements based on the results. The ultimate responsibility for academic assessment (Assessment of Student Learning) belongs to the faculty; the responsibility for assessment of non-academic units resides with the administrators and managers.
Assessment of Student Learning at Aims Community College is grounded in the college’s commitment to the Learning College Principles. The college is continuing to make strides in its efforts to emphasize Learner-Centered Assessment approaches. These approaches demonstrate that assessment is most effective when it reflects an understanding of learning that is multidimensional, integrated, and revealed in performance over time.
The purposes of assessment at Aims Community College include, but are not limited to, the following:
- To increase student achievement in both curricular and co-curricular areas
- To improve instruction, curriculum, and other teaching-related activities
- To facilitate articulation of the college’s core learning outcomes
- To focus the institutional mission on quality and level of student achievement
- To promote faculty and staff development and to improve programs, program planning, and development
- To improve service delivery, effectiveness, and other operational activities
Assessment of Student Learning activities will be focused on what matters most for our learners. These areas include Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Oral Communication, and Written Communication and will be measured through institutional level assessment activities.
Aims Community College
Common Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking:
Students who can think critically apply thinking skills and are able to evaluate real-world examples in terms of course content and knowledge. Examples of critical thinking include identifying and exploring issues, recognizing your audience and addressing them accordingly and, framing personal reference and acknowledging other perspectives.
Problem Solving:
Good problem solvers apply thinking skills to evaluate real-world examples in terms of course content and knowledge. Students with strong problem solving skills will interpret the problem, develop a strategy to solve the problem, apply appropriate strategies and procedures, and arrive at a workable solution.
Professionalism:
Students who are professional strive for excellence in their performance of required roles in their future professions. Professionals demonstrate accountability and ethical behavior, maintain a professional attitude and conduct themselves in an appropriate and respectful manner.
Written Communication:
Students should be able to demonstrate a high level of written communication skills as necessary for their future profession through the development and expression of ideas in writing. Students with strong written communication skills will include in their writing a clear main idea or theme, include appropriate content and context, organize their materials to suit the purpose of the document and use appropriate conventions.
Oral Communication:
Students should be able to demonstrate a high level of oral communication skills as necessary for their future profession through prepared, purposeful presentations designed to increase knowledge, to foster understanding, or to promote change in the listeners’ attitudes, values, beliefs, or behavior. A good oral presentation includes a central message with supporting materials, is organized, clearly delivered, and may involve interactions with the audience.
Contacts:
Ross Perkins
Chair of Academic Assessment
970.339.6402
ross.perkins@aims.edu
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