In this podcast, Teresa Focarile, Director of Educational Development at Boise State University's Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), discusses how CTLs can serve as effective partners in assessment at both the course and program levels. The presentation highlights the pivotal role CTLs play in supporting faculty and enhancing student learning outcomes through collaborative assessment practices.

Key Points:

Role of CTLs in Assessment:
- CTLs support evidence-informed teaching practices and work to improve student learning.
- They assist faculty in course design, implementing effective assessments, and aligning learning outcomes with assessments.
- CTLs offer workshops, consultations, and programs to develop faculty skills in assessment.
Course-Level Support:
- The CTL offers a Course Design Institute, a 4-day event focused on backward course design.
- Faculty learn to create effective learning outcomes, design assessments that align with these outcomes, and incorporate inclusive teaching practices.
- The institute has shown positive impacts on faculty confidence in assessment practices, with increased ability to define summative and formative assessments and design authentic tasks.
Program-Level Support:
- Collaboration with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness on program assessment reporting.
- Faculty reviewers are trained to provide formative feedback on program assessment reports using a rubric-based system.
- This peer review process serves as a faculty development opportunity, enhancing understanding of effective learning outcomes and assessment strategies.
Collaborations and Partnerships:
- The CTL partners with individual faculty, departments, and other units like general education, advising, and the Dean of Students office.
- These collaborations aim to integrate assessment practices across the institution and support faculty in improving student learning outcomes.
- The CTL also supports service learning programs and offers mid-semester assessments to gather student feedback.
Discussion on the Role of CTLs and Assessment Professionals:
- Addresses the professional divide between assessment professionals and faculty developers.
- Emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication to avoid perceptions of assessment as policing.
- Highlights the need for CTLs and assessment offices to work together to support faculty and enhance student learning.

Conclusion:

The podcast underscores the significant role that Centers for Teaching and Learning play as partners in assessment. By supporting faculty at both the course and program levels, CTLs contribute to improving student learning outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Collaborative approaches and open discussions are essential for navigating challenges and promoting effective assessment practices. Institutions are encouraged to integrate these elements into their contexts to support assessment efforts, even without a formal CTL.

Boise State University, Centers for Teaching and Learning as Partners in Assessment

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