Research and Instructional Services Department  University Libraries, Virginia Tech

Assessment Tools:

Assessment is an important means of improving teaching. In June 2001, members of the Instruction Department participated in a workshop that was designed to develop appropriate mechanisms for evaluation of instruction. A wide variety of tools have now been created, allowing one to pick the approach you feel best meets your specific needs. Brief descriptive information on each is also included to assist in choosing among them. Examples of additional tools and approaches that you have found useful are always welcome.

Teacher-Centered Assessment Tools - The responses for these focus on content, presentation skills, and overall student perception of the session.

Student-Centered Assessment Tools - These attempt to determine what students remember and/or how well they were able to apply what they learned. Some are designed to be used after students have begun actually working on their papers or projects rather than at the conclusion of the instructional session.

Class Preparation:
Using a General Research Skills Survey as a pre-test can help gauge the basics of what students do and don't already know.  A Customized Research Skills Survey works much the same but uses a design and a set of questions that are highly tailored to the needs and resources of a specific discipline. Other potentially helpful preparatory tools include a brief Class Profile and Background Knowledge Probe.

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