Project Title:
Assessing Student Learning in Business Programs Using e-folio Minnesota Resources
Project Director and Other Associated Faculty and Staff:
Debbie VonSpreecken, Computer Faculty, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Contact: Debbie.vonspreecken@anokaramsey.edu, Tel.: (763)422-3343
Candice Heino, Accounting Faculty, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Contact: candy.heino@anokaramsey.edu, Tel.: (763)422-3340
Project Design:
In order to obtain more knowledge about student learning in business programs, this project used e-folio Minnesota resource to evaluate student portfolios. As part of a uniform plan for assessment of student learning in Business program, the student e-folios were used to document and display learning outcomes and readiness for transfer and/or career entry. Rubrics were developed to consistently measure student performance on e-folio design and contents.
Project Evaluation and Outcomes:
The project team report that business faculty met or exceeded each of the identified goals. Activities included: (1) piloted a uniform plan for assessment of student learning, (2) created a capstone of the assessment plan which included developing student portfolios using e-folio Minnesota resources in accounting, computer systems, and marketing courses with 134 students participating. (3) developed rubrics to measure student performance, (4) trained faculty in e-folio development and use in assessment, (5) achieved 100% participation by full-time faculty, (6) documented and displayed learning outcomes and readiness for transfer as reflected in student portfolios with 3 students authorizing the use of their e-folios for presentation at conferences and 13 authorized CTL to use their e-folios for demonstration purposes. Evaluation revealed that of the 95 students who submitted their e-folios for analysis, 4% exceeded expectations, 74% met expectations and 22% did not meet expectations. On a 4 point scale, the aggregate score assigned to the e-folios for one section was 2.98 and 2.74 for a second section. In a survey of students about the e-folio experience, 49% said they might use e-folio in future, 32% said the definitely would use e-folio in future, and 19% said they would not use e-folio. In a survey of the business advisory committee, 50% said they would view applicant’s e-folios and 50% said they were unsure if they would view them.
Lessons Learned, Dissemination and Sustainability
The project reveals that students were acquainted with e-folio development and the e-folio rubric indicates that the majority of students who participated in the pilot project have accomplished the goals of transitioning their learning to an electronic repository.
An unexpected outcome of the project was that e-folio was embraced by the Vice President of Educational Services as a college-wide project for all faculty and staff. It is not known how many faculty in other divisions have created e-folios or used them in their assessment. In Fall, 2005, the faculty will review the feedback on the e-folio project and, if approved, plans will be developed for incrementally rolling out e-folio into additional courses.
