April 12, 2014 | SharkAdmin Improving Student Learning Assessment Day On April 11, Northwest Vista College hosted an all-college Assessment Day to assess general education student learning outcomes. Over 150 faculty participated in the daylong event. Hundreds of student samples were collected, examined and scored using faculty-developed rubrics. The purpose of the activity was to gather information needed to understand the level of student achievement for our core learning outcomes. Once results are analyzed, the information will be used to create faculty development and targeted classroom activities to help improve student learning. Assessment Day provides an opportunity for all faculty to have a voice in the assessment process. The results provide essential information for improving student learning across the core curriculum. For members of the NVC community who may not be familiar with our student learning outcomes for the core curriculum, here is the list of the general outcomes: Writing, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Visual Communication, Quantitative/Empirical Analysis, Social and Personal Responsibility, Teamwork. Thanks to all who participated in the Assessment Day teamwork. Earth Day and Our Touchstones We will have our annual Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 17. For information about specific activities use this link: http://www.alamo.edu/newsDetail.aspx?id=38310. I hope many of you will be able to attend the Opening Ceremony. We will be installing our touchstones in campus gardens, so it will be a moving ceremony that will start at 9:00 A.M. at the Live Oak Hall entrance. As you know we have nine large stones, each with one of our touchstones etched in stone, so to speak. Through your feedback in the fall, we have designated a garden for each of our nine touchstones (formerly known as our Values). They are Integrity, Learning, Diversity, Caring, Community, Creativity, Openness, Synergy, and Joy). See you there. At 9:30 J. L. Egremy will conduct a nature walk that will begin at the same place. At 10:00 our annual Earth Day planting, a butterfly garden, will happen next to Redbud Learning Center. There will also be exhibits and other activities outside Live Oak and Cypress. Don’t Forget “The Merry Wives of Windsor” Production – Shakespeare and our students at their best – and funniest!
