Assessment measures to enhance teaching and curriculum effectiveness

Academic instruction, advising, and curricular effectiveness measures can be enhanced by use of thorough and specific assessment methods that identify and quanta strengths and weaknesses. A series of detailed evaluation surveys were developed at the University of the Pacific's School of Engineering to facilitate processes of course, curricular, and advising assessment,. The forms have been administered to assess instructors' effectiveness in and outside the classroom, to evaluate each course and laboratory, to evaluate academic advising, and for each student to evaluate his or her own academic and professional development. The evaluation forms were administered by faculty at the end of Spring, Summer, and Fall 2000 semesters and have been reviewed, and where necessary, refined, based on faculty and student feedback. Faculty have noted the usefulness of specific measures, and where appropriate, have implemented changes in courses and/or teaching methods.