Submitted Fall, 2004
-- Chemistry graduates will be able to coherently organize and present chemical information through written and oral presentation
The learning objectives were measured using an evaluation of the final oral presentations - direct measure category 1. b. x. -- given by all students enrolled in CHEM 469 (Chemistry Seminar). Because all chemistry majors are required to complete this course, this measure evaluates all chemistry graduates. A copy of the evaluation form is attached as Appendix I.
- Minimum Proficiency for All Chemistry Graduates - The median evaluation question score for each student will be no lower than 3 points on the 5-point scale.
- Desired Proficiency for Best-Performing Students -- The median evaluation question score for each student will be no lower than 4 points on the 5-point scale.
A summary of evaluation scores is given below:
| |
Student #1 |
Student #2 |
Student #3 |
Student #4 |
Student #5 |
Student #6 |
Student #7 |
Class Avg. |
| Presentation Organization |
5.00 |
4.57 |
4.79 |
4.38 |
4.71 |
4.46 |
4.71 |
4.66 |
| Effectiveness of Communication |
4.14 |
4.07 |
4.67 |
3.88 |
4.00 |
3.96 |
4.07 |
4.11 |
| Effectiveness of Illustrations |
4.56 |
4.07 |
4.33 |
4.50 |
4.21 |
4.54 |
4.21 |
4.35 |
| Understanding & Applications of Chemical Principles |
4.75 |
4.14 |
4.79 |
4.25 |
3.79 |
3.79 |
4.07 |
4.23 |
| Appropriate Level for Audience |
4.50 |
4.57 |
4.50 |
4.50 |
4.21 |
4.46 |
4.64 |
4.48 |
| Effective Analysis & Synthesis of Themes from Multiple Sources |
4.56 |
3.93 |
4.75 |
4.13 |
4.43 |
4.08 |
4.00 |
4.27 |
| Depth of Analysis |
4.44 |
4.07 |
4.50 |
3.63 |
3.71 |
3.80 |
3.86 |
4.00 |
| Median |
4.57 |
4.25 |
4.56 |
4.06 |
4.21 |
4.17 |
4.29 |
| Course Grade |
A+ |
B |
A |
B+ |
B |
B |
B- |
(NOTE: The CHEM 469 course grade is based on a written term paper and assignments in additional to presentations)
The minimum and desired proficiency criteria were met. Additionally, there was an improvement from 2002-03 in correlation between presentation results and final course grade. The least-squares correlation coefficient, R, for the Fall 2003 course was 0.74, up from 0.61 in the Fall 2002 course.
A second direct measure, 1. b. xii. - portfolios - is in preparation. Files are being established for all declared chemistry majors. From each applicable chemistry course, two samples of writing are placed in each student's file. Prior to graduation, each student's materials will be evaluated for improvement in organization, clarity, effectiveness of illustrations (when applicable), and understanding and application of chemistry principles. This evaluation will not commence until the 2006-07 academic year, when 4-year portfolios will first be available for graduating seniors.