August 31, 2015

SIU Assessment Conference proposals sought

Proposals are being accepted for the second SIU Assessment Conference set for Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

The campus-wide Assessment Committee and Co-Curricular Assessment Committee are conference sponsors, in cooperation with the associate provost for academic programs. This year’s theme is “Actionable Assessment for Academic and Co-Curricular Learning.” Actionable assessment is defined as “assessment that has the potential to be acted upon, or is designed with action in mind.”

The conference committee is seeking proposals that illustrate assessment of all aspects of university life, including classroom, academic support, student life, service learning, and the like. Sessions should go beyond the theory of the assessment process to provide specific examples of ongoing academic, co-curricular, and program-level assessment and the application of assessment results in meaningful ways to improve student learning wherever it occurs. The committee expects participation that reflects the best thinking in the field, informed by theory, research, and practice, along with sharing how learning is evaluated and those results used to improve work with students.

The conference committee invites proposals for presentations, panel discussions, workshops, poster sessions, and multimedia displays on assessment that result in actionable data. The idea is to help the committee:

  • Promote actionable assessment strategies, such as formative assessment or backward course design.
  • Highlight innovation and cutting-edge content.
  • Stimulate and provoke discussion and audience engagement.
  • Discuss best practices using approaches for different types of learners.
  • Present evidence based on or supported by research.
  • Target new, mid-career, and seasoned professionals.
  • Share how to apply evidence to support campus decision-making.
  • Provide new approaches to gathering, analyzing, or presenting data.
  • Demonstrate new methods or case studies of using evidence to assess and improve student learning.
  • Demonstrate new technologies.
  • Integrate classroom/co-curricular assessment practices.

 Email proposals that include the elements listed below by noon September 4, to assess@siu.edu. Please specify the presentation format (presentation, panel, poster, multimedia) and the times you are available to present. For more information or questions, contact Sharon Walters, assistant director, assessment and program review at 453-5669. Applicants will be notified by Sept. 11. The conference schedule will be finalized by Sept. 18.

Proposal Guidelines and Submission Requirements

  • Presentation/Workshop/Panel/Poster/Multimedia Display Title: The title should accurately reflect the assessment focus of your presentation and make the reader want to learn more.
  • Identification of All Presenters: Full contact information includes name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address. 
  • Session Description: Concisely describe your presentation, its intended audience, and other details.  Will there be opportunities for participant interaction?
  • Session Outcomes: What will the audience learn? What content and skills do you hope to provide your participants?

Additional information is available here or by contacting the Office of Assessment and Program Review at 453-7653.