Assessment at Northwestern
Key principles and structures that guide assessment at Northwestern University
Assessment & Curriculum Mapping
Assessment is the systematic process of data collection, analysis, and reflection to improve student learning.
Overview
Student assessment is a fundamental step in the teaching and learning process. Whether teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level, it is important for instructors to know how to methodically evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching by measuring how well students in the classroom are learning the material. Measuring student learning through assessment is important because it provides useful information to instructors and students about the extent to which students successfully meet course learning objectives. At the unit and school levels, assessment is a systematic approach used to understand students’ learning at a higher level so that our institution can evaluate and enhance its learning contexts. Evidence related to students’ learning allows us to leverage and celebrate our institution’s strengths and informs decisions to change or refine elements related to students’ learning experiences.A curriculum map serves as a tool to outline where in the curriculum student learning outcomes are taught and assessed. It also shows that the course learning objectives are in alignment with program learning objectives. A curriculum map helps to ensure that there is a clear connection between expected learning and what is taught in the curriculum. This type of mapping analysis illustrates how courses within the curriculum build to construct the program.
At the Searle Center, we look forward to collaborating with faculty and staff to increase capacity around assessment of student learning and curriculum mapping to move forward an institutional assessment strategy and course offerings that are centered in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
Assessment at Northwestern University
The Assessment Process
The assessment cycle and how to develop meaningful student learning objectives and assessments
Assessment Repository
Examples of recent assessment activities from across the university
Learning & Teaching Guides
Guides created by or in collaboration with the Searle Center to help educators and administrators explore and advance assessment and curriculum mapping.
In Our Library
A curated list of recommended books related to assessment and curriculum mapping available at the Menges Library, located in the Searle Center.
Advancing Assessment for Student Success
Driscoll, A., Wood, S., Shapiro, D., Graff, N., 2021
Assessing Student Learning: A Common Sense (3rd ed.)
Suskie, L., 2018
Assessing and Improving your Teaching: Strategies and Rubrics for Faculty Growth and Student Learning.
Blumberg, P., 2014
Assessment Clear and Simple: A Practical Guide for Institutions, Departments, and General Education
Walvoord, B.E., 2010
Further Resources
Our current recommendations for both foundational and leading-edge content related to course design and delivery.
Calendar of Events
Below are all of our upcoming events related to assessment and curriculum mapping.
Oct
3
2023
Grading for Growth: Toward more humane, authentic, and trustworthy ways to evaluate student work
12:00 PM
This event (open to Northwestern University faculty, staff, and students) kicks off the 2023-24 Reimagining Assessment P...
Oct
9
2023
2023 Fall Reimagining Assessment Practicum (RAP)
All day
The Reimagining Assessment Practicum is a three-week online program designed for participants to learn more about and re...
Nov
6
2023
2023 Fall RAP Learning Lab: Alternative Grading for Course Design
All day
This Learning Lab will meet two (2) times between Monday, November 6 - Friday, December 1, 2023.
Learning Lab Facilitato...
Jan
16
2024
2024 Winter Reimagining Assessment Practicum (RAP)
All day
The Reimagining Assessment Practicum is a three-week online program designed for participants to learn more about and re...
Apr
8
2024
2024 Spring Reimagining Assessment Practicum (RAP)
All day
The Reimagining Assessment Practicum is a three-week online program designed for participants to learn more about and re...
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach us at assessment@northwestern.edu.