Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Student Employment and Assessment

Moseley Center @ Elon University Henry Walling: Assistant Director for Campus Center OperationsConnor Whitaker: Student Manager of Employee Development

November 14 - 16

Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Outline

• Points of Assessment– Why Assessment– Outcomes – Learning outcomes– Drafting outcomes– Action strategies

• Applying it to Workers– Tools/Methods– Evaluations– Results

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Hopeful Outcomes

• How assessment helps

• Applying assessment

• Individuals vs. the group

• Building a training program

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

When I hear the word assessment,

I think…

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Why Assessment

• The main reason why assessment is so important is to help produce data driven improvements in programs.

• There are additional benefits and results that come from doing good assessment such as completing part of accreditations, budget justification, and overall accountability improvement

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Why Assessment

• Shows what we do well and where we need improvements,

• The primary reason why everyone involved in student life should want to be apart assessment is to help create the best programs for our students which includes an environment to work and thrive in.

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Outcomes Based Assessment

• “A systematic and intentional process that articulates what the area intends to accomplish in regard to its services, student learning, and staff development programs. The staff then purposefully plan the program so that the intended results (outcomes) can be achieved; implement methods to systemically – over time – identify whether end results have been achieved; and, finally, use the results to plan improvements or make recommendations for policy considerations, recruitment, retention, resource reallocation, or new resource requests. This systematic process of evaluation is then repeated at a later date to determine whether the program improvements contributed to intended outcomes” Bresciani p.15

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Outcomes Based Assessment

• Systematic and intentional• Purposefully plan• Not linear• Does not have a yes or no answer• Is a cycle• Use results• Plan improvements

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Student Learning Outcome

• The intended knowledge, skills, and abilities that students will be able to demonstrate as a result of their involvement in a particular set of educational experiences.

• Student Learning Outcomes should be meaningful, measurable, and manageable

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

The 3 M’s• Meaningful– It’s identifiable; is it something we care

about?

• Measurable– Is there tangible data?

• Manageable – Do we have the means to have an impact

towards the outcome?

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Drafting Good Outcomes

• Avoid modifiers such as improve, increase, decrease as these can limit the longevity and meaningful measurement– Poor Example: Students will increase

their knowledge of leadership.– Good Example: Students will be able to

coordinate a group towards a common goal

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Where to start?

• With the job description…– Insert the areas do you want to assess

with the students

…we wanted to know if students were able to articulate the skills they developed …we wanted to understand the ways in which student workers grow during their time

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Action Strategy

• What action, event, program, or initiative will be implemented to accomplish the intended outcome?

• Multiple action strategies may be used to accomplish a single outcome and action strategies may work towards accomplishing multiple outcomes.

• Action strategies may change each year. • Not every action strategy will be assessed

individually. • Outcomes should be assessed and multiple action

strategies usually are employed to reach outcomes.

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Methods and Tools

• Surveys• Interviews• Focus Groups• Observation• Journal Reflections or Portfolio

Reflections• Role Plays or Case Studies• Document Analysis/Portfolio Artifacts• RubricsNovember 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Methods and Tools

• Look for any naturally occurring opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning opportunity to be used as a potential assessment method.

AKA Conversations

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Methods and Tools

• Evaluations– Traditional (supervisor/staff)– 360 evaluations

• The list of assessment methods is not all inclusive

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

360 Evaluation

• Typically, performance appraisal has been limited to a feedback process between employees and supervisors. However, with the increased focus on teamwork, employee development, and customer service, the emphasis has shifted to employee feedback from the full circle of sources.

• This multiple-input approach to performance feedback is sometimes called “360-degree assessment” to connote that full circle.

November 14 - 16

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

November 14 - 16

Benefits of 360 Degree

• More open because it provides an opportunity for all those people with whom a person comes into frequent contact to offer feedback

• Fairness• Maximizes the value

November 14 - 16Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University,

Boone, NC

Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Use of the Results

• Build a program based on the needs of the group and the needs of the individual

• Strengthens bonds between staff and supervisors

• Bridges the gap(s) that may exist across generations

• Gives staff the ability to make changes to a program

• Allows for dynamic employment

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Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

• Tailors the job to the needs of the individual through access

• Defines the role of the student employee• Professional development opportunities• Builds relationships• Adds credibility to roles• Develops a sense of ownership within the

department• Accountability • Makes people happy

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Plemmons Student Union Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

November 14 - 16