Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
Provost’s Council for Enhancing Student Learning
On this Page:
National Accountability Efforts
2005-06 Representatives to CESL
Statement of Foundations for Learning Assessment
Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's)
Program Assessment Examples
Related links
The Provost’s Council for Enhancing Student Learning is a representative body that seeks to enhance educational effectiveness in the colleges and schools, departments, and classrooms on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. The Council works to achieve this mission by:
- Providing models, tools, and learning opportunities for faculty and students.
- Encouraging and supporting the use of data to enhance student learning, and conducting research in learning assessment.
- Sharing expertise across disciplines and among undergraduate, graduate, and professional education units.
The Council for Enhancing Student Learning received its charge from the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and serves in an advisory capacity to the Provost.
Meetings of the Provost's Council for Enhancing Student Learning are yet to be determined for 2006-2007.
Ad hoc working groups convene as necessary.
For more information on CESL and learning assessment on the Twin Cities campus, contact the CESL representative from your college or:
Arlene Carney
Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs
Office of the Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
110 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-626-9545
carne005@umn.edu
Karen Zentner Bacig
Associate to the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs
Office of the Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
110 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-5082
kbacig@umn.edu
National Accountability Efforts
Launch of "College Portrait - Voluntary System of Accountability." (public four-year colleges and universities)
U-CAN - University and College Accountability Network (private colleges and universities)
2005-06 Representatives to CESL
The Council is comprised of a representative from each collegiate unit and other units pertinent to academic effectiveness, such as the Center for Teaching and Learning Services and the Academy of Distinguished Teachers.
Statement of Foundations for Learning Assessment
Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's)
In 2003-2004, a CESL working group on curriculum assessment developed seven proposed undergraduate student learning outcomes for all undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus. These outcomes have been approved by the Faculty Senate as official policy for the Twin Cities campus:
Single Map of Undergraduate Education at the University of Minnesota
Student Learning Outcomes Pilots - 2007-2008
During the 2007-2008 academic year, a number of departments will be working with the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs to pilot the undergraduate student learning outcomes. The primary goals of these pilots are to:
- Map courses to the seven learning outcomes (see single course and all course mapping spreadsheets
- Develop an assessment plan
- Identify faculty development and resources needs
Additional Background Information about Student Learning Outcomes
- Outcomes of Undergraduate Education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (download PDF)
- Transform Article: What Do We Want Our Students to Learn?
- TEL seminar about learning assessment that was held in December and co-sponsored by the DMC and CESL - direct link to the recording of the seminar
For more information, contact Karen Zentner Bacig, Ph.D., kbacig@umn.edu or 4-5082.
Resources for Learning Assessment
- Maki, P.L. (2004). Assessing for learning: Building a sustainable commitment across the institution. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing.
- Suskie, L. (2004). Assessing student learning: A common sense guide. Bolton, Massachusetts: Anker Publishing Company, Inc.
- Shulman, Lee S. (2007). Counting and Recounting: Assessment and the Quest for Accountability
Syllabi Examples: Integrating the Undergraduate Student Learning Outcomes
Program Assessment Examples
- PsTL Experience Survey: Student Perceptions
- Learning Community Goals: Instructor Interviews
- Commanding English Program Evaluation