Course Syllabus
Course Description
Number: NURS6330
Title: Evaluation of Learning
Credit: 3-0-3
Catalog description: This course will provide methods of assessing learning outcomes for individuals and groups in academic and clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on theoretical reflections and empirical methods used to evaluate educational programs, institutions, personnel, and students.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Graduate Nursing Program
Corequisite(s): None
Textbook Information
Required:
Oermann, M. H., & Gaberson, K. (2005). Evaluation and testing in nursing education (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Recommended:
None.
Technology Requirements
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Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets the ITP Choice requirements (http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/) for the student's academic program.
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Students must have access to the Internet either through the on-campus local area network or through an Internet Service Provider.
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Students must be proficient with Internet access, WebCT Vista and Microsoft Office and demonstrate competency using web browsers, website navigation, search engines and e-mail communication.
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Contact the HUB for software and connectivity issues; no excuse will be accepted for inability to access the Internet and/or technical difficulties.
Course Objectives
By the completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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Evaluate general principles of measurement and evaluation.
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Understand process of evaluation of student learning.
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Apply principles of test construction.
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Apply process of evaluating written assignments.
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Analyze principles of clinical performance evaluation.
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Analyze principles of personnel evaluation.
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Understand process of program evaluation.
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Analyze social, ethical, and legal issues related to testing and measurement.
Methods of Instruction
The faculty and students will collaborate to explore methods of evaluating, testing, and measuring levels of learning and performance. Study will include reading, writing, discussion, and tool development.
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Bulletin Board Discussions: Each week, discussion questions will be posted online. Students are to post their responses to the discussion questions as well as respond to other students’ postings. Postings should demonstrate reflective thought and insight.
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Journal Article Critique: Journal articles related to the assigned topics will be summarized and critiqued.
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Test Item Construction Assignment: Applying principles of test construction, students will design a “test” to be taken by nurses.
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Performance Evaluation Tool: Students will design a tool to be used to evaluate clinical performance capabilities of student or staff nurses.
Course Requirements
- Courses taught in an online format require students to be self-directed and responsible for meeting deadlines.
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Participation in on-line, synchronous discussions is a course requirement. In addition, students are expected to post responses to weekly discussion topics according to the guidelines provided by the course faculty. Responses are to be submitted within one week’s time.
- Attendance is mandatory at scheduled on-campus meetings.
- Students are expected to use APA format for all submitted papers.
- Approval must be obtained from the University Institutional Review Board for all research studies.
- This syllabus provides a general plan for this course; the faculty reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus and/or course schedule including but not limited to assignments, time tables, examinations, projects, etc.
The content outline includes:
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Evaluate general principles of measurement and evaluation:
- discuss process of assessing individual knowledge, competence, and behavior using predetermined criteria;
- recognize differences between measurement and evaluation;
- define reliability and validity;
- define norm and criterion referenced testing;
- discuss uses, limitations, and interpretation of standardized tests;
- discuss standardized tests in nursing education;
- review format for writing learning objectives; and
- utilize components of Bloom’s taxonomy.
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Understand process of evaluation of student learning:
- apply principles of test construction;
- relate objectives to test planning;
- construct test blueprint/plan;
- writing directions for test-takers;
- compose usable test items;
- utilize item analysis data to evaluate test items; and
- apply process of evaluating written assignments.
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Analyze principles of clinical performance evaluation:
- purposes and pitfalls of clinical evaluation;
- who evaluates what and when
- attitudes related to clinical evaluation;
- pros and cons of various tools;
- forms and formats;
- common problems associated with performance evaluation; and
- identification of opportunities for improvement.
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Analyze principles of personnel evaluation:
- evaluation of applicants for positions;
- peer evaluation;
- administrator evaluation;
- identification of opportunities for improvement; and
- legal considerations related to personnel evaluation.
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Apply process of program evaluation:
- describe evaluation models;
- evaluate teaching strategies and materials;
- evaluate teaching and learning resources; and
- discuss influence of accrediting agencies.
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Analyze social, ethical, and legal issues related to testing and measurement:
- summarize issues, patterns, and trends in overall performance evaluation;
- comparing performance with established standards.
Evaluation
| Bulletin Board Discussions (5) | 20% |
| Critique of five (5) journal articles related to course | 20% |
| Test item construction paper | 40% |
| Clinical Evaluation or personnel performance tool | 20% |
Grading Scale
| 90-100% | A |
| 80-89% | B |
| 70-79% | C |
| Below 70% | F |
Classroom Policies
- Attendance: Mandatory for scheduled on-campus meetings.
- Communication: WebCT Vista is the official tool for this course and is accessible online from any computer; students are responsible for monitoring e-mail on a regular basis and should direct all communications with faculty and other students through WebCT or Clayton State e-mail.
- Conduct: Students must abide by policies in the University Graduate Student Handbook, the Graduate Student Responsibilities, and if applicable program handbook; the code of academic integrity will be strictly enforced.
- Electronic devices: Cell phones/pagers must be turned off (or placed on vibrator mode) during class meetings. Permission from individual faculty is necessary before taping a class.
- Mid-term progress report: Mid-term grade will reflect approximately 1/3 of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of “W”; contact the Registrar for withdrawal procedures.
- Submission: Students are responsible for completion and submission of all course requirements as scheduled in the course calendar. Make-up work is at the discretion of the faculty.
To obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disability Resource Center.