Use of Reports in University Assessment - Coursework Example

Name: University: Course: Tutor: Date: Use of Reports in University Assessment Introduction Reports are the main resources which are used by universities to assess the progress of the students in all the activities which they will be involved in. The assessments being done are mainly meant to improve learning and teaching and they also inform decision makers to be able to make decisions or even plan their operations. The reports would highlight areas of success such as creating rubrics which are useful, alignment of curriculum to provide desired outcomes to the users of the reports needed, provision of corresponding samples derived from students work and development of explicit standards Finally, the reports are also used as evidence of if students are able to meet expectations set or they are able to exceed them based on the delivery of the units they are being taught and their performance(McMillan & Weyers 2006). Elements of the report The reports which are used by the universities in their assessments have different elements which make the report incorporate all the areas which needs to be assessed. The elements which are covered in this research paper might not necessarily follow each other in the report as they have been represented here it all depend on the emphasis of what the report want to emphasize on most (Poe Et al. 2001). While using the reports in its deliveries it should first incorporate the assessment questions and outcomes which need to be investigated in the report. This will provide guidance on what need to be done accessed on by all the stakeholders. The questions should be clear, precise and to the point to make it easy for any one who will be using the report to be able to indentify on what need to be met by the report being presented. It is as advisable to involve all the stakeholders in the university to provide insight on what they would need accessed by the report such that it will be inclusive in its operations (Arbor, 2009). The data collected for the assessment should be done as a form of evidence of what transpired and the dates when they were collected. It should also specify how the sample being used in the report was arrived at and if any sampling method was used to obtain it. It should also be clear on who submitted the data, the number of the students who are involved in the program and the number of graduates each year. The report could be based on the entire population of a few who are asked to participate in the study. If the section is done for a few of them then it is important to evaluate on how such sample is selected and the actual number of people who participated and an analysis of those who did not respond (McMillan, & Weyers, 2006). Evaluation of the evidence is important as it evaluates on the exam which was done and how it was scored. It usually has the rubric used in the report being evaluated. The rubric used is much detailed and has the presentation of how the marks were allocated to different questions which were being examined. The anchors of the benchmark samples of the student work used are indentified as well to emphasize on how evidence was evaluated for ease understanding of the report for decision making (Outcomes Assessment Manual, 2000). There are different events which takes place in the university the report should incorporate different timelines of the key events which are being carried out. The timeline of the events are informative to the decision makers to be able to understand on the events taking place and the time they are taking place for decision making which would affect their operations. The events schedule is of important in the university as it mainly determines the activities being used and their application as well. Exams are the main tool which is used by universities to perform its assessments therefore the report should incorporate the number of students who passed the exam and the different grading which each of them scored. This is done at the summary of the results which grades the students in different subjects which are being taught and provides a break down of the performances which are being accessed (University of Central Florida, 2008). Intended use of assessment Curriculum related Curriculum development and revision is one of the activities or tool which the university uses in formulation of its assessment and delivery training of different courses which they offer. The assessments done by the university by use of reports would have different actions which need to be taken. Therefore, the university committee which makes decisions would evaluate on whether they would change the courses being taught or the assignments being done. It is also the bases on whether the course contents would be revised or not. The anchors that are set are also shared with the students as well, the outcome of courses and programs are also revised based on the reports which are presented to the university committee (Arbor, 2009). The courses being done are also rescheduled of the frequency modified to meet the changing needs of the different stakeholders in the university. The modification and rescheduling is mainly based on the reports provided to the university committee that make decisions The prerequisites are enforced or revised, this basics some time the report would provide indicators which would inform the decision makers to revise or enforce them depending on their effects to the daily running activities of the university (McMillan & Weyers 2006). Course has sequence that is being followed and periodically there is need to revise such sequence. For the revision to be of benefit its important to have it researched and recommended by a report that even provide the reasoning which has made it be considered for revision. The sequence of the course being done affects the operations of the university and any alteration of the operations need to be based on factual evidence that there is need to alter such sequence. This is the reason why the reports become handy in provision of the information which is required to make such decisions (Outcomes Assessment Manual, 2000). Resource related actions The actions done by the university committee on resource or actions being done are also based on reports. Equitable allocation of resources in away which will make the university maximize on utilization of resources. Such resource allocation would be achieved re-assignment or hiring of staff and or faculty. The numbers of staff and or faculty is determined by the decision making committee which derive the information they need to come up with such information from the reports presented to them. The report would recommend on re-assigning/hiring of staff based on the previous experiences, current situations or the foreseen changes which the university would realize in the near future (University of Central Florida, 2008). Classroom sizes are mainly dependent on the recruitment made per semester. Therefore, if the report has indicators of increased number of students who have been recruited then the university would make decisions to increase the classroom space or create a new stream. Other actions which would be done is the decision of training the staff if the report indicate that there is need for additional skills in what they does to meet the changing needs of the customers (Poe Et al. 2001). Academic process The academic processes which the university involves in need to be managed well and continually improved. Such management and improvements would be done on arguments which would be derived from reports which recommend on what need to be done. The academic processes would be improved by improving how the university uses technology in all its operations especially with the aim of automating operations and computerization. Technology keeps on changing and if the university will not change its use of technology most of its operations would be absolute or of no relevance. Therefore it is important for the university to upgrade its technology. Such changes would only be viable if at all they are based on reports which are well researched and though of to provide the correct recommendations which would make changes in the organization (McMillan & Weyers 2006). The university also uses reports to inform its decision makers in whether they should revise processes, procedures or the standard which are currently being used by the university. Progress of the university is mainly dependent on the procedures and standards which are used in its processes. Hence, reports play an important role in determining how the processes would be restructured to add value to the services being offered by the university (Poe Et al. 2001). . The admission criteria needs to be revised as well as different courses and market targets has different needs hence its important to formulate the revision of the admission criteria. Reports provide the information needed to decide on what need to be changed in the admission criteria and how it should be changed. Such changes makes the university to have an appropriate admission criteria which selects most appropriate students to undergo each of the training course being offered in the university (McMillan & Weyers 2006). Assessment plan evaluation The universities keeps on improving their assessment plans to make them more effective. The assessments are done by changing the success criteria and modify the expectations. This is done by either revising data evaluation or collection methods used to develop the report. The measurement approach used would also be changed to ensure the methods used provide the appropriate data that will improve the reports which will be used for decision making The timeline of the report could as well be restructured if it is evident that it would improve the report such timeline would be changed to be of reasonable time line which will provide a good report (Poe Et al. 2001). Conclusions In conclusion after the reports are discussed by the faculties or all decision making organs of the university, the reports would include sections that describe actions taken by the program. It also includes details such as who would take such actions, the timeline expected of them, and the timeline they would implement the actions recommended to be done. The universities have kept on working hard to identify appropriate formats, review criteria and the best way of submitting the required University Assessment. The universities has emphasized on use of reports in its assessment because they have realized reports are powerful, convenient and efficient way of assessing, planning and improving the processes of the universities (Outcomes Assessment Manual, 2000). References Arbor, A, 2009, Critical Issue: Reporting Assessment Results. Available from: McMillan, K & Weyers, J, 2006, The Smarter Student: Study Skills & Strategies for Success at University, 1st Ed. Upper Saddle River, Pearson Education Outcomes Assessment Manual. (2000). University of Wisconsin, Madison Assessment website, Available from: Poe, M., Doherty, K & Stassen, M, 2001, Program Based Review and Assessment. Available from: University of Central Florida, 2008, Program Assessment Handbook: Guidelines For Planning And Implementing. Available from: Read More