The Office of Academic Assessment has initiated several new programs that will further improve teaching and learning at the university.

This fall, the office will be providing a wide range of resources to assist programs with assessment. In addition to the implementation of a new online assessment management program (WEAVEonline) and a new website that offers multiple resources, the Office of Academic Assessment has created a series of workshops to assist programs with the assessment process.

One of the goals of the office will be to help programs develop a ‘culture of evidence’,” said Ray Van Dyke, director of the Office of Academic Assessment. “This concept allows departments an opportunity to validate their work and to show proof of the learning outcomes of their students. That is essentially what academic assessment is all about, being able to demonstrate the academic achievements of students so that academic programs can see firsthand where improvements in their curriculum may be needed.

Van Dyke notes that the assessment process being implemented will not inundate Virginia Tech faculty and administrators with additional work loads. The core of the process is to draw upon the work that students have already done. Departments will then put to use the tools that academic assessment provides to ultimately gain a better understanding of their effectiveness in teaching their students.

Guided by Virginia Tech's own Strategic Plan, which states, "Through benchmarking, assessment, evaluation of academic and administrative goals, and a commitment to process improvement and change, Virginia Tech will achieve greater national and international prominence," the Office of Academic Assessment sets out to clearly explain the importance of assessment to each academic program and to even tailor workshops to the specific needs of a college or unit. Support from the office can also be especially advantageous for those colleges or units that have accreditation agencies to report to.

To learn more about the Office of Academic Assessment, to schedule an appointment to review your college's assessment needs, or to obtain a schedule of workshops being offered this semester contact Ray Van Dyke at 231-6003 or Steven Culver at 231-4581.

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