Millikin University
no content
Assessment of Student Learning in IN150/IN151 Critical Writing, Reading & Research 1 & 2

Millikin University Bulletin description:

IN150. Critical Writing, Reading,  and Research I (3) Fall semester freshman year. Course is designed to develop students as critical writers, readers, and researchers.  Emphasis is placed on writing and reading as the path to critical thinking.  Students are asked read and critique texts actively, deliberately, and carefully, to write polished, informed essays for personal, public, and/or specialized audiences, and to reflect on the uses of reading and writing in their public and personal lives to better understand themselves, their communities, and the world.  Library research component is introduced and integrated into the course.  Section offerings vary in approach. 

IN151. Critical Writing, Reading, and Research  II (3) Spring semester freshman year. Course is designed to position students as successful writers, readers and researchers as they move into advanced coursework.  In addition to continuing to develop reading and writing skills introduced in the first semester course, students will be asked to conduct research to participate in academic inquiry.  Each student will write a research paper that demonstrates the ability to incorporate resources and contribute to academic discourse and communities.  An extended and intensive library research component is integrated into the course.  Section offerings vary in approach. Pre-requisites: Interdisciplinary 150.


IN150/IN151 Critical Writing, Reading & Research Assessment Plan

Critical Writing, Reading and Research I & II are sequential requirements in the MPSL. All Millikin students are required to fulfill this requirement by taking IN150 & IN151. 

Coordinator of CWRR for 2007-2008:
Dr. Carmella Braniger, Assistant Professor of English

Critical Writing, Reading and Research I & II are sequential requirements in the MPSL. All Millikin students are required to fulfill this requirement by taking IN150 & IN151.

CWRR Program Learning Outcome Goals

The learning outcome goals for students taking CWRR I (IN150) and CWRR II (IN151) are that students will able to:

  • read and critique texts actively, deliberately and carefully;
     
  • write polished, informed essays for personal, public and/or specialized audiences;
     
  • conduct research to participate in academic inquiry; and
     
  • reflect on the uses of reading and writing in their public and personal lives to better understand themselves, their communities and the world.

CWRR Program Snapshot

The full-length assessment report provides a brief overview of types and numbers of courses offered per semester, variety of students served, facilities, faculty & staff, class sizes & faculty loads, partnerships external to the program and programmatic support structures and program review methods.

The Learning Story

All Millikin students take Critical Writing, Reading and Research I & II where they are given the opportunity to fully explore entry into academic inquiry. The CWRR courses provide students with an introduction to the professional writing, reading and research skills necessary to succeed in the majors. The full-length assessment report highlights the testimonial of a student successfully completing both courses.

Assessment Methods

Library Entrance and Exit Quizzes will measure effectiveness of research instruction.
Student Survey administered through Millikin Office of Institutional Research will measure students’ perceptions of their successful complete of goals.
Student Artifacts (Reading Response, Research Paper, Reflection Piece) will provide substantial qualitative data about student performance in each goal area.

Assessment Data

The Staley Library Instruction Coordinator reports on data results from library quizzes. The Office of Institutional Research collates data from the student survey. Full-time CWRR faculty members collect and assess student artifacts annually.

Analysis of Assessment Results

The report will analyze the data collected and will evaluate the effectiveness of our courses in helping students meet the CWRR learning goals.

Improvement Plans

The CWRR Assessment Team will present the annual report from the previous academic year at the opening CWRR Faculty meeting each Fall semester. Based on the results of the report, plans and recommendations for enhancing and improving the delivery of student learning outcome goals for CWRR I & II will be discussed. CWRR faculty recommendations for improving assessment methods and processes will also be taken at that time.

 

Disclaimer|Privacy Statement |Contact Millikin