A key component of enhancing the role of assessment in educational reform is the idea of "closing the loop" between assessment data and educational reform efforts. This phrase often refers to providing information to instructors about student learning that allows them to make informed decisions about their teaching strategies and practices. Unfortunately, the methods that have been tried for closing the loop have been dictated by the reform agenda more than the acknowledged needs of educators. This project will describe how a series of tools have been developed that are designed to help instructors consider their content testing in general chemistry in new and enlightening ways. For example, the development of an anchoring concepts content map (ACCM) has been paired with testing data analysis system called EDAS to help instructors gauge student performance on specific content of their own choosing. Additionally, the ACCM project has been paired with artificial intelligence based search algorithms to help instructors better characterize the content domain coverage of their own exams (which they can input via a newly developed portal.) The role of needs analysis in the development of these tools will be highlighted in this talk.

Using needs analysis in the development of tools to help instructors enhance their content assessment

251st National Meeting (2016)

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