Assess this: Educational Assessment Challenges and Practical Solutions

When: Thursday, August 6, 2015, 9 a.m. - Noon
Where: Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) Lower Level L1-190
Keynote: Kenneth Heller, University of Minnesota, Department of Physics

Creating and using practical educational assessment techniques is increasingly being recognized as an important part of being an effective higher education teacher. Please join us for our half-day symposium that will share practical solutions to common higher education assessment problems. Come hear Dr. Kenneth Heller, College of Science and Engineering Distinguished Professor and George Taylor Teaching Award winner at the University of Minnesota, describe how assessment has become a major part of how he views effective teaching in physics education. Dr. Heller will also share his experience in developing assessments of student problem solving in physics education (see examples here & here). There will also be a series of brief presentations showcasing how University of Alberta Faculty have implemented practical assessment strategies in their teaching to improve education. Light lunch will also be provided.

Accessibility:
Sign language interpreting, real-time captioning or other services can be provided upon request. Contact ctl@ualberta.ca or 780-492-2826 by noon on July 23, 2015.

Schedule of Events

Keynote Speaker

Kenneth Heller, Ph.D.

"Are We There Yet? The Assessment Conundrum"
An outcome of a university education has been called critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and higher order thinking skills. Students are supposed to get there by taking our classes. Appropriate assessments could help us know if our students are succeeding and guide us to make the entire process more effective and efficient. It's a tall order.

Dr. Kenneth Heller
Ken Heller is the College of Science and Engineering Distinguished Professor of Physics and the Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota. His particle physics research in neutrino oscillations is currently with the NOvA experiment. His physics education research focuses on problem solving, currently the use of computers to coach introductory physics students. He has served on the Fermilab Board of Trustees and Users Executive Committee, as the president of the AAPT, and chair of the APS Forum on Education. He is a fellow of the APS and AAAS.

Concurrent Sessions

Improving Teaching and Assessment Practice in Rehab Med
Dr. Mark Hall, Professor Chris Zarski, Dr. Geoff Bostick, Physical Therapy
Professor LuAnne McFarlane, Dr. Teresa Paslawski, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Lessons Learned from Computer Based Testing and Assessment in Pharmacy
Dr. Gilles Leclerc, Pharmacy, University of Montreal

Using Test Blueprints and Item Analysis to Improve Multiple Choice Exams
Dr. Ubaka Ogbogu, Law

Two-Stage Exams: Turning Exams Into Learning Opportunities
Dr. Vincent Bouchard, Math and Statistical Sciences

Authentic/Aligned Exam Questions that Assess Problem Solving Ability in Engineering
Dr. John Nychka, Chemical and Materials Engineering

Using Concept Inventory Questions to Measure Student Understanding and Assess Teaching Methodologies
Dr. Saewan Koh, Biological Sciences

Computer Based Quizzes and Flipped/Blended Learning
Dr. Arthur Mar, Chemistry

Assessment and Game Based Learning
Dr. Sandra Davidson, Nursing

Resources for the Event

Assessing Student Learning