Transformative Assessment Project - A Course of Action

Project Description

The Transformative Assessment Project (TAP) is a joint project of the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII), the Flashlight Program of the TLT Group, and the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI). This project is designed to elicit new ideas about assessment practices and systems that will transform teaching and learning, and to help institutions of higher education put these ideas into action. Transformative assessment systems are institution-wide assessment strategies that are designed based on institutional goals and implemented in an integrated way for all levels (the course, the program, and the institution) to systematically transform teaching and learning.

Who Will Benefit From Participation in TAP

Any institution that is ready to move from business-as-usual to an integrated vision of how to transform teaching and learning across the institution will benefit. Individuals who would benefit are those who are responsible for any of the following: strategic planning for the use of technology in instruction; campus-wide evaluation of teaching and learning and the use of technology; faculty and instructional technology support; and delivery of library services in support of teaching and learning.

Opportunities to Participate

Together, the NLII, the Flashlight Program, and CNI are developing four coordinated venues to explore and apply these ideas:

Focus Session, "Transformative Assessment: Step One," which is scheduled for March 15, 2002 in Denver, Colorado.

NLII Focus Sessions are small (this session is limited to 60 attendees) and highly interactive. Attendees have pre-session readings and other assignments; the sessions are facilitated by experts in the topic; and the sessions result in the development of new Web-based decision making tools, white papers on effective practices, and other collective work products. Attendees of this session will also develop draft plans for potential transformative assessment projects at their institutions. These are working sessions. While we will be working with all participants to develop new ideas and practices, the fundamental approach will emphasize action.
Applied online workshop/virtual community (beginning March 25, 2002, and ending May 17, 2002) with modules that help assessment project teams for each institution to:
- Define the purpose of the assessment activities and align these with institutional goals.
- Understand practical applications of basic assessment concepts.
- Identify appropriate methodologies to use.
- Set up an assessment team and project plan.
- Test the methods in a pilot.
- Finalize the project plan.
The TAP virtual learning community is integrated with the online workshop to guide and support assessment teams as they implement these ideas at their institutions. Online community will be opened March 25, 2002 Participants also have the option of extending their involvement in the TAP Project through the end of September, when the learning community pilot will end.

The purpose of the online workshop/learning community pilot is to provide a learning environment that supports members of institutional teams as they carry out transformative assessment projects at their institutions, while at the same time allowing them to continue to be active contributors to the emerging body of knowledge about transformative assessment.

Eligibility to Participate in the Online Workshop/Learning Community

If your institution is represented at the NLII Focus Session on Transformative Assessment (March 15, 2002), you are eligible to participate in the TAP Online Workshop/Learning Community, up to a maximum of 3 participants from each institution. The overall registration cap has been set at 50. Because this is an EDUCAUSE pilot, intended to evaluate virtual learning environments that extend the experience of focus sessions and other face-to-face events, all registration fees are waived. Participants will be required to agree to the terms of a learning contract.

TAP Online Workshop/Learning Community Topic Outline and Timeline
READY system topic area on transformative assessment is under development, to identify the key questions and to help institutions assess their readiness to use assessment to transform teaching and learning.

ELI 2002 Spring Focus Session		Transformative Assessment Project - A Course of Action Project Description The Transformative Assessment Project (TAP) is a joint project of the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII), the Flashlight Program of the TLT Group, and the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI). This project is designed to elicit new ideas about assessment practices and systems that will transform teaching and learning, and to help institutions of higher education put these ideas into action. Transformative assessment systems are institution-wide assessment strategies that are designed based on institutional goals and implemented in an integrated way for all levels (the course, the program, and the institution) to systematically transform teaching and learning. Who Will Benefit From Participation in TAP Any institution that is ready to move from business-as-usual to an integrated vision of how to transform teaching and learning across the institution will benefit. Individuals who would benefit are those who are responsible for any of the following: strategic planning for the use of technology in instruction; campus-wide evaluation of teaching and learning and the use of technology; faculty and instructional technology support; and delivery of library services in support of teaching and learning. Opportunities to Participate Together, the NLII, the Flashlight Program, and CNI are developing four coordinated venues to explore and apply these ideas: Focus Session, "Transformative Assessment: Step One," which is scheduled for March 15, 2002 in Denver, Colorado. NLII Focus Sessions are small (this session is limited to 60 attendees) and highly interactive. Attendees have pre-session readings and other assignments; the sessions are facilitated by experts in the topic; and the sessions result in the development of new Web-based decision making tools, white papers on effective practices, and other collective work products. Attendees of this session will also develop draft plans for potential transformative assessment projects at their institutions. These are working sessions. While we will be working with all participants to develop new ideas and practices, the fundamental approach will emphasize action. Applied online workshop/virtual community (beginning March 25, 2002, and ending May 17, 2002) with modules that help assessment project teams for each institution to: Define the purpose of the assessment activities and align these with institutional goals. Understand practical applications of basic assessment concepts. Identify appropriate methodologies to use. Set up an assessment team and project plan. Test the methods in a pilot. Finalize the project plan. The TAP virtual learning community is integrated with the online workshop to guide and support assessment teams as they implement these ideas at their institutions. Online community will be opened March 25, 2002 Participants also have the option of extending their involvement in the TAP Project through the end of September, when the learning community pilot will end. The purpose of the online workshop/learning community pilot is to provide a learning environment that supports members of institutional teams as they carry out transformative assessment projects at their institutions, while at the same time allowing them to continue to be active contributors to the emerging body of knowledge about transformative assessment. Eligibility to Participate in the Online Workshop/Learning Community If your institution is represented at the NLII Focus Session on Transformative Assessment (March 15, 2002), you are eligible to participate in the TAP Online Workshop/Learning Community, up to a maximum of 3 participants from each institution. The overall registration cap has been set at 50. Because this is an EDUCAUSE pilot, intended to evaluate virtual learning environments that extend the experience of focus sessions and other face-to-face events, all registration fees are waived. Participants will be required to agree to the terms of a learning contract. TAP Online Workshop/Learning Community Topic Outline and Timeline READY system topic area on transformative assessment is under development, to identify the key questions and to help institutions assess their readiness to use assessment to transform teaching and learning.
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