PHYC 4AL: Physics Lab For Scien & Engrs
Stage 5
Jill Johnsen
Basic Information
| Number of Outcomes | 7 |
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| Number of Outcomes Assessed | 7 |
| Assessment Frequency | Every semester |
| Analysis Frequency | Every year |
| Detail Link | Link |
Course Information
| Number of Course Sections | 7 |
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| Number of Instructors | 4 |
Improvement Details
| Details | Each instructor was asked to create their own assessment this semester and report back the findings rather than implementing the same survey or assessment to all sections of lab. |
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Assessment Methods
| Methods | We assess the last 4 PHYC 4AL SLOs this semester. They are: D. Write clear, concise statements about procedures and results of experiments. E. Produce well-designed tables and graphs that illustrate the results of the experiments. F. Identify sources of error in an experiment and distinguish systematic errors from random errors. G. Relate the results of experimental data to the physical concepts discussed in the lecture portion of the class. Each instructor was asked to come up with their own assessment for at least two of these SLOs either on one of the last lab reports or on exam 2. By combining our results we will have covered all of the SLOs. |
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Assessment Data Discussion and Analysis
| Term | Fall 2013 |
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| How and With Whom | faculty and staff in same program |
| Number Assessed | 80 |
| Data Summary | Two questions were included on all instructors’ first exam to kick off our Fall 2013 SLO assessment. A vernier caliper measurement, and an uncertainty calculation. The first question, measurement with the micrometer calipers, requires the student to report the value to the correct decimal place and the correct uncertainty provided the table of uncertainty values. Use the vernier calipers to measure the diameter of the cylinder. d = ________+/-________ This question addresses SLOs A, B, and C. Results from this question for all section of lab showed that 58.8% of students were proficient on SLO A, 32.5% of students were showing progress, and 8.75% were not proficient. Results from this question for all section of lab showed that 66.25% of students were proficient on SLO B and 33.75% were not proficient. Results from this question for all section of lab showed that 95% of students were proficient on SLO C and 5% were not proficient. The second question was an uncertainty calculation: given x = 3.20 ± 0.42 cm and y = 12.4 ± 1.2 cm calculate b = 3y/x^2 along with its uncertainty. b = ________+/- ________ This question addresses SLO C. Results from this question for all section of lab showed that 70% of students were proficient on SLO C, 23.8% of students were showing progress, and 6.2% were not proficient. Instructors were welcome to change the numbers or edit the questions to match their exam format. We developed a grading rubric on an excel spreadsheet to help us asses the SLO questions. |
| Planned Improvements | The vernier caliper should be used more than once before the test. The only time they get to use it is in the first class and by that time they are still confused with the new semester. Instructors should be consistent about deducting points during lab write-ups for incorrect measurements or calculations rather than letting poor work slide until the exams. |
| Program Review Link | No answer |
Future Plans
| Term | Fall 2014 |
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| Activities | Revision of outcomes and assessment methods (measurements), Assessment (measurement) of outcomes, Analysis and discussion of assessment data and next steps |
| Details | Analysis of Spring 2014 assessment data for SLO D, E, F, and G will be performed. A best practice will be discussed for assessing slos in a laboratory class with many different instructors and sections. |
| Highlights | No answer |