Step 3: Collect data

Now that you have an assignment(s) that directly measures student learning, how are you going to collect data about student learning using this assignment?

Data collection is the next step in the assessment process. This section will cover the process of collecting student work, rating (or evaluating) work, and storing data. The collection process may seem like a daunting task, but with planning, it can move more smoothly and provide quality data and information about the program’s learning outcomes.

Checklist of materials for collecting data:

• Student work that you’ve collected
• A manner to rate the learning outcomes related to the work the student completed
• Secure electronic database
• If possible, examples of student work for each performance standard in paper or electronic form.

Adapted from Marymount University Assessment Handbook (2015)

Gathering, evaluating, and storing

The data collection process consists of three basic steps:

• Gathering: gathering necessary student work and other information,
• Evaluating: evaluating the results, and
• Storing: storing the data electronically.

Following are some questions to ask in gathering materials, evaluating student performance and storing assessment materials:

• Where is the student work coming from?
• How will the student work be organized and stored for evaluation?
• When will the materials be evaluated?
• Who will be responsible for evaluating the materials?
• How will the performance data be stored? How will it be secured?
• How will examples of student work be stored? Paper? Electronically?