Assessment data is an important part of making sure an educational program is effective. Volunteers for the Carpentries initiative at Oklahoma State University (OSU) work hard to gather data to provide assessment and feedback and constantly improve the program; in fact, assessment is built into the Carpentries model. Assessment in the Carpentries program focuses on three key areas: instructors, learners, and general comments. This presentation will discuss the practical strategies implemented by OSU Carpentries to build self-assessment into the program.

As part of the program, we gather assessment data before, during, and after workshops. We measure learning outcomes by using the Carpentries organization's Pre/Post-Workshop Survey. Workshop volunteers assess instructors during the workshop, and instructors elicit feedback from students during the workshop through the use of sticky notes. Participants also use a sticky-note system to provide organizers general feedback on the program. Presenters will discuss how techniques used to elicit feedback do not create an undue burden on organizers and what changes OSU Carpentries has made to the program based on feedback. Presenters will also discuss future possibilities for the assessment data we have gathered thus far.

Presenter(s)

Clarke Iakovakis | David J. Lampert | Patrice-Andre Prud'homme | Phillip Doehle