Gerontology Assessment Plan

Weber State University

Gerontology

Assessment Plan

Academic Outcome Process

It is important to remember that individual students are not the focus of the outcome process, but, rather, the various courses and the overall effect that the program has on the students who major in gerontology at Weber State University are the focus. There are two major methods of assessment.

Direct assessment

The first is a direct assessment of the effective of courses in achieving the objectives included in the academic focus/outcomes listed below. Students will be directly assessed through examinations, written assignments, presentations, and research projects.

The following evidence will be made available for the assessment.

Student Portfolio: All students majoring in gerontology will have a portfolio that can be used to document course outcome. The folder will include course grades, all major written assignments, and projects/term papers.

Course Portfolio: The course portfolio will be utilized in assessing outcome of each course. The following will be included:

A comprehensive syllabus for each course will be included in the course portfolio. The syllabus will include course objective, detailed contents of course, complete description of all assignments and papers, and method of grading.

Samples of all major tests that are given in each course. The tests will allow for an assessment of the indicated outcomes as reflective of grades that are included in the student portfolio.

Indirect assessment

The second is an indirect assessment which requires a global assessment of outcomes over a several-year period. Thus, the assessment will be on the ten outcomes rather than the many sub-elements that instructors can assess as each student completes a particular course. The indirect assessment of courses will involve student a exit interview and major employers of Weber State Gerontology graduates and alumni of program.

The timing of each method of assessment is included in the following table.

Method of Assessment	Time of Assessment
Direct Assessment
D1. Written examination on text and course content	Each semester
D2. Clinical evaluation by practicum supervisor	Each semester
D3. Skill demonstration by assignment and /or test.	Each semester
D4. Written assignment	Each semester
D5. Case study/application paper	Each semester
D6. Group/individual presentation	Each semester
D7. Research project	Each semester
Indirect assessment
ID1. Exit interview	Each semester
ID2. Alumni survey	Every third year
ID3. Employer survey	Every third year

Academic Focus/Outcome	Course	Direct Method of Assessment	Indirect Method of Assessment
1. Introduction and overview of the discipline of gerontology.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Scientific process and methods used in studying aging process	1010, 2220, 3120,3400, 3600	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Language, key concepts, and empirical principles in gerontology	1010, 2220, 3000,3120, 3320, 3500, 4220, 4650, 4990	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Biological and social theoretical models used to understand the aging process.	1010 , 2220, 3120	Dl Exam on course content D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Characteristics of the elderly - myths vs. reality	1010, 2220	Dl Exam on course content
• Experience of growing old in an industrialized society	1010, 2220, 4220	Dl Exam on course content
• Relevant issues and programs involving older persons	1010, 2220, 3120,3320, 3500, 4220	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
Skills and abilities:
• Locate scientific studies dealing with aging.	1010, 2220	D4 Written assignment
• Discuss relevant issues and programs for older persons.	1010, 2220, 3120	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Distinguish between myths and reality	1010, 2220, 3120	Dl Exam on course content D3 Skill demonstration
2. Process and content of policy in both the private and public sector.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• How local, state, and national social problems emerge and are defined.	3500	Dl Exam on course content
• Influence economic, socio-cultural, budgetary, and judicial factors have on development of gerontological policy.	3500	Dl Exam on course content
• Political and organizational processes used to influence policy.	3500	Dl Exam on course content
• Process for developing and implementing public and private sector policy.	3500	Dl Exam on course content
• Current social policy/programs and their historical development.	1010,2220, 3320,3500,4220, 4650,4990	Dl Exam on course content D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Theoretical and empirical models for policy analysis.	3500	Dl Exam on course content
• Values and ethics that guide gerontologists in practice and policy.	3500	Dl Exam on course content
Skills and abilities
• Discuss relevant policy issues	3500	D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Utilize a model and actually assesses a current social policy.	3500	D5 Case study/application
3. Diversity and its impact on the aging process.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Characteristics of ethnic elderly population.	1010, 3320	Dl Exam on course content
• Differential impact that ethnicity has on the aging process.	1010, 3320	Dl Exam on course content
• Theoretical models used in understanding the uniqueness of the aging process for particular ethnic groups.	3320	Dl Exam on course content
• Ethnic experience of growing old.	3320	Dl Exam on course content D5 Case study/application
• Relevant health, medical care, life courses, family structure, mental health and provision of service issues.	3320	Dl Exam on course content
• Scientific methods utilized in studying ethnic groups.	3320	Dl Exam on course content
• Empirical body of knowledge dealing with ethnic aging	3320	Dl Exam on course content
Skills and abilities
• Locate and summarize scientific studies dealing with ethnicity and aging	3320, 3400	D4 Written assignment
• Select and utilize theoretical models to analyze a case of an ethnic older person.	3320	D5 Case study/application
• Discuss relevant issues that face ethnic older persons/communities.	3320	D6 Grp/indiv presentation
4. Scientific methodologies utilized in gerontology			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Process for scientific methods of inquiry.	1010, 2220, 3400, 4990	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Relevant issues and principles in doing scientific research.	3400	Dl Exam on course content
• Models for assessing research findings.	3400	Dl Exam on course content
• Research designs for evaluation of practice strategies.	3400	Dl Exam on course content D5 Case study/application
• Need for development and utilization of knowledge grounded in sound scientific principles for the purpose of arriving at alternative intervention in practice.	3400	D4 Written assignment
• Qualitative and quantitative research processes.	3400	Dl Exam on course content
• Methods of community based social survey research.	3400	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Professional codes of ethics in (a) using human subjects, (b) following sound scientific principles, (c) giving credit to others’ work, and (d) reporting findings for single system and survey research projects.	3400	Dl Exam on course content
Skills and abilities:
• Critical thinking skills in designing scientific studies	3400	D3 Skill demonstration
• Scientifically designing and assessing intervention strategies for practice.	3400	D3 Skill demonstration D4 Written assignment D7 Research project
• Planning and doing social surveys.	3400	D3 Skill demonstration D7 Research project
5. Quantitative analysis.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Language and concepts of statistics.	3400, 3600	Dl Exam on course content
• Methods of organizing and displaying data sets that facilitate communication of the characteristics of data.	3600	Dl Exam on course content
• Assumptions underlying both descriptive and inductive statistics.	3600	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Methods for selecting most appropriate and discerning statistical tests.	3600	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Calculating both descriptive and inductive statistical tests.	3400, 3600	Dl Exam on course content D3 Skill demonstration D4 Written assignment
• Interpreting statistical findings in such a manner that researchers and practitioners can easily understand and utilize research findings.	3400, 3600	Dl Exam on course content D3 Skill demonstration D4 Written assignment
• Methods of preparing data set for computers.	3600	Dl Exam on course content D3 Skill demonstration D4 Written assignment
• Steps in computer analysis using descriptive and inductive statistical tests.	3600	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment
• Professional code of ethics in (a) utilizing appropriate tests, (b) reaching conclusions, and (c) communicating results.	3400, 3600
Skills and abilities:
• Selecting the most appropriate descriptive and inductive statistical test and calculating and interpreting the results of the analysis.	3600	Dl Exam on course content D3 Skill demonstration
• Creating a computer data file and doing computer analysis of data sets using both descriptive and inductive statistics	3600	D3 Skill demonstration
6. Planning, preparations and transition to the later phases of life -- retirement.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Importance of taking a pro-active approach in planning and making preparations for later stages of the life cycle.	4650	Dl Exam on course content
• Dimensions of economic planning, implications for retirement.	4650	Dl Exam on course content
• Factors and process of moving from a work ethic orientation to a world of leisure.	1010, 2220, 4200	Dl Exam on course content
• Life style options and necessary considerations as older persons age.	1010, 2220, 4650	Dl Exam on course content
• Elements in identifying a housing and geographical locations for retirement, i.e., housing options, types of structures, compatibility with age related body changes, structures, climates, costs, and housing.	4650	Dl Exam on course content
• Considerations in developing comprehensive retirement plans.	4650	Dl Exam on course content
Skills and abilities:
• Developing comprehensive retirement plans.	4650	D4 Written assignment
7. Crisis, disorders, and maladaptive behavior associated with older persons.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Issues of independent and dependent living of older persons.	1010, 2220, 3120	Dl Exam on course content
• Types of emotional reaction to age-related crisis.	3120	Dl Exam on course content
• Elements and recognition of defense mechanisms common among older persons.	1010 , 2220, 3120	Dl Exam on course content
• Elements and recognition of psychiatric disorders common among older persons.	3120	Dl Exam on course content
• Elements and recognition of cognitive disorders associated with older persons.	3120	Dl Exam on course content
• Dimensions in doing comprehensive assessment of older persons.	3120	Dl Exam on course content D3 Skill demonstration D5 Case study/application
• Methods of identifying community resources available to older persons who are experiencing crises and disorders.	1010	Dl Exam on course content
Skills and abilities:
• Effective interviewing of older persons.	3120, 3400	D4 Written assignment D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Doing assessment/diagnostic evaluation of older persons.	3120	D5 Case study/application
• Identifying resources and making the most appropriate referrals.	3120	D4 Written assignment D5 Case study/application
8. Death, dying, and grieving process.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Recognition that death is a reality, and planning and preparation are important in dealing with the process.	1010, 3000	Dl Exam on course content
• Dying and grieving processes.	1010, 2220, 3000	Dl Exam on course content
• Elements and considerations in planning and dealing with dying and death.	3000	Dl Exam on course content
• Community resources available to assist persons, friends, and families in dealing with dying and death.	1010, 3000	Dl Exam on course content
Skills and abilities:
• Developing plans for dying and death	3000	D4 Written assignment
• Assisting people in dealing with dying and death.	3000	D4 Written assignment D6 Grp/indiv presentation
9. Testing and integration of empirical principles in the world of work.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understand of:
• Relationship between theory and research as it applies to the world of work.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Process of identifying and making agency referrals.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Structure and policies of agencies.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Agency-specific learning of administration and procedural processes.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Importance of coming to terms with personal feelings and values that interfere with professional responsibility in working with clients.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
Skills and abilities:
• Identifying community resources and making appropriate referrals.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Keeping confidentiality.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Effective oral and written communication.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Work ethic.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Setting priorities, organizing work, and managing time.	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
• Adhering to rules, policies, and procedures of a specific agency	4861, 4862	D2 Clinical evaluation
10. Preparation for work and/or graduate school in gerontology.			ID1. Exit interview ID2. Alumni survey ID3. Employer survey
Knowledge and understanding of:
• Review, reinforce, assess, and integrate gerontological knowledge in preparation for gerontology world of work.	4990	D4 Written assignment D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Preparation for job seeking and/or graduate school admission.	4990	D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Specialized gerontological topics not included in current curriculum that senior students desire.	4990	D4 Written assignment D6 Grp/indiv presentation
• Review, synthesize, and evaluate gerontological perspectives as they relate to the student’s selected area of work in gerontology.	4990	Dl Exam on course content D4 Written assignment D6 Grp/indiv presentation
Skills and abilities:
• Identifying potential opportunities in the job market.	4990	D3 Skill demonstration
• Developing a resume for employment.	4990	D4 Written assignment
• Effective techniques for job interviewing	4990	D3 Skill demonstration D6 Grp/indiv presentation

Mission Statement / Student Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid / Results of Assessment / Contact Person

Students \| Prospective Students \| Alumni \| Faculty & Staff \| Community \| General Information
Comments or questions about this area of our site? Give us your feedback. Weber State University - Office of Academic Affairs, Ogden, Utah 84408, (801) 626-6000 Copyright © 1999 All Rights Reserved.