324 Agriculture Science • Ph. 715.425.3345 • Fax 715.425.3785 • pes@uwrf.edu
Assessment Activities
Crop and Soil Science faculty have implemented several direct and indirect measures of student learning outcomes since the beginning of Fall Semester 2004. To date, we have administered and/or noted:
1) locally developed standardized examinations;
2) student self assessments;
3) student personal traits at Crops and Soils Club meetings;
4) interactions with the Crop and Soil Science Advisory Committee;
5) student achievement at intercollegiate national competitions; and
6) internship assessments (by students and well as internship supervisors)
We periodically collect data and observations related to each of these measures and then met as a group near the end of the academic year to evaluate our efforts and our students’ progress toward achieving these agreed-upon learning outcomes:
Students will successfully:
- access library, Internet and other informational resources to research topics related to agronomic plants, soils and associated, interdisciplinary agricultural topics;
- demonstrate the practical use of equipment applicable to agriculture, including, but not limited to, field and laboratory equipment, and computers (and relevant software applications);
- demonstrate an understanding of plant taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, physiology and production, as well as soil development, taxonomy, fertility, physics, and conservation;
- demonstrate their ability to work as individuals as well as members of a team through superior human relations skills, communication skills and critical thinking skills;
- develop professionally at places other than UW-River Falls through internships or other experiences.
Locally developed standardized exams
- Two versions (Fall 04 and Fall 06)
- Collect information in Intro to Plant Science (as well as in Soil 210 for the Fall 04 and 05 students)
- Collect information again in:
- Agronomy Seminar, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding
- We analyze data using General Linear Model Repeated Measures test
Student self assessments
- Crops and Soils Club meetings
Observation of personal traits
- Club meetings (leadership skills, participation in fund-raisers, etc.)
- Trips and competitions (teamwork, interactions, etc.)
Interactions with Crop and Soil Science Advisory Committee
- Annual meetings
- Curriculum advice
- Recruiting advice
Student Achievement at Intercollegiate Competitions
- National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Crops and Soils Contests
Internship Assessments
- Interns
- Supervisors (employers)
