Assessment
at the University of Nebraska at Kearney

department assessment
    > Geography and Earth Science Department
    > Public Presentations/Capstone Course

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ASSESSMENT PLAN
Public Presentations:
Student learning is assessed through oral presentations, which are required in several of the department's sophomore level and above courses. All faculty and other majors are notified and invited to the presentations. Faculty informally discuss the level of this body of work and make suggestions where indicated.

Capstone Course:
The capstone course, Geography 450, Geography Seminar, is required of all majors. Effective written and oral communication of geographic knowledge is emphasized and assessed for each student.

1999-2000 ASSESSMENT
1998-99 ASSESSMENT
1997-98 ASSESSMENT
1996-97 ASSESSMENT
Public Presentations and Capstone Courses: Student public presentations given over the past year numbered six, all students from the capstone course, GEOG 450.

In addition, those students enrolled in this capstone senior seminar, submitted their work in written form as well as verbal. These papers were read by at least three faculty, and the evaluation of the student (i.e., their course grade) was partially dependent on this written version of the study.

The faculty of the department were unanimous in the opinion that the increased usage of oral presentations is an important improvement in our programs. Regardless of the techniques use as an assessment tool, we felt that it was an important addition to these student's education.

1995-96 ASSESSMENT
1994-95 ASSESSMENT
1993-94 ASSESSMENT
Student public presentations were more numerous than usual last year. A total of 15 majors gave individual oral reports, as part of four courses. The courses were: GEOG 321, Economic Geography; GEOG 415, Internship; GEOG 450, Geography Seminar; and GEOG 499, Independent Study. These presentations were each attended by two to six of the six geography faculty, and anywhere from two to ten students. The faculty who attended the presentations discussed each student's performance, and, with the exception of GEOG 321, arrived at a consensus letter grade for the student.

In addition, those students enrolled in the capstone senior seminar, GEOG 450, submitted their work in written form as well as verbal. These papers were read by at least three faculty, and the evaluation of the student (i.e., their course grade) was partially dependent on this written version of the study.

The faculty of the department were unanimous in the opinion that the increased usage of oral presentations is an important improvement in our programs. Regardless of the techniques use as an assessment tool, we felt that it was an important addition to these student's education.

assessment home | department means | department home

17 May 2005
cutlerj@unk