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last updated: Jun 09 2007
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Instructional Assessment Resources Site (IAR) Debuts with Powerful Assessment Tools for Faculty

Now available a click away at DIIA's Web site is the Instructional Assessment Resources collection of tools for one-stop, do-it-yourself instructional assessment, fully integrated with other popular DIIA resources such as Ongoing Course Assessment (OCA) and Blackboard. IAR's comprehensive, modular, cross-referenced, multi-level tools empower users to easily apply best assessment practices to their own projects, addressing such issues as

  • How do I know if my students are learning what I think I’m teaching?
  • How can I construct fair and reliable tests?
  • Are my assignments helping achieve the goals in my syllabus?
  • Are my course materials clear, useful, relevant, and complete?
  • What kind of data do I need in order to answer my research questions?
  • How can I collect the data I need?
  • What are the best methods for analyzing the data I’ve obtained?
  • Where can I get help in using statistical methods of analysis?
  • How should I report the results of my research so I can publish them or present them at a conference?
  • Where can I find help and ask questions over a weekend or between semesters?
  • How do I develop an effective and persuasive grant evaluation plan?
  • What are the differences in handling qualitative and quantitative data?

Soon after Joel Heikes and Dawn Zimmaro from DIIA's Research, Evaluation, and Assessment group began consulting with faculty about just these sorts of questions, they realized how useful an IAR Web site would be as a 24/7 resource for best practices in assessing classroom instruction, instructional technologies, and instructional programs. So they have designed the IAR site to provide access to their combined expertise as well as that of the other members of their group, Mi-Suk Shim, Lorraine Baumack and Tomoko W. Traphagan, by means of powerful, intuitive features including links to real-world examples, "Quick Tips" for completing a myriad of specific tasks, and a well-organized bibliography. Already, the ASPECTS program for graduate student instructors (GSIs) incorporates several resources from the IAR site to show participants how to perform classroom discussion assessments and to develop more effective class handouts.

Heikes says that the cross-referenced inventory of self-help modules is his favorite feature of the site, allowing it to be dynamic in remaining both timely and responsive to users' needs.  Additional resources in the works include steps for developing effective multiple-choice questions and grading rubrics and for interpreting test results.