Assessment and Evaluation of Learning

Nova Scotia Community College

4 Assessment and Evaluation of Learning

Evaluations

The grade value for each test/assignment/project is listed in your workplans. Labs and placements have a Pass/Fail value. There will be a variety of assessment/evaluation strategies used to measure your learning. The various types of assignments provide opportunities for people to demonstrate their knowledge in different ways.

Tests

Tests may include the following formats:

Multiple choice
Fill in the blanks
Matching
Short answers
Essays
True or false

Assignments

Projects and assignments are to be passed in on time. A late assignment, if accepted, will result in a grade reduction as specified in the course workplan.

Discussions about the expectations for project submissions will occur in class.

Faculty may use rubrics to evaluate many of your assignments. A rubric is a chart, which describes the quality that is expected and offers a range to show the level to which it can be achieved. Use of a rubric provides consistent criteria for evaluation. Faculty will describe their expectations with you during discussion of an assignment.

NOTE: Copied or printed material from the internet is not an acceptable substitute for your own work. Assignments must be in your own words to demonstrate your learning.

To avoid plagiarism and copyright infringements always cite your resources and references. Information is available from your faculty and Campus Libraries provide support on how to cite and reference appropriately.

Labs

Skills instruction will occur and be reviewed in the lab. You will be given sufficient time to practice the skills. At a specified time, you will be required to demonstrate the skills as part of testing in the lab.

NOTE: First semester skills must be successfully completed prior to the Skills Development placement, which occurs towards the end of first semester.

Dress Requirements in the Labs and Clinical Settings

CCA students are required to wear uniforms and appropriate footwear in lab and clinical settings. A common color/color combination is usually chosen for the campus. You will receive more information about the requirements for uniforms, shoes and nametags during lab orientation.

Clinical Placements

Clinical placements will occur as shown on your program schedule. All milestone and course requirements as specified must be completed to be eligible to attend clinical placements.

Self-Evaluation and Reflection of Learning

Self-evaluation is an important portfolio learning tool and a great way to enhance your learning. When reflecting on your work, ask yourself things such as:

Did I answer the questions that were asked?
How may I have done things differently?
What did I do well?
What did I like the best?
What could be improved?
What did I not like?
What impact has this had on me personally and/or professionally?
How is this important to the work of a CCA?
How has the overall CCA program changed me personally and/or professionally?

Strategies for Completing Multiple Choice Exams

Cover the options then read the question very carefully. Develop an answer in your head before looking at the options presented.
Remember that you are looking for the best answer, only one is absolutely correct.
Read all the options before choosing your answer.
Eliminate options, read the options and cross out the options you know to be incorrect.
Identify words in the question that will help eliminate an option.
Read the question with each answer. Treat each answer as a true-false question and choose the “most true”.
If two alternatives seem correct: compare them for differences and then refer to the question to find the best fit for the question.
Don’t waste too much time on one question. If you are unsure of the answer, clearly mark the question on the exam handbook and come back to it later.
Use hints from questions you know to answer questions you do not know.
If time allows read through the exam a second time. It is possible you misread questions the first time. Base any changes on concrete reasoning, not just a feeling.

Course/Program Evaluations

At the end of each semester you will be asked by NSCC for an official evaluation of your courses. This information is administered to Institutional Research and is provided to the faculty and Academic Chair for the purposes of program improvement. Student feedback is valued and appreciated at NSCC.