Cognitive Assessment Redesign (CAR) Project
The Cognitive Assessment Redesign (CAR) project is an institution-wide, network based research project focused on the development and assessment of cognitive skills in undergraduate classes. The CAR project aligns well with Queen’s Academic Plan, which emphasizes the development of fundamental academic skills. The project is funded by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) as part of a consortium of three universities (including University of Guelph and University of Toronto) and four colleges.
The CAR project focuses on the following three cognitive skills:
These are being assessed in first and fourth year classes to investigate the "value-add" of student learning. A triangulated approach (see Figure 1) will be used as students skills will be assessed through course assessments, standardized rubrics (VALUE rubrics - Association of American Colleges and Universities), and a standardized test (HEIghten™ - Educational Testing System). Research Questions
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Figure 1: The triangulated approach uses course assessments aligned to standardized VALUE rubrics from the AAC&U, as well as the standardized HEIghten™ test from the ETS to assess the development of students' cognitive skills from first to fourth year at Queen's University.
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Project Goals
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Figure 2: Visual representation of the CAR network. The assessment facilitator is the center around which the exchange of information and expertise (for teaching and assessment activities) radiates. |