The year-end MIS faculty assessment review meeting was held at the end of the Spring semester with Dr. Roger Abshire, the Department Chair, in attendance.  We discussed the course assessments for the core MIS course (388/3310) and e-Commerce (431/4320) course and discussed the results as presented above.  

Progress for both courses was assessed with the comparison of pre-test exam taken at the beginning of the semester and post-test performance using s the pre-test questions that were embedded in the examinations taken throughout the semester.  The questions used on the pre-test and subsequently on the post-tests throughout the semester were selected as representative of the main concepts identified as foundational for an understanding of basic technology concepts and the development and use of information systems in organizations. A qualitative assessment was made by the instructor for the MGIS4320 course resulting in the decision to have more one-on-one time with each student to enhance in the learning process.

We discussed the possibility of using certification exams as a third party assessment tool.  The Microsoft MTA certifications have been made available for the database (MIS390/MGIS3330) and networking (MIS485/MGIS4350) courses.  These courses will be assessed during the next academic year, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.

The two elements identified in the previous cycle were implemented - 1)more one-on-one time with each student to enhance the learning process in MGIS4320, and 2) Using certifications as a third party assessment tool in the database MGIS3330 and MGIS4350 courses.  MGIS3330 will be assessed Spring 2014 and MGIS4320 will be assessed in a future cycle.

The MIS faculty assessment review meeting for 2012-2013 was held with Dr Gerald Kohers, the Department Chair, in attendance.  Course Assessments for the core MIS course (MGIS3310) and Systems Analysis & Design (MGIS3360) were covered and the results of the assessments, as detailed above, were discussed.

Both courses were found to have made satisfactory progress based on the post-test averages meeting or exceeding the 75% score goal.  However, further assessment in the form of qualitative reviews by the instructors identified areas for improvement.  The results of the qualitative assessments are as follows.

In the core MIS course (MGIS3310) it was determined that skills for decision making, specifically with the Excel tool, may be lacking.  The instructor's assessment included input from students, department faculty, other COBA department faculty, COBA administration and alumni.  The plan for further assessment in this area will begin with an analysis of the current Excel skill learning path, pedagogy and development of goals.

In the System Analysis and Design course (MGIS3360) two items were planned. First, it was determined that the course level that is currently assigned to the course does not properly reflect the level of material or level of execution expected on the real world client project that is covered in the course.  Therefore, a change request to revise the course number to a 4000 level has been submitted.  By identifying a higher course level students should be better informed and consequently better prepared as to the rigor and course work load required of a course with a real world client project when planning their own course load.

Second, with the satisfactory results obtained for the conceptual material (results of 75% score or greater on the post-test) a plan to assess the project material covered in the course is needed.  An analysis will be completed in the next assessment cycle to develop the approach for this assessment.