Frequently Asked Questions

Leave the Mechanics of Assessment to Us

We know you have questions about EduMetry’s services. We’ve created this Frequently Asked Questions page to answer them. If you’d like to speak with someone about EduMetry’s services, please call us toll-free at 800-984-8465 or email robert.galvin@edumetry.com.

Another great resource to learn more about Learning Outcomes Management is the Eduventures white paper available through EduMetry.

Learning Outcomes Management:

1. What is Learning Outcomes Management?
2. How does LOM differ from assessment?
3. Why focus on learning?
4. What’s the difference between grading and assessment?

1. Why should we use EduMetry’s services rather than do our own assessment of learning?
2. How would EduMetry partner with us?
3. My faculty is wary of turning this over to someone else. What would you say to them about delegating this responsibility?
4. What is the cost of EduMetry’s services?

Question: What is Learning Outcomes Management?

Answer: Learning Outcomes Management (LOM) is the systematic process of designing, measuring, monitoring and managing student-learning outcomes in a formal educational setting. Historically, this was measured by inputs such as incoming-freshman-class GPAs, SAT scores, and other credentials, as well as processes, including the number and types of courses taught, and more. Recently the emphasis has shifted to the assessment of outcomes.

Question: How does LOM differ from assessment?

Answer: Learning Outcomes Management is much more than assessment. Typically assessments measure learning. But LOM through EduMetry’s services takes this two steps further by monitoring and managing the outcomes. LOM assesses all aspects as a systematic whole.

Here’s an example. Suppose you are the provost or dean of a large urban college, which draws an equal proportion of adult learners and students entering as freshmen directly from high school. Intuitively, you know that each group has different needs. Younger learners are generally better prepared academically and display a higher capacity to absorb theoretical material, whereas the adult learner comes with a wealth of real-world experience that can be related to the materials taught. If our hypothetical college has a large enough population, it would be possible to test our hypothesis that each population has different learning needs with data on student learning outcomes. Then, it would be possible to design curricula, pedagogy, and testing formats based on data. It would also be possible to match each instructor’s teaching style and background with learner needs.

It is in this much broader context that we use the expression Learning Outcomes Management. Learning data-driven recommendations have the power to transform the way colleges educate their students.

Question: Why focus on learning?

Answer: Traditionally, universities and colleges have measured institutional effectiveness by measuring teaching, not learning. Teaching is the activity most associated with educational institutions — yet learning is the desired outcome. An outcomes orientation focuses attention on what students ought to have learned. This renders teaching more purpose-driven, mission-centered, and accountable.

Question: What’s the difference between grading and assessment?

Answer: Grading entails evaluating individual students' academic performance. The emphasis is on the individual student, and whether he or she has grasped conceptual material. On the other hand, assessment is the systematic appraisal of learning of a class or cohort enrolled in a program of study. It entails examining learning-outcomes data and making summative evaluations about whether a program of study meets its objectives by producing the learning intended.

Question: Why should we use EduMetry’s services rather than do our own assessment of learning?

Answer: EduMetry is uniquely qualified to handle your institution's assessment needs. Our staff of Ph.D.- and Master’s-level professionals has experience working within universities and colleges and has been trained in assessment methodologies. We apply best practices learned from each project to our work and have the resources to complete your project smoothly and efficiently. You will save precious faculty and staff time as well as the costs associated with completing such a project on your own, while having the best resources at your call to get the project done.

Question: How would EduMetry partner with us?

Answer: We work collaboratively with college administrators. Initial discussions will center on such preliminaries as alignment between institutional mission, degree-program objectives, and student learning outcomes. If we develop rubrics for you, we validate (calibrate) with pilot data, both of which need your inputs and sign-off. Next, we work with you to craft a representative sample of student learning artifacts for examination. Once we have the samples, we do the actual scoring to generate the data, statistical analysis of the data, and make recommendations based on findings. Lastly, we deliver the recommendations to you and present them to your faculty, if desired.

Throughout the process, you and your faculty lead the way. We do the mechanics of assessment, while you guide the thought-leadership. We become your dedicated partners.

Question: My faculty is wary of turning this over to someone else. What would you say to them about delegating this responsibility?

Answer: It is very common in skilled professions to delegate the tedious chores to an assistant. Doctors delegate tasks to assistants, lawyers have paralegals to research cases and prepare documents. Higher education faculty can rest assured that, like the physician and the lawyer, they will guide the process and have final say in the results. EduMetry is here to do the scoring, data crunching and other chores that would use faculty time in unfulfilling ways. We are here to support — not supplant — your faculty.

Question: What is the cost of EduMetry’s services?

Answer: Please call us for a conversation about your project. Costs vary from project to project and are based on the nature of the assessment project and the services we provide. We are happy to furnish you with a cost quotation and discuss your project.