Westchester Community CollegeVisual Arts Program

What is Assessment?

What is Assessment?Assessment involves the use of empirical

data to refine programs and improve student learning.

(Assessing Academic Programs in Higher Education by Allen 2004)

I was brilliant today!

Step 1LearningGoals

• foundation level knowledge and skills

• prepare students for transfer to university BFA or BA program

Step 1LearningOutcomes

work backwards from standard portfolio requirements

Step 1

LearningOutcomes

observational drawingdesign principles

color theorydigital media

personal voice in workarticulate about work

art historical context for work

portfolio

Step 1drawingDemonstrate skill in the use of drawing media

“Accomplished drawings are above all else, the heart of a successful portfolio . . . . You might be a wizard in digital media, but none of that will matter if you have poor drawings.”Clara Lieu, RISD

Beola Daly, AAS 2014

Step 1drawingAt least half of the portfolio should consist of drawing from direct observation“Do not copy your work from photographs or other sources”Clara Lieu, RISD

“Design projects and computer-generated images are not recommended for inclusion in Computer Art portfolios . . . School of Visual Arts

Step 1designApply basic elements and  principles of design, with an emphasis on two-and three-dimensional design

“The work should demonstrate your abilities in the areas of drawing, composition, color and design.”Delaware College of Art and Design

Step 1colortheoryApply color theory in the creation of successful color compositions

“The work should demonstrate your abilities in the areas of drawing, composition, color and design.”Delaware College of Art and Design

Step 1personalvoiceCreate self-directed/concept-driven works that communicate meaning

Step 1personalvoiceWorks that push beyond assignment parameters

Brian Germain, The Angry Art Teacherhttp://www.bgstudios.com/angry.html

Step 1personalvoiceWork that is fully finished/resolved

Brian Germain, The Angry Art Teacherhttp://www.bgstudios.com/angry.html

Step 1digitalmediaUse digital tools to create, manipulate, edit, and archive art work

Step 1varietysubject matter, media, scale

“[Show] that you have more than one skill set, and can move fluidly from one media into the next. Include drawings, paintings, sculptures, mixed media, digital media, printmaking, or anything else that you’ve had experience with.”Clara Lieu, RISD

Step 1articulateSpeak and write critically about personal and peer artworks

Proficient use of art & design-specific vocabulary

Step 1art historicalcontext

Demonstrate knowledge of art historical and contemporary periods, movements, and styles, and familiarity with art historical terminology

Step 1portfolioAssemble a portfolio of work suitable for academic transfer in digital and hard copy formats.

Step 1learningopportunitiescreate a curriculum designed to meet learning goals and outcomes

Step 1assessstudent learningAre students achieving departmental goals?

Sample Portfolios

http://wccvaprogramreview.wordpress.com/visual-art-seminar-outcomes/sample-student-portfolios/

Step 1Reflect Upon ResultsIdentify patterns amongst low achieving portfolios

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Incomplete portfolios

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Incomplete portfolios Mandatory course portfolio

Emphasis on portfolio pieces embedded in all classes

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Transfer students

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Transfer students Make transfer contingent on portfolio review

Include only work completed while enrolled at Westchester Community College in assessment portfolio

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Students follow curriculum “in reverse”

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Students follow curriculum “in reverse”

Improve academic advisement

Enlist the help of adjuncts

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Academically under-prepared students

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Academically under-prepared students

Freshman Seminar Establish

benchmarks

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Personal voice Skills development

Reflect on results Improve Teaching and Learning

Personal voice Skills development

Establish level 2 proficiencies

Create an advanced projects course

Step 1ChangesNew college-wide “academic core” that aligns with SUNY

Step 1

ChangesNew A.S. degree will have 60 credits

Fewer elective choices

Visual Arts A.S. Degree

1st Semester (16 cr)

2nd Semester (15 cr)

Writing + Research Writing + Literature

Art History 1 Art History 2

Drawing 1 Drawing 2

2D Design 3D Design

Digital Fundamentals Visual Arts Elective

Freshman Seminar

3rd Semester (15 cr)

4th Semester (13 cr)

Math Science + Lab

Beh/Soc Science History

Art History 3, Language, or Other World Culture

Visual Arts Elective

Visual Arts Elective Visual Arts Elective

Visual Arts Junior Seminar

Mandatory Portfolio Review

Step 1ChangesSUNY Seamless transfer

•Drawing 1 + 2

•2D Design

•3D Design

•Art History

Step 1ChangesPossible increase in faculty contact hours

Step 1ChangesMore standardized process of assessment

Step 1Faculty DevelopmentMore faculty development workshops

Step 1Faculty Development•Structuring/assessing the class critique

•How to write an airtight syllabus

Step 1Faculty Development•Please follow the curriculum blog!

http://wccartscurriculum.wordpress.com/