Simple and accurate student outcomes assessment: A unified approach using senior computer engineering design experiences

Accurate and simple assessment frameworks are of essential need in technical higher education. Although accurate results in most cases demand complicated setups, good compromises can lead to the desired assessment with simplicity. In this paper, we propose a unified framework for the assessment of student outcomes based on senior design experiences of undergraduate computer engineering students. Senior design experiences provide unique opportunities for students to demonstrate their abilities, skills, and experiences that are attained throughout a bachelor of engineering program. The proposed framework is built upon capstone design projects and senior design courses. The learning outcomes of senior design courses can be carefully designed to map to all student outcomes. Accordingly, senior design courses can lead to accurate assessments at the program level and within a simple setup of senior courses. The proposed framework allows for sound evaluations of student performance and project qualities. The developed framework comprises criteria, indicators, extensive analytic rubrics, and a summative statistical formulation. The framework is supported by evaluative and comparative analyses of course and student outcome assessments within a pilot study.