Faculty reviewers for the general education curriculum process needed
Each year, thousands of UGA undergraduate students complete courses in the general education curriculum. Through the commitment of instructors like you, these courses prepare our students to become critical thinkers and intentional, lifelong learners. As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining the quality of the general education curriculum for all students, we request that instructors of general education courses consider participating as reviewers for the general education assessment process in January 2021.
- Overview: Participating instructors will assess artifacts (samples of student work) collected from general education courses addressing the Written Communication and Quantitative Reasoning competencies using the respective AAC&U VALUE rubrics. These assessments will offer the institution great insight into how students are performing in general education courses, which in turn will enable discussion on how to maintain and improve the rigor of the general education curriculum. Please note that all collected artifacts have been anonymized and that the results of the assessment will only be disseminated in the aggregate.
- Process and timeline: Participating instructors will indicate their preference for reviewing Written Communication artifacts or Quantitative Reasoning artifacts. A one-hour scoring training will be held in early January (tentative dates: Monday, Jan. 11, Tuesday, Jan. 12). Then, reviewers will have a three-week window during which to score artifacts virtually using the University’s assessment software, Xitracs. At this time, we anticipate each scorer will be assigned approximately 15-20 artifacts that will vary in nature and length.
- Compensation: In an effort to demonstrate our sincere appreciation for your participation, the Office of Instruction will offer $250 to each reviewer in departmental funds that can be used for professional meetings and conferences or supplies needed for the instructor. These funds will be disbursed upon completion of artifact scoring and must be spent by the end of FY21.
To indicate your agreement to participate, please sign up today.
Follow up information regarding the training and artifacts will be sent to all participating instructors by Friday, Dec. 18. Please contact Katie Burr, associate director of assessment, with any questions in the meantime. Thank you in advance for your consideration—your participation in this important work as an instructor and expert in your discipline is greatly appreciated.