by: Alice B. Hambright, Technology Specialist
Fall 2007 came in like a LION! Final preparations were being made for our September 30th through October 2nd NCATE visit. Is were dotted and Ts were crossed, and final touches were added to our LiveText electronic Exhibit Center to make it more user friendly for our NCATE team.
In the midst of all the NCATE excitement, new faculty members received their LiveText accounts and initial LiveText training sessions. School of Education candidates purchased and registered their LiveText accounts. Initial LiveText training sessions were held; new LiveText templates were created as requested; and our Fall 2007 "Who What When" document was revisited and revised.
The "Who What When" document is the cornerstone of the LiveText portion of our Assessment System. This document provides a LOT of information in a small space. It includes the following information:
- a list of all LiveText courses offered that semester
- instructor's name for each course section
- the program responsible for each course (example: Literacy)
- each assessment type (Program or Unit AND Rubric or Form)
- who is responsible for completing each assessment
- the Assessment List (very important!) that contains all LiveText assessments to be administered that semester
- when each assessment is available for completion
- the date the technology specialist will have the collected data aggregated, disaggregated, and compiled into available reports
It looks similar to the following example but is much more comprehensive.
(Click the table above for a larger version.)
At the end of each semester, the four division coordinators submitted their reports and recommendations for program improvement based on the data collected thus far, and report summaries were posted on the School of Education website.
We mailed a LiveText Visitor's Pass to NCATE team members enabling them to access our electronic Exhibit Center prior to the visit. Once they arrived on campus, we presented our Assessment System and explained LiveText's role in compiling and disseminating data. Members of the team examined candidates' actual electronic portfolios. Team members offered numerous positive comments about our implementation and use of LiveText.
LiveText is doing its job and getting better everyday! In fact, the "New" LiveText will be available soon with many additional useful features for both faculty and candidates.
Yes, the fall 2007 semester came in like a lion, but promises to go out like a lamb. With our NCATE visit behind us, we're looking forward to the holidays and to bigger, better, brighter LiveText features to come! I'll keep you posted.
