Use of Student Portfolios for Outcomes Assessment of aSoftware Engineering Program

摘要

For ABET accreditation of software engineering programs it is necessary to have a process inplace to assess program outcomes that have been specified by the faculty. Monmouth Universitybegan its undergraduate software engineering program in 2000 and had its first graduates fromthat program in May 2004. To assess student achievement of program outcomes the Universityput into place a process for students to build portfolios and to have those portfolios reviewed bythe faculty. The first formal evaluation of the contents of completed portfolios was conducted inspring 2004. This paper describes the process, the results of the review and the actions that havebeen taken as a result of that review. Several program improvements were made, includingchanges to specific course syllabi, sequencing of courses and changes in the curricularrequirements. Methods for assisting students in construction of their portfolios and assistingfaculty in reviewing the portfolios have also been developed. These methods include providingstudents with more precise guidelines for what to include in the portfolio, availability of a sampleportfolio and scoring rubrics for use by the faculty during the formal review. The paperconcludes with an outline of lessons learned and recommendations for other programs that areconsidering the use of portfolios for this purpose.