A total inspection of college student learning outcomes: Capstone courses as summative courses
Journal
Bulletin of Educational Research
Journal Volume
63
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2017-03-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Student learning outcomes have been gradually emphasized in university program evaluation and IEET’s accreditation. Every program is striving to determine the best way to assess student learning outcomes. Capstone courses have been viewed as a typical assessment of learning outcomes. This study investigated if capstone courses are an appropriate method to evaluate student performance, and searched for relevant measures to make capstone courses work. The results showed that capstone courses not only help students with integration, closure, reflection and transition, but also serve as an authentic, effective and efficient way of summative evaluation for student learning outcomes. Moreover, a systematic restructure of university curriculum, including implementation of prior cornerstone and keystone courses, is necessary to make capstone courses work successfully. Since capstone courses are an imported idea, the present article hoped to provoke more discussions on this issue, thus making future implementation of capstone courses more smoothly.
Subjects
Capstone course | Learning outcomes | Summative course | Summative evaluation
Type
journal article