Embedded Assessment as a Method to Improve Learning in Higher Education.

Student learner outcomes assessment has become a component of the accountability process for higher education as academic programs search for methods to demonstrate their effectiveness at improving student learning.  Several direct and indirect outcomes assessment methods have been developed measure the impact of a program on student learning however these are often generated outside the actual learning environment.  One way to measure a student’s mastery of a skill or knowledge set is determine their performance during the learning process.  This can be accomplished through embedded assessment methods which utilize artifacts generated by students in the learning context to measure the effectiveness of a program to prepare students to meet predetermined learning objectives.  Embedded assessment should be considered as one component of a complete programmatic assessment package.