Demystifying Outcomes Assessment for International Educators: A Practical Approach

For many in international education, assessment can seem daunting and overwhelming, especially given that such efforts need to involve much more than a pre/post survey. This book is a practical guide to learning-outcomes assessment in international education for practitioners who are starting to engage with the process, as well as for those who want to improve the quality and effectiveness of their assessment efforts. Assuming no prior knowledge, the book offers an accessible and clear road map to the application of assessment. Recognizing that a “one size fits all” approach cannot capture the diversity of goals and settings of international education, or the rich variety of programs and organizations involved in delivering it, author Darla Deardorff provides the reader with foundational principles and knowledge to develop appropriate assessment approaches for evaluating and improving student learning outcomes, which are the drivers of higher education internationalizationShe provides the background for assessment, highlights how the characteristics of international education pose unique challenges for assessment, considers the contexts to which assessment may be applied – whether in cross-border or “at home” institutional experiences, such as in curricular, co-curricular or extracurricular settings – and distills a seemingly convoluted process into a manageable approach. From the basics of getting started in assessment to highlighting pitfalls to avoid, this book offers a holistic and practical approach to assessment that moves beyond seeing assessment as a discrete activity to on-going process that is integrated into student learning. There is also a unique chapter for education leaders on assessment essentials from a leadership-perspective. The appendices include worksheets for implementing assessment, creating an assessment team, and getting buy-in from stakeholders. Other appendices include a list of standards adapted to international education outcomes assessment, guidance on assessing intercultural competence, and resources. This book reflects the author’s experience of over a decade of work with international education programs and higher education institutions around the world, and synthesizes what she has learned into an easy-to-use resource for anyone who wants to understand and utilize effective assessment in the field of international education.

Table of Contents:
Foreword 1. Trudy Banta Foreword 2. Hans de Wit Acknowledgements Preface 1. Framing International Education Assessment 2. Thirty Frequently Asked Questions on Assessment in International Practice 3. The Unique Assessment Context of International Education 4. Principles for Effective Assessment in International Education 5. Approaching International Education Assessment Holistically. The Logic Model 6. Getting Started 7. Developing an Assessment Strategy. The Assessment Process 8. Pitfalls to Avoid, Strategies and Lessons Learned 9. The Leadership Role in International Education Assessment 10. The Future of International Education Assessment APPENDICES Appendix A. Handouts and Worksheets Appendix B. Assessing Intercultural Competence as a Learning Outcome of International Education Appendix C. Some Thoughts on Assessing Intercultural Competence Appendix D. Checklist for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Outcomes Assessment in International Education Appendix E. Some Assessment Tools for International Education Contexts Appendix F. International Education Learning Outcomes Examples Appendix G. Selected Assessment Resources for International Educations References Index

About the Author :
Darla K. Deardorff is Executive Director of the Association of International Education Administrators and Affiliated Faculty at Duke University, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), and at Shanghai International Studies University (China). Trudy W. Banta is professor of higher education and vice chancellor for planning and institutional improvement at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She is co-author of Assessment Essentials and Making a Difference, and founding editor of the bi-monthly Assessment Update. Hans de Wit is distinguished fellow and professor emeritus of the practice in international higher education at the Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) at Boston College, USA. During 2015–2020, he was full-time director of CIHE. He is senior fellow of the International Association of Universities (IAU), based at UNESCO. Hans de Wit is founding member (1989) and past president (1993–1994) of the European Association for International Education (EAIE). He is the founding editor of the Journal of Studies in International Education (Association for Studies in International Education/SAGE), and consulting editor of the journal Policy Reviews in Higher Education (SRHE). He is associate chief editor of International Higher Education, and coeditor of the book series Global Perspectives in Higher Education (Brill/Sense). He has (co)written many books and articles on international(ization of) higher education and is actively involved in assessment and consultancy in international education, for organizations such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, UNESCO, the World Bank, and IAU.He has been director of the Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation (CHEI) at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Milan, Italy, and professor of internationalization of higher education at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. In 2005–2006, he was selected as a scholar of the Fulbright New Century

Review :
“Few words strike fear in the hearts of post-secondary teachers more than 'assessment'. Darla K. Deardorff provides relief from this fear by removing the mystery from the process of assessment. She places it within the healthy context of enabling teachers to see if their work is actually accomplishing what they intend for it to accomplish, and, on a broader scale, if the overall mission of the institution is being achieved. Deardorff takes time to define all of the technical terms so that even those who feel like novices in this domain understand the issues, making it an easy read. The second half of the book is comprised entirely of appendices, full of succinct guidelines on how to create and implement an assessment plan along with examples of tools and processes used at various schools.” Reflective Teaching (Wabash Center) “Darla Deardorff is uniquely qualified to contribute an important text on outcomes assessment for international educators. Her introduction to this volume is an essential beginning for readers interested in finding an overview of purpose and content. This book is aimed at international educators who have no background in assessment but understand that they must engage in providing credible evidence of the effectiveness of their work and need an accessible introduction to the application of evaluation techniques in their field. For international educators seeking a primer on outcomes assessment in their field, Darla Deardorff has provided an excellent resource. In future years we can anticipate additional significant contributions to the assessment literature from this competent scholar.” Trudy W. Banta, Professor of Higher Education and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Academic Planning and Evaluation Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis "In the service of international outcomes assessment, this book provides an accessible introduction to the uninitiated, reassurance to the intimidated, and new insights to the accustomed practitioner. An indispensable book for international educators who recognize the value in demonstrating the transformative results of their work to their campus constituencies." Dr. Harvey Charles, President Association of International Education Administrators "Dr. Deardorff's book is an invaluable resource for institutional leaders concerned with assessing global competencies, an increasingly critical area of learning for students in the twenty-first century." Dr. Jenifer Cushman, President-Elect Association of International Education Administrators "Without outcomes assessment is very difficult to make a more compelling case in favor of international education. The new publication authored by Darla Deardorff provides a comprehensive, easy to read, and refreshing view on this important topic. A necessary reading for international education practitioners." Francisco Marmolejo, Tertiary Education Coordinator Education Global Practice, The World Bank “Strategic internationalization has rapidly become one of the most significant trends within higher education. With precision and purpose, Dr. Deardorff provides a rigorous and flexible model to measure, evaluate and showcase key student-based outcomes associated with international education initiatives. With its focus on inputs and approach, her work helps us measure outcomes and impact (what counts in international education), and makes an invaluable contribution to the community.” Clay Hensley, Senior Director International Strategy & Outreach, The College Board “This is a terrific book that will be enormously useful to international education professionals who are involved in the important work of assessing student learning outcomes.” Brian Whalen, CEO Forum on Education Abroad "This will be an enormously useful book for international educators. Thoroughly grounded in the literature and in good practice, it addresses the imperative of assessment in a clear user-friendly and practical manner." Madeleine F. Green, Senior Fellow International Association of Universities and NAFSA: The Association of International Educators "It is certainly time to pay more attention to the impact of internationalization on student learning outcomes in universities and colleges. The practical resources and guidance presented in this book will be welcomed by many working the field." Professor Betty Leask, Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching and Learning La Trobe University, Australia “Internationalization of Higher Education is evolving and is becoming a definite academic field. To develop it further in an academic discipline a book like this, written by one of the most experienced researchers in the field of assessment of higher education internationalization, will guide future studies by practitioners and other researchers. It could synchronize the outcomes of future studies that in turn should influence the development of philosophies that will guide higher education internationalization.” Prof. Nico Jooste Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University "As educational study-abroad programs have become more diverse, it has become more challenging for international educators to ensure quality and assess student learning outcomes. In this important book, Darla Deardorff stresses the importance of well-designed and fully-equipped assessment programs, and she provides critical reference material for us to use as a basis for our assessments." Prof. Shingo Ashizawa Toyo University, Japan "Assessing outcomes and impacts from internationalizing higher education, especially those related to student learning, is essential to demonstrating payoffs from investing scarce time, money and effort in international education. This book is timely in presenting a number of salient issues needing attention in order to produce valid and useful assessment results about international education." Prof. John K. Hudzik Michigan State University "Globalization is changing the way the world works, and colleges and universities around the world must prepare their students to be successful in a global economy. This excellent new publication provides practical and valuable advice on how to measure the impact and outcomes of campus-based international education initiatives." Daniel Obst, Deputy Vice President Institute of International Education (IIE) "With characteristic practical bend, Darla Deadorff reviews current work on assessment of student learning and applies it to intercultural education. The book is of interest to professionals in international education interested in familiarizing themselves with assessment and intercultural learning.” Veronica Boix-Mansilla Harvard University "Deardorff takes what can be a burdensome, albeit necessary process for any education abroad office and breaks it down into practical, practicable chunks. For those who have long wanted a roadmap for outcomes assessment in international education, this book is a must-have resource." Amanda Toler Kelso, Global Education Duke University