Research Assessment Methods in Tutorial Education

The purpose of this two-year project (September 1, 2008-August 31, 2010) is to develop and test a method for the formative and summative assessment of tutorial education in a consortium of three liberal arts colleges: Lawrence University; College of Wooster; and Williams College.  Although there is general agreement that tutorials in liberal arts subjects, including the visual and performing arts, support students' habits of mind and abilities to think independently and other self-regulated learning behaviors, the participating colleges lack methods for assessing student work for these outcomes. Faculty and administrative representatives of the colleges will develop a shared assessment model (SAM) in a face-to-face workshop in fall of 2008 and test the model in Winter/Spring 2009.

The research project draws upon papers delivered at the Lawrence University Conference on Tutorial Education March 31-April 1, 2007 (Click to access papers)

Lawrence University and President Jill Beck hosted a two-day conference on tutorial education on Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, 2007. The conference, titled Tutorial Education: History, Pedagogy, and Evolution, examined current practices in tutorial education at Oxford University, Williams College, Lawrence University, College of Wooster, Sarah Lawrence College, and Sewanee, College of the South.

Participants in Research Assessment Methods in Tutorial Education

College of Wooster

• Nancy Grace, Professor of English
• Pamela Pierce, Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences

Lawrence University

• Rob Neilson, Studio Art
• Jerald E. Podair, History

Williams College

• Stefanie Solum, Associate Professor of Art
• Christopher Nugent, Assistant Professor of Chinese

St. John's Annapolis

• Chris Nelson, President (Observer)
• Michael Dink, Dean (Observer)

We Gratefully Acknowledge the Support of:

Lawrence University, PO Box 599, Appleton, WI 54912 (920) 832-7000 Contact Lawrence