Evaluating Learning

Research and Writing Projects | National Evaluation | Grading | Assessment and Evaluation

Research and Writing Projects

Students are asked to write and submit one term-long assignment. This may be either a short research paper on a forensic technique of their choosing or a case study portfolio. The paper should be in an acceptable scientific format and cite appropriate references. Examples are provided. This paper allows the student an opportunity to further investigate a topic covered in class or research forensic content that was not addressed by the course while, at the same time, giving them experience with scientific literature (including electronic research tools such as the General Science Index and analysis of science journal articles). For a case study portfolio, students are asked to compile a collection 4-6 related cases. For instance, the cases may be related in that they are all cases where innocent people have been convicted of a crime, they all deal with serial killers, or they all deal with the identification of skeletal remains. The students summarize each case in about one typed page. The summary must include a description of the forensic science that applies to the case. The students then summarize any observed trends in the cases in one final page.

National Evaluation

As part of SOU's evaluation of this course, our class will fill out a brief evaluation of the course online. Please go to the following website to complete the short questionnaire at or near the end of the quarter:

www.wcer.wisc.edu/salgains/student/default.asp

The course ID number is 714708853 and the password is scienceisfun.

Please bring me a printout of the screen obtained upon completion of this short questionnaire with your name written plainly on the front. Remember, the forensics gods are watching and will smile on you in the future for your effort. Your online answers are completely confidential.
Thank you!!

Grading

Grades will be based on the total number of points accumulated during the term and will be determined as follows:
100%-90%,A; 89%-80%,B; 79%-70%,C; 69%-60%,D.

There will be two 100-point tests and a 100-point comprehensive final. The final exam score, if it is higher, will replace your lowest test score. In the event a test is missed, your final exam score will doubled.

You will also be responsible for one term-long case study assignment, which will be turned in as a short portfolio of 4 to 6 cases no later than Friday, June 4. For this portfolio, each student will decide on a theme that will be consistent in all of the cases you choose (i.e., a specific serial killer, identification by facial reconstruction, or people who have been wrongly convicted). The purpose of this assignment is to compare and contrast a sample of similar crimes or scenarios and summarize trends observed in a short critical essay (4-8 typed pages). Each case should first be presented as a one-page (or so) summary highlighting specific instances where forensic tools have been instrumental in solving (or attempting to solve) the case. Further details will be given in class. See me anytime in my office for clarification. The only restriction to this assignment is a student cannot detail a case that is one we have covered in class. See me (or the class bulletin board) make sure we will not be using any of your potential cases in lecture this term. The portfolio is worth 100 points.

Assessment and Evaluation

Student assessment in the Forensic Investigation course is based on two mid-term exams and one comprehensive final examination. Students are also graded on their research paper or case study portfolio. Currently, there is no verbal communication aspect to the course. Those students that have the opportunity to enroll in the optional laboratory are also assessed based on their written lab reports (including their final report where they make a written case for the guilt of their suspect). These students are also evaluated on the presentation of their forensic findings. These presentations are given before the class with all other members serving as the jury for our mock crime scenarios.

The effectiveness of the course and instructor are gauged using Southern Oregon University's evaluation tool, as well as, the online SALG tool developed for just such a purpose (to gauge how students feel they have progressed in certain areas).