Student Outcomes: Improved by External Assessments?

BackgroundWe evaluated the effect of using a globally recognized professional certification exam as an external assessment of the effectiveness of an engineering course in addition to student perception surveys of teaching effectiveness. Purpose/HypothesisTo identify the impact of knowledge of subject matter independent of the institution and instructor by use of an external professional certification exam at the end of each semester. Design/MethodThe sample of the study consisted of 479 students enrolled in a lean manufacturing course at a large public research university in the central United States from Fall 2016 to Spring 2020.Students were actively encouraged by extra credit points to take the Lean Knowledge Certificate offered by the professional society SME during the final week of each semester. ResultsFindings suggest that students increasingly see the value in seeking professional certifications since there is an upward trend in the number attempting the certification.Additionally, more students are passing, gaining professional certification in the process.They are learning the material irrespective of their feelings about the instructor. ConclusionsWhile establishing academic learning objectives is clearly a requirement, institutions should consider whether the course objectives and associated materials can be aligned with the body of knowledge of industry professional societies certifications to ensure that the knowledge gained in a course can be readily applied to a career in industry.