Just as the abilities have evolved over time, so too has the Alverno assessment program. Today, Alverno uses state of the art equipment and technology to enhance the assessment experience. Alverno’s own Diagnostic Digital Portfolio or DDP was the first-of-its-kind, web-based system which enabled each Alverno student — anyplace, anytime — to follow her learning progress throughout her years of study.
The DDP helped the student process the feedback she received from faculty, external assessors and peers. It enabled her to look for patterns in her academic work so she could take more control of her own development and become an autonomous learner. It also provided actual, accessible performance data with which graduates could create an electronic portfolio for potential employers or for graduate schools.
A Title III grant from the U.S Department of Education provided the momentum to design and develop the DDP. It was launched in October 1999. Members of the design team included Kelly Talley, Director of Alverno's Assessment Center; Kathleen O'Brien, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Georgine Loacker, English Professor and head of Alverno's Assessment Council; and Linda Ehley, Associate Professor of Computer Studies. Actual development of the customized computer program was done by consultants, US Web CKS and Deloitte and Touche.
The DDP was replaced by LiveText in Fall 2015. Learn about the introduction of LiveText to the Alverno community by reading this article from the May 26, 2015 issue of Etc. [PDF]
This article on the launch of the DDP appeared in the Spring 2000 issue of Alverno Magazine.
Here is a link to a printable PDF copy of the article.
This article on a National Science Foundation Grant involving the DDP that was awarded to Alverno appeared in the Fall 2004 issue of Alverno Magazine on page 10.
Below is a link to a printable PDF copy of the article.
