ABET identified 11outcomes that should be evaluated, ranging from the ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems to the ability to communicate effectively and to function on multidisciplinary teams. As such, we worked closely with ABET to establish meaningful metrics. Unfortunately, we identified 22 potential metrics. No one could keep up with, or review, that many. It helps them to understand the relationship between courses within our curriculum and forces them to think about why they are choosing elective courses and how they fit into their overall program.
Students begin their academic portfolio their freshman year in the introductory lab course.
Students submit the portfolio at mid-term and then meet individually with their instructor to evaluate it. Students are encouraged to take it with them when they are preparing their schedules or seeking advice. It gives advisors a lot more to go on when making recommendations. Substantial classroom and individual instruction time is devoted to explaining the various components of the portfolio. Academic portfolios contain a mission statement and resume, which change over time.