Post on 19-Dec-2015
An Interactive Teaching Circle: An Interactive Teaching Circle: Measuring Learning Outcomes in a Core Measuring Learning Outcomes in a Core
CurriculumCurriculum
Linda AnstendigLinda AnstendigBarbara PennipedeBarbara Pennipede
Adelia WilliamsAdelia Williams
Association of American Colleges & UniversitiesAssociation of American Colleges & UniversitiesGeneral Education and AssessmentGeneral Education and Assessment
Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, ArizonaMarch 10, 2006March 10, 2006
Main PointsMain Points
• How faculty can become change agents• How faculty can communicate their concerns
about assessment• How faculty can share “Best Practices”• How faculty can become advocates for
assessment among their colleagues
Main PointsMain Points
• How the Core Curriculum Seeks to Support Student Success
• How faculty can communicate the learning outcomes of the Core Curriculum to students
• How high level administrative support can help to change the institutional culture
• How assessment grant results can be used to improve institutional effectiveness
Pace University OverviewPace University Overview• Large urban/suburban university• Size: 14,177 students
10,921 FTE• Major Metro Area: NYC 11.7
million• Carnegie Class:
Doctoral/Research Universities• US News Ranking:
3rd Tier National
• Four campuses and eight sites in NY metropolitan region
• 63% undergraduate 37% graduate/professional• Six Schools/College: Arts and Sciences Business Computer Science/ Information Systems Education Law Nursing
Pace UniversityPace University
Core CurriculumCore Curriculum(60 credits)(60 credits)
I. Foundation Requirements (15-28 Credits)
WRITINGPUBLIC SPEAKINGSECOND LANGUAGE COMPUTINGMATH SCIENCE
II. Areas of Knowledge (Minimum 24 Credits) AREA 1: Civic Engagement and Public Values (One course from any School at Pace)AREA 2: Western Heritage (1-2 courses in 2 different disciplines)AREA 3: World Traditions and Cultures (1-2 courses in 2 different disciplines)AREA 4: Humanistic and Creative Expressions (1-2 courses in 2 different disciplines
AREA 5: Analysis of Human, Social, and Natural Phenomena (1-2 courses in 2 different disciplines
III. Inquiry and Exploration (8-21 Credits): Arts and Science Electives outside of student’s major
Signature Features of Pace Core Signature Features of Pace Core Curriculum Curriculum
• Community-based Learning Experience in a Civic Engagement and Public Values course
e.g. Web-Design for Non-Profit Organizations
• Writing Enhanced Courses
e.g. Beyond the Veil: Middle Eastern Women in Literature and History
• Learning Community Experience
e.g. The Sacred and the Secular in East Asia
Learning Outcomes of the Pace Learning Outcomes of the Pace
Core CurriculumCore Curriculum
• Communication• Quantitative and
Scientific Reasoning• Intellectual Depth and
Breadth• Aesthetic Response• Effective Citizenship• Social Interaction
• Analysis• Problem solving• Global, National and
International Perspectives
• Information Literacy and Research
• Technological Fluency• Valuing
Faculty FellowsFaculty Fellows
• 2005-2006 Assessment Grant
“Measuring Learning Outcomes and Effectiveness of the
Pace Core Curriculum”
• 15 Dyson Arts and Sciences Faculty Attend Workshops
Gather Data
Explore Assessment Strategies
Measuring Learning OutcomesMeasuring Learning Outcomes
• Focus on:
Communications
Analysis
Civic Engagement
• First Task:
Articulate learning objectives and learning outcomes
1010
Faculty Engage Each OtherFaculty Engage Each Other
• Consult with department members• Arrive at consensus on student learning
outcomes• Identify courses associated with
communications, analysis and civic engagement learning outcomes
• Identify assessment strategies
Assessment Techniques IdentifiedAssessment Techniques Identified
• Rubrics• E-portfolios• Classroom assessment techniques (various)
• Rising junior exam
• Reflective journals• Student and faculty surveys• Student and faculty focus groups
Assessment MatrixAssessment Matrix
1 2 3 4 5 6
What
general outcome are you
seeking?
How would you know it
(the outcome) if you saw it? What will
the student know or be able to do?
How will you help
the students learn it? (in class or out of class)
How could
you measure each of
the desired
behaviors listed in
#2?
What are
the assess-
ment findings?
Based onassessment
findings, what
improve-ments
might be made?
Student Reflections on the CoreStudent Reflections on the Core
• Fall 2005 Conference
“Integrating the Student Experience Inside and
Outside the Classroom”
• Student Focus Groups
Student Reflections on the CoreStudent Reflections on the Core
• Students are not familiar with core learning outcomes
• Learning outcomes are rarely stated on syllabus or directly connected to assignments
• When presented with core learning outcomes, seniors and juniors can identify courses where specific outcomes were taught and practiced
What Students Tell UsWhat Students Tell Us
• Core Learning Outcomes should be introduced at First-year Orientation Program
• Professors need to make learning outcomes explicit for students
• Learning Outcomes should be “enforced and reinforced” in every core course and extended into their majors
Measuring Learning Outcomes:Measuring Learning Outcomes:A Work in ProgressA Work in Progress
• Assessment is an evolving process• Many faculty still resist change• “Best Practices” and work of colleagues can
ease the resistance• Compilation of resource manual• Plan to address each of the Core Learning
Outcomes
Assessment Grant Impact on FacultyAssessment Grant Impact on Faculty
• The Teaching Circle engages faculty in cooperative activities
• Facilitates faculty interaction• Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration• Successful faculty participation reduces
“threat” of assessment• Builds trust among faculty regarding
assessment activities• Promotes internally driven improvement
For More Information: For More Information:
Linda AnstendigLinda Anstendiglanstendig@pace.edulanstendig@pace.edu
Barbara PennipedeBarbara Pennipedebpennipede@pace.edubpennipede@pace.edu
Adelia WilliamsAdelia Williamsawilliams@pace.eduawilliams@pace.edu
An Interactive Teaching Circle: An Interactive Teaching Circle: Measuring Learning Outcomes in a Core Measuring Learning Outcomes in a Core
CurriculumCurriculum
Linda AnstendigLinda AnstendigBarbara PennipedeBarbara Pennipede
Adelia WilliamsAdelia Williams
Association of American Colleges & UniversitiesAssociation of American Colleges & UniversitiesGeneral Education and AssessmentGeneral Education and Assessment
Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, ArizonaMarch 10, 2006March 10, 2006