An Interactive Teaching Circle: Measuring Learning Outcomes in a Core Curriculum Linda Anstendig...

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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

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

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

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