OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

SAM 136

Goal
Diversity
Promote and support diversity and provide for equitable opportunities for minorities.

Objective
Diversity Education Objective
Students will become sensitive to and value different cultures and respect diversity.

Indicator
IDEA (Q 16 & 27) Indicator
The course evaluations will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
IDEA Questions 16 & 27
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progess. Q16- Asked students to share ideas and experiences with others whose backgrounds and viewpoints differ from their own. Q27 - Gaining a broader understanding and appreciation of intellectual/cultural activity (music, science, literature, etc.)

Finding
IDEA Questions 16 & 27
Q16 - 4.40 (substantial to exceptional progress) Q27 - 4.03 (substantial progress)

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 7) Indicator
The syllabus will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opporunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 7
All students are presented with information on becoming sensitive to and value different cultures and respect diversity.

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 7
Included on syllabi

Action
Diversity Education
There was improvement over 07-08. The revised syllabus template and newly adopted textbook will give even more opportunities for diversity education to be presented by the instructors and written about by the students.

Goal
Recruitment & Retention
Recruit and retain qualified, motivated students.

Objective
University Resources Objective
Students will be able to locate and utilize university resources (e.g., career services, library, SAM Center, student services, etc.)

Indicator
GPA Indicator
The GPA of students will show that students have developed and applied the skill or topic.

Criterion
GPA
GPA for SAM 136 students will be higher than the beginning freshman GPA.

Finding
GPA
A comparison of GPAs will not be available until after the 20th class day of Fall 2009. This finding will be updated at that time.

Criterion
IDEA Questions 21 & 23
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q21 - Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends). Q 23 - Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions).

Finding
IDEA Questions 21 & 23
Q21 - 3.99 (almost substantial progress) and Q23 - 4.17 (substantial progress)

Indicator
IDEA Q29 And Post-Survey Q1
The course evaluations will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
IDEA Q29 And Post-Survey Q1
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q29 - Learning how to find and use resources for answering questions or solving problems. Q1 - The course improved my time, money and stress management skills.

Finding
IDEA Q29 And Post-Survey Q1
Q29 - 4.00 (substantial progress); Q1 - 4.17 (substantial progress)

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 4) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 4
Locate and utilize university resources (e.g. career services, library, SAM Center, student services, etc).

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 4
Included on the syllabi.

Action
University Resources
Objectives were changed for 2008-2009 to better reflect what was being learned in SAM 136. In 2009-2010, those objectives have been further revised to accurately reflect the class. There was improvement in all areas of this objective. Will also continue to train the SAM 136 instructors in presenting this type of information to the classes.

Objective
SAM 136 Vs. Non-SAM 136 Students Objective
SAM 136 students will be retained at a higher rate than non-SAM 136 students.

Indicator
SAM 136 Retention Rate
The one-year retention rates will show that SAM 136 students are retained at a higher rate than non-SAM 136 students.

Criterion
Retention Rate
SAM 136 will be higher than non-SAM 136.

Finding
Retention Rate
SAM 136 retention rate was 75%.  Non-SAM 136 retention rate was 74.69%


Action
Retention Rate
Overall, the retention rate of the SAM 136 students has not been higher than the non-SAM 136 students. What is not taken into consideration with this objective is that many of the SAM 136 students are more at risk than the non-SAM 136 students. Future objectives will attempt to more accurately measure the retention and persistence of students. The course textbook has also been changed for 2009-2010 in hopes that the information in it better fits the needs of our SAM 136 students.

Objective
Major & Career Exploration Objective
Students will initiate career exploration and major/minor area of study exploration.

Indicator
IDEA (Q24) & Post Survey (Q1) Indicator
The course evaluations will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills

Criterion
IDEA (Q24) & Post Survey (Q1)
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q 24 - Developing specific skills, competencies and points of view needed by professionals in the field most closely related to this course. Q 1 - This course improved my ability to make decisions about my life at college.

Finding
IDEA (Q24) & Post Survey (Q1)
Q24 - 4.04 (substantial progress) and Q1 - 3.83 (moderate to substantial progress)

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 6) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 6
Initiate career exploration and major/minor are of study exploration.

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 6
Included on syllabi.

Action
Major & Career Exploration
Although the scores stayed about the same as last year, improvement is needed. A new textbook has been selected that addresses career and major exploration in every chapter in numerous ways. We also expose students to Academic Coach, but do not have a sufficient way to assess that inventory at this time. Will work with Profiles to find an appropriate assessment of this inventory.

Goal
Student Growth
Promote student's intellectual, social, and leadership growth.

Objective
Study Skills Objective
Students will develop and apply basic study skills (e.g., reading, writing, note taking and test taking).

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 1) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 1
Develop basic study skills (e.g. reading, writing, note taking and test taking)

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 1
Included ion syllabus.

Action
Study Skills
Although we continue to include this as a way to measure success of learning study skills, it really only shows presentation of the material. Next year, with the new textbook, we will also be using the College Success Factors Indicator which assess various aspects of collegiate learning. A pre and post test will be used.

Objective
Critical Thinking Objective
Students will enhance their critical thinking/problem solving skills.

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 2) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 2
All students are presented with information on enhancing critical thinking/problem solving.

Finding
Syllabus Learning Objective 2
Included on syllabi.

Indicator
IDEA (Q 23 & 31) Indicator
The course evaluations will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
IDEA Questions 23 & 31
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q23 - Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions)
Q31 - Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view

Finding
IDEA Questions 23 & 31
Q23 - 4.17 (substantial progress) and Q31 - 4.12 (substantial progress)

Action
Critical Thinking
Although our current assessments show that students do make substantial progess in critical thinking, we will be using a new critical thinking assessment for 2009-1-2010 to assess growth over a semester.

Objective
Oral & Written Communication Skills Objective
Students will develop effective oral and written communication skills.

Indicator
IDEA (Q 28) Indicator
The course evaluations will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
IDEA Question 28
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q 28 - Developing skill in expressing myself orally or in writing.

Finding
IDEA Question 28
Q28 - 4.03 (substantial progress)

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 3) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 3
Develop effective oral and written communication skills.

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 3
Included on Syllabi

Action
Oral & Written Communication Skills
Although the scores are higher than previous years, we continue to strive to better assess oral and written skills of our students. Next year, we have a new textbook, College Success Factors Indicator, and the new guidelines from the Writing Enhanced Course committee to help us better teach and assess these skills.

Objective
Leadership & Civic Engagement Objective
Students will enhance their leadership, service learning, and civic responsibility skills/values.

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 5) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 5
Enhance leadership, service learning, and civic responsibility skills/values.

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 5
Included in syllabi

Indicator
Service Learning Survey (Q 13, 23 &24)
The service learning survey will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
Service Learning Survey Questions 13, 23, & 24
75% of students will respond that they agreed or strongly agreed with these questions. Q 13 - I have a responsibility to serve my community. Q23 - Participating in the community helped me enhance my leadership skills. Q24 - I can make a difference in my community.

Finding
Service Learning Survey Questions 13, 23, & 24
Q13 - 100%
Q23 - 91.7%
Q24 - 91.7%

Action
Service Learning Survey Questions 13, 23, & 24
Service learning results were much higher than previous years, but the sample was much smaller. The sample will be more representative this year coming year as each instructor will insure that the students in their SAM 136 classes will complete the pre and post surveys.

Objective
Life Skills Objective
Students will develop life skills (e.g., health/stress, nutrition, relationships/sex, alcohol/drugs, and money management).

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 8) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 8
Develop life skills (e.g. health/stress, nutrition, relationships/sex, alcohol/drugs, and money management).

Finding
Syllabus Learning Outcome 8
Included on syllabi.

Indicator
Post-Survey (Q1) Indicator
The course evaluations will show that students perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
Post-Survey (Q1)
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q1 - The course improved my time, money and stress management skills.

Finding
Post-Survey (Q1)
Q1 - 3.33 (moderate progress)

Action
Life Skills
Even though this objective is always included in the syllabi, only moderate progress was made this past year. The instructors have already received instruction on helping students recognize the progress that they are meaking. A new textbook with more supplemental materials has also been chosen for next year. This will help address this topic in a more relevant manner for our students.

Objective
Group Dynamics Objective
Students will enhance thier effective group dynamics skills.

Indicator
IDEA (Q 25) Indicator
The course evaluations will show that student perceive they are gaining knowledge and learning skills.

Criterion
IDEA Question 25
The mean score will be at least a 3.50 indicating moderate, substantial, or exceptional progress on these questions. Q25 - Acquiring skills in working with others as a member of a team.

Finding
IDEA Question 25
Q25 - 4.10 (substantial progress)

Indicator
Syllabus (LO 9) Indicator
The syllabi will show that students are presented with information on this topic, given opportunities to practice learned skills, and tested on the topic.

Criterion
Syllabus Learning Outcome 9
Enhance effective group dynamics through course activities.

Finding
Learning Outcome 9
Included on syllabi

Action
Group Dynamics
Instructors will be encouraged to continue to use group work/exercises in class. The new textbook that has been chosen also has numerous group activities.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement We have used the same objectives for SAM 136 since Fall 2004 when SAM 136 first began. It is not conclusive that these objectives truly measure the success of the course. During the summer of 2009, the objectives will be reconsidered and rewritten to better coincide with the new textbook that has been chosen for the class. The textbook includes entrance and exit interviews that have been inputted into electronic format for students to respond to online. The comparison of the results will hopefully provide better assessment information. The College Success Factors Indicator is another instrument that will assess the value-add to the following areas: responsibility vs. control, competition, task precision, expectation, wellness, time management, college involvment, and family involvement. All of these areas significantly affect a student's success in college.