OATdb Archive

2010 - 2011

Kinesiology BS (Exercise Science)

Goal
Problem Solving & Reasoning
Problem Solving and Reasoning skills will be emphasized in the Exercise Science program.

Objective
Problem Solving/Reasoning Skills
Exercise Science students will be able to explain the lever system and articulate how it relates to the human body.

Indicator
Problem Solving/Reasoning
A common embedded portion of each KIN 362 section's written exam will require students to explain the lever system and discuss how it relates to the human body. The exam was developed by the faculty.

Criterion
Problem Solving/Reasoning
Students must score at least 70% correct on the lever system common embedded exam.

Finding
Problem Solving/Reasoning
87% of the students scored at least 70% correct on the lever system common embedded exam.  3% of the students scored above the 70% target and 10% of the students scored below the 70% target.

Action
Problem Solving/Reasoning
After a review of the current performance of students on the lever system assignment, 10% of the students did not meet the target. This is similar to last year's percentage of individuals falling below the standard.  However, A greater percentage met the standard while only 3% exceeded the standard as compared to last year. The areas of weaknesses, which remain the same as last year, centered on problem solving/reasoning, reading comprehension and making inferences. The program faculty, perplexed by the results of last year and this year, still believe that more focus and review should be placed on these skills. The Kinesiology 362 course still appears to be the best class for students to demonstrate an increase in these skills with additional assignments/ projects, developed by program faculty on the lever system designed to develop and improve critical thinking, comprehension and inference.

Goal
Content Knowledge
The Kinesiology BS Exercise Science Program will emphasize factual knowledge and competencies that are needed by professional in the field.

Objective
Content Knowledge
Students in the Exercise Science program will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level positions in the field.

Indicator
Content Knowledge
A common embedded portion of each KIN 362 section's written exam, developed by the faculty, will require students to identify the common articulations of the body and their locations.

Criterion
Content Knowledge
Students must score at least 70% correct on the articulation of the body common embedded exam.

Finding
Content Knowledge
88% of the students met the 70% target on the articulation of the body common embedded exam.  5% of the students scored above the target and 7% of the students scored below the 70% target.

Action
Content Knowledge
After a review of the current performance of students on the content knowledge assignment, the program faculty have decided that two additional assignments will be added to address the areas of weaknesses identified from student work, which, again, are facts/details and application of content knowledge skills. Kinesiology core courses will include more common embedded assignments focused on content knowledge demonstration. Although the faculty are concerned about 7% failing to meet the target, they are pleased that the percentage is down from last year's 10%. 

Goal
Communication Skills
Oral communication skills will be emphasized in the Kinesiology BS Exercise Science Program.

Objective
Communication Skills
The students will be able to make an oral presentation to the class on biomechanical aspects of movement patterns.

Indicator
Communication Skills
An Individual Presentation rubric developed by the faculty will be used to measure student success of this objective.

Criterion
Communication Skills
Students must correctly address 4/5 biomechanical aspects of movement patterns in the oral individual presentation.

Finding
Communication Skills
85% of the students met the target of 4/5 correct on the biomechanical aspects of movement patterns in the oral presentation. 3% exceeded the target and 12% did not meet the target. This is an increase in number meeting or exceeding the target; yet there is larger percentage of students failing to meet the target score.

Action
Communications Skills
After a review of the current performance of students on the communication skills assignment in KIN 362, the program faculty have decided that more focus and emphasis should be placed on basic writing and presentation skills. Kinesiology core courses will include additional oral and written assignments to address these weaknesses.  


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement
After reviewing all of the findings, it was apparent that not all students are achieving the expected outcomes in the Kinesiology BS Exercise Science program. In an effort to address these short-falls the program faculty have decided that some students require more opportunities to practice, demonstrate, and apply competencies in the areas of problem solving, content knowledge, and communication skills. Changes in the curriculum will include increasing the number of required assignments/projects/activities and exams which would address the weaknesses that emerged from student work in the goal areas noted above. Therefore, the Kinesiology Exercise Science program courses will have at least two faculty-developed exams, related to problem solving, content knowledge, and communications skills.