OATdb Archive - Sam Houston State University

OATdb Archive

2010 - 2011

Mass Communication BA

Goal

Writing Skills Development

To graduate students who are prepared to enter the media marketplace

Objective

Writing Skills

MCM graduates will demonstrate appropriate writing skills with emphasis given to grammar, structure, organization, clarity, fluency, and style.

Indicator

Assessment By Writing Skills Exam

Students in MCM 132 will be tested to assess development of their writing skills over the course of the semester. The initial test will be an essay administered at the beginning of the term, which will be followed by a second essay at the close of the semester. This procedure will allow instructors to assess improvement in writing skills. Students will be expected to demonstrate improvement in grammar, structure, organization, clarity, fluency, and style. A rubric has been developed to assess change in writing performance.

Criterion

Writing Skills Exam In MCM 132

At least 80% of students in various sections of MCM 132 will show improvement in their writing skills.

Finding

Writing Skills Assessment

Of four sections of MCM 132 that reported results on writing skills exam, only one met projected goals. In this section, 81% of students scored 75 or better (out of a possible 100 points) on the second assignment. In three other sections, projected goals were not reached. Fewer than 80% of students in these three sections scored 75 or better (out of a possible 100 points) on the second assignment.

Action

Continued Assessment Of Writing Skills

Faculty who teach sections of MCM 132 will meet to discuss pedagogical strategies and assessment tactics. The one faculty member who reported reaching projected goals will summarize his pedagogical strategies. Faculty will be urged to conduct a mid-semester review to identify students having problems, and these students will be encouraged to get help from the SHSU Writing Center. The Chair will assign fewer, and more experienced faculty members to teach the various sections of MCM 132.

Goal

Information Processing Development

To graduate students prepared to take professional positions.

Objective

Computer Literacy Skills

MCM graduates will demonstrate computer literacy skills including database manipulation and web-related research techniques.

Indicator

Assessment By Information Analysis Tests

MCM majors will demonstrate professional skills related to use of computer software, data base manipulation techniques and Web-related research techniques in MCM 330 using common criteria developed by the faculty.

Criterion

Class Project In MCM 330

At least 80% of MCM students in various sections of MCM 330 (Information Analysis) will score 75 (out of 100) or better on a class project that requires use of database management, electronic document retrieval and other web-based information-gathering techniques.

Finding

Assessment Of Computer Literacy Skills

Of four sections of MCM 330, three sections met projected goals as assessed by a skills-based/class project. In all three sections, at least 80% of the students scored 75 or better (out of 100 points). In one section of MCM 330, only 75% of the students scored 75 or better (out of 100 points). Collectively, 84% of all students in the four sections of MCM 330 scored 75 or better (out of 100 points).

Action

Assessment Of Computer Literacy Skills

Faculty will test new software programs to update the computer literacy content of MCM 330. Online and in-class versions of MCM 330 will be standardized, and newly hired adjuncts who are assigned to the class will meet with and be mentored by the tenured faculty who have consistently achieved projected goals and high student evaluations.

Goal

Global Media Systems And Information Economies

To graduate students who are familiar with global media systems and information economies

Objective

Knowledge Of Specific Global Concepts & Theories

MCM graduates will demonstrate knowledge and skills to use specific concepts and theories to assess global media systems and information economies.

Indicator

Assessment By Exam -- MCM 493 Global Media

Students in MCM 493 will take an assessment exam that measures their knowledge of concepts and theories used to appraise global media systems and information economies.

Criterion

Assessment Exam -- MCM 493 Global Media

At least 80% of the students will score 75 or better (out of 100) on the Global Media Exit Exam.

Finding

Assessment Of Knowledge Of Global Media

Seventy percent of juniors and seniors who took the test scored 75 or better (out of 100). The projections were not met.

Action

Continued Assessment Of Global Media Concepts

Review of the results on the assessment exam in Global Media suggests that students had difficulty with questions related to the role of international media organizations as they relate to global media systems and information economies. Faculty will consider more specific and detailed presentations of materials related to international media organizations and will consider using in-class "games" (by which students compete to answer topic-specific questions) in the presentation of this material. This pedagogical strategy has been successful in presenting other topic material.

Goal

Knowledge Of Media Law & Ethics

To graduate students who understand the basic concepts of media law and ethics

Objective

Knowledge Of Specific Legal Concepts & Theories

MCM graduates will demonstrate knowledge and skills to use specific concepts and theories to First Amendment, copyright, privacy and libel issues.

Indicator

Assessment By Exit Exam--Media Law & Ethics

Graduating seniors will take an exit exam that measures their knowledge of the First Amendment, copyright, privacy and libel. The exam tests students on specific case law and on general principles related to the First Amendment, copyright, privacy and libel. The test consists of 33 multiple-choice or true false or matching questions. Questions addressed specific precedent cases (Johnson v TX) and more general legal issues (First Amendment and emerging journalistic practice).

Criterion

Exit Exam -- Media Law & Ethics

At least 80% of the graduating seniors will score 75 or better (out of 100) on the Mass Media Law & Ethics Exit Exam.

Finding

Assessment Of Knowledge Of Media Law

Students have demonstrated knowledge of Media Law (First Amendment, Copyright, Privacy and Libel) by scoring at the prescribed achievement levels on the Media Law and Ethics Exit Exam. This exam is administered at the close of the term, and for the past two semesters, in two sections of MCM 471 83% of the students scored 75 or better (out of 100 possible points).

Action

Assessment Of Global Media Concepts

MCM faculty will evaluate student knowledge of media law and address student limitations in the various categories of study. Results on the Exit Exam suggest that more attention should be devoted to Constitutional Law as it applies to First Amendment Issues and more attention must be devoted to Privacy Law. Pedagogical strategies will be adjusted accordingly and the Assessment Instrument will be adjusted accordingly. In lieu of an Exit Exam, faculty will consider a Before/After Test in MCM 471 that will be administered at beginning of the semester and at the end of the semester.

Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement The Mass Communication Department is devoted to developing and maintaining a curriculum that will produce students with professional writing and computer-skill competencies (MCM 132 and MCM 330), with a working knowledge of mass media law and ethics (MCM 471), and with a working knowledge of global media practices (MCM 493).

Skills-based Projects and Exit Exams in various sections of these four courses indicate that generally the MCM Department has achieved its goals.

In regards to knowledge of media law and ethics, students in MCM 471 exhibited acceptable competencies in mass media law and ethics on the Exit Exam. Scores suggest that faculty will need to devote more attention to issues related to Constitutional/First Amendment principles and matters related to Privacy Law. Faculty will consider tweaking the assessment instrument in this class.

In regards to writing skills, on average students in MCM 132 did not exhibit acceptable levels of competence although one section did in fact meet goals. Faculty will 1) adjust pedagogical strategies to emphasize grammatical skills, 2) continue to refer students to the SHSU Writing Center, and 3) continue to standardize course content across sections. The Chair will re-assign faculty to help enact standardization across sections. Addressing this performance-based issue is imperative, in that writing -- in all forms -- is essential for any student considering a professional career in the media industry.

In regards to computer competency skills, students in three sections of MCM 330 achieved the stated goals. One section did not meet stated goals -- in this section only 75% scored at least 75 (out of 100) on skills-based projects). As a group, 84% of students in the various sections of MCM 330 showed significant improvement as measured by skills-based projects.

In regards to knowledge of global media, only 70% of students met the projected competency scores (80% was projected). Faculty will review curriculum and reconsider the assessment instrument. in-class "games" (a successful tactic in presenting other topics in the class) will be employed to present material that test scores suggest is difficult for students to understand (i.e. the role of international media organizations in the evolving global environs).

Generally, the MCM Department is improving in developing and maintaining a curriculum that helps students become better writers, become competent with computer-based skills, and become familiar with mass media law and global media practices. Continued improvement in these areas (establishing new Assessment Objectives, adjusting current Assessment Instruments, adapting Curriculum, etc.) must be coordinated by the new Chair of MCM and the new Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication as MCM integrates into the new college.