To graduate students who are prepared to enter the media marketplace
Objective
Writing Skills
MCOM 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 MCOM 1332 will be tested to assess development of their writing skills. The initial test will be an Online Grammar-Spelling-Punctuation Module administered at the beginning of the term. The test will be administered again at the close of the semester. Tenure faculty working in conjunction with the SHSU's Instructional Technology Department created the test in 2013.
Criterion
Writing Skills Exam In MCOM 1332
Students will show significant improvement in basic writing skills. At least 80% of students in MCOM 1332 will score 75 or better (out of 100) on the online writing skills exam administered at the end of the semester. Tenured faculty who have taught this class decided that a grade of 75 was an acceptable level of writing skills for this introductory class.
Finding
Results Of Writing Skills Assessment
Eight out of 25 students (32%) passed (75 out of 100) the writing skills exam at the beginning of the semester. Twenty-four out of 25 students (96%) passed the writing skills exam at the end of the semester.
Action
Expanding Assessment Of MCOM 1332
The introduction of the online spelling-grammar-punctuation test was successful in this section of MCOM 1332 and offered valuable assessment data. The test will be introduced into all sections of MCOM 1332 in the Fall of 2014.
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
MCOM graduates will demonstrate a working knowledge of legal concepts and theories (First Amendment, copyright, privacy, libel, etc.) as they apply to emerging legal matters specific to the practice of journalism, radio, television, film and public relations.
Indicator
Assessment By Pre/Post Test - Media Law & Ethics
All students in MCOM 4371 took a Pre/Post Diagnositic Exam. The exam tested students on general principles related to the First Amendment, copyright, privacy and libel with new emphasis on the digital environs.
Criterion
Diagnostic Exam -- Media Law & Ethics
Compared to the Pre-test, students in MCOM 4371 will show significant improvement in their scores on the Post-test and 80% will score 75 or better (out of 100).
Finding
Results Of Diagnostic Exam For Mass Media Law & Ethics
On the Pre-test 7% percent of the students in MCOM 4371 scored 75 or better (out of 100). On the Post-test 90% of the students scored 75 or better (out of 100). Class average score on Pre-Test was 40 (out of 100) and class average score for Post-test was 80 (out of 100). Several questions on the Post-test (regarding Privacy & Privacy in the digital realm) presented problems for some students
Action
Adapting MCOM 4371 Assessment
MCOM will continue to assess this advanced major-specific core class. Additional lectures, assignments, screenings & Blackboard postings on Privacy in the digital environs will be introducted in the Fall version of this class.
Goal
Development Of Video Production Skills
To graduate students who are familiar with basic, professional hands-on video production skills (camera use, editing, framing, visual story-telling).
Objective
Development Of Video Production Skills.
The MCOM Department will graduate students who are proficient with video production equipment and familiar with general, hands-on professional production skills.
Indicator
Assessment By Skill-set -- MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production
Final video projects by students in MCOM 2371 will be assessed by instructor in regards to specific production skills (framing, editing, lighting).
Criterion
Assessment By Skill-set-- MCOM 2371 TV & Film Production
At least 80% of the students -- in one section of MCOM 2371 -- will score 75 or better (out of 100) on assessment of skill-sets. The instructor in this section of MCOM 2371 rated a video project in terms of framing, editing and lighting skills on a sliding scale (from Unacceptable to Professionally Competent). Production faculty decided that this level of performance measure on the skills test would be appropriate.
Finding
Results Of Skills Test In MCOM 2371
100% of students in MCOM 2371 scored 75 or better (out of 100) on the skills test.
Action
Adapting MCOM 2371 Assessment
A newly hired tenure-track faculty member will be assigned to two sections of MCOM 2371 and she will inherit assessment duties. Production faculty will fashion an updated, more demanding measurement of student skill-sets.