First-Year Learning Communities at WCU Report
Transcription
First-Year Learning Communities at WCU Report
First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University Faculty Learning Community for Learning Communities 9/21/2011 1 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University REPORT: First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University DATE: Monday, September 21, 2011 TO: Dr. David Belcher 2011 Dr. Beth Lofquist Dr. Carol Burton FROM: The Faculty Learning Community for Learning Communities Glenda Hensley (Chair), First Year Experience Margaret Bruder, English Robert Crow, Coulter Faculty Commons Janina DeHart, Academic Success Program Michael Despeaux, Career Services Kurt Frederick, College of Education and Allied Professions Enrique Gomez, Chemistry and Physics John Habel, Psychology Stephanie Sue Helmers, Residential Living Scott Philyaw, Mountain Heritage Center Nory Prochaska, Mathematics Tutoring Center 2 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Introduction --------------------------------------------------- 4 2. First-Year Learning Communities At WCU ------------ 5 3. Institutional Comparison ------------------------------------- 6 4. Challenges and Strategies ------------------------------------ 7 5. Recommendations for Potential Models ----------------- 8 6. Assessment ------------------------------------------------------- 9 7. Action Timeline ------------------------------------------------- 9 8. Works Cited ------------------------------------------------------ 11 APPENDICES A. History of Learning Communities at WCU ------------ 13 B. Learning Outcomes -------------------------------------------- 15 – – – C. LC Outcomes LC Outcomes Figures QEP Outcomes Institutional Comparison ---------------------------------– – 22 UNCG Site Visit Report Peer Institutions Comparison Chart D. Learning Community Management & Organization - 28 – LC Development Cycle – LC Proposal Form E. Faculty Scholarship --------------------------------------------- 30 F. Lead Living-Learning Communities ---------------------- 31 G. Academic Learning Communities ------------------------- 34 H. WHEE Teach: A CEAP Learning Community --------- 35 I. Assessment ------------------------------------------------------- 36 – 2006 Learning Community Perspectives – FYE Assessment Data Audit Report – FYE Assessment Model Development 3 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION In recent years, many colleges and universities have adopted learning communities as a means of connecting with students, improving student learning, and increasing retention rates. Many faculty and staff at Western Carolina University wished to explore the suitability of Learning Communities at WCU. Feedback from a series of campus-wide meetings indicated a sufficient level of campus interest in Learning Communities to establish a group to formally explore their suitability here. Using the formal structure provided by the Coulter Faculty Commons ‗Faculty Learning Communities‘, the group‘s goal was to better understand Learning Communities through: a literature review, an examination of practices at other institutions, including several within the UNC system, and a review of our historical experience with Learning Communities over the last 15 years. Our group‘s examination of the literature and research at other institutions clearly demonstrates the potential of Learning Communities to enhance the student learning experience and improve retention—an important reason for the increasing adoptions of Learning Communities in higher education (See Appendix C). Similar studies from the 1990s informed WCU‘s initial decisions. Based on the recommendations of the General Education Review Committee (1998) and the Liberal Studies Oversight Committee (2000), WCU became an early adopter of Learning Communities, only to find them less successful than hoped. In 2005, WCU suspended its institutional mandate to implement Learning Communities. Currently, WCU‘s few learning communities are created at the faculty/staff level with minimal institutional support. While we lack formal assessment data, evidence suggests that Learning Community students have achieved positive learning experiences as well as higher retention rates and academic performance. A more complete institutional history is included in Appendix A. Student perceptions of several WCU Learning Communities are included in Appendix I. These facts prompted the group to approach a recommendation grounded in institutional history alongside the current imperatives to strengthen student learning outcomes as defined by the Quality Enhancement Plan. The group committed to a thorough process that would involve strategic planning, research, and creative vision to craft a recommendation, recognizing barriers to success as well as the potential benefits; recognizing that if Learning Communities are to succeed, WCU must work as a community of faculty, staff, and administrators to find sustainable structures to support holistic approaches to student learning. We recommend that WCU reintroduce institutional support for Learning Communities. Research strongly supports the positive role of Learning Communities in enhanced student learning and improved retention—two areas of current concern to our university. 4 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 2. FIRST-YEAR LEARNING COMMUNITIES AT WCU First-year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University have followed several models over the last fifteen years, some comprehensive and some minimal in structure. (See Appendix A for a brief historical summary.) WCU piloted a program of Learning Communities as part of the initial implementation of the Liberal Studies Program that grew out of the General Education Review (ending in 1999). They were intended to implement the Integration of Knowledge Fundamental Principle of General Education and consisted of cohorts of students and instructors in grouped courses who participated in out-of-class interactions aimed at revealing connections between disciplines. Participation in a learning community was a liberal studies program requirement. The implementation of learning communities took two forms, both designed for first-year students: (1) Courses in Common, consisting of two classes with little interaction between faculty, and (2) closely coordinated Learning Communities which typically included one or two liberal studies courses and a section of USI 130 (the University‘s transition course)as the second or third class. All were administratively managed through the office of Academic Affairs. Some Learning Communities included a strong residential component, as students were also housed on the same floor of a residence hall. The Advising Center manually enrolled students into respective Learning Communities; a cumbersome but reliable process. In 2005, issues related to the implementation of the Banner student information system prevented automatically grouping courses for student registration, and, except for exceptions and additional pilots, the decision was made to suspend the mandate for Learning Communities or other forms of grouped courses as Liberal Studies requirements. Despite the absence of a permanent program or institutional charge, some faculty and staff instructors continued to voluntarily collaborate to create, teach and assess learning communities. In 2010 and 2011, a select group of faculty, staff, and administrators initiated an informal pilot to re-examine barriers and opportunities related to implementing Learning Communities here at Western Carolina University. Evidence revealed that some students enrolled in Learning Communities exhibited stronger academic performance as well as significantly higher retention rates. These successes are presumed to be the result of more planning and course integration by faculty, more buy-in by students, and a greater coherence between and connectivity within the courses. In general, the basic student/faculty relationship was enriched as a result of active participation of faculty in the grouped course efforts. The goals and learning outcomes associated with Learning Communities are aligned with Western Carolina University‘s Quality Enhancement Plan, particularly its focus on the integration of information and synthesis of curricular and co-curricular experiences. This group has identified a set of core outcomes to serve as an overarching framework for Learning Communities in general, while acknowledging that each may choose to include additional learning outcomes appropriate to the specific Learning Community design and goals. (See Appendix B for a model of suggested learning outcomes and to review the QEP outcomes.) 5 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 In his Involvement Theory, Alexander Astin (1985) asserts that students who spend more time with faculty outside of their classroom are more likely to complete college and excel. George Kuh (2008), in association with the Association of American Colleges and Universities, defines Learning Communities as a high impact educational practice: The key goals for learning communities are to encourage integration of learning across courses and to involve students with ―big questions‖ that matter beyond the classroom. Students take two or more linked courses as a group and work closely with one another and with their professors. Many learning communities explore a common topic and/or common readings through the lenses of different disciplines. Some deliberately link ―liberal arts‖ and ―professional courses‖; others feature service learning. 3. INSTITUTIONAL COMPARISON Learning Communities have long been utilized by colleges and universities across the country to meet a variety of goals. The most common goals include deepening student learning, creating a sense of connection among ideas, and creating a deeper sense of community (MacGregor, Tinto, & Lindblad, 2001).Moreover, after reviewing 70 assessment studies of learning communities, these scholars found the following results: students fare better academically, socially and personally, (particularly at-risk, underrepresented or students generally performing below a 2.0 average); student learning is deeper, more integrated, and more complex; faculty show significant gains in personal, social and professional development; both faculty and students develop a greater sense of community; and faculty and students gain greater sensitivity to and respect for other points of view, cultures and people. The strategies to implement Learning Communities vary. Often, a single institution will employ a variety of models to meet the needs of different students. The term ‗Learning Community‘ often refers to a set of at least two linked courses that enroll the same students and provides for an integrated curriculum, which may or may not have a residential component. In residence life, groups of students living together in a residence hall may be referred to as a ―living‖ Learning Community. These groups may or may not have a common course linking their in- and out-of-class experiences. These most basic conceptions of Learning Communities then take on a variety of structures according to the needs, support structures, and leadership of a particular institution. Among the most typical varieties of Learning Communities found are: Linked Courses (two classes ―linked‖ under a common theme) Freshman Interest Groups or FIGs (small groups of students pulled out of two larger lecture courses for a common discussion group) Clustered or Federated Courses (students taking three or more courses together in which they are the only members of the class) Coordinated Studies (students taking all their courses together in one block of time) Residential Learning Communities (students enrolled in one or more classes and living together in a residence hall Residential Colleges (students taking multiple courses, typically core curriculum, and living together in a designated residence hall) 6 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Positive outcomes are consistent across different models. Those Learning Communities that integrate strong residential programs, have committed staff and peer mentors, and emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty produce richer learning experiences for both students and faculty. In the summer of 2011, a small delegation from WCU went on a site visit to UNC Greensboro where Learning Communities have been very successful in a variety of formats. There, Chancellor Brady has made the implementation of Learning Communities an institutional imperative for all firstyear students. (For a full report, see Appendix C.) 4. CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES Challenges This group began with an assessment of the real and perceived barriers to success, knowing that it would be irresponsible to recommend any action that did not first seek solutions to existing concerns. A series of campus conversations were conducted to collect and document the institutional memory and perceptions. Historically, the main barriers to the ongoing success of Learning Communities at Western Carolina University have been either technical or resource-based. Our primary challenges include: Before Banner was introduced, it was labor-intensive for advisors to manually enroll students. During and immediately after the implementation of Banner, it was difficult to control registration for combined courses. There has been a perceived conflict of interest between the greater University and individual departments regarding the limited number of spaces allowed for first-year courses and the resulting exclusion of upper-class students or non-participants in specific sections. Faculty are neither compensated nor rewarded in the tenure and promotion process for the extra time and effort required to build combined courses or courses-in-common. Strategies: The current models of Learning Communities at Western Carolina University involve collaborative partnerships among faculty and staff working to do what is in the best interest of student learning and experience. Successful implementation of Learning Communities will in turn support university goals for retention and persistence. Therefore, WCU should consider the following strategies: Early (and ongoing) institutional commitment is required, evident in a multi-year cycle. The process of identifying instructors and other partners must begin as early as a full year prior to offering the course. Department and college support must be secured, and the courses must be built in Banner in time for admissions, academic advising professionals, Orientation, and other offices to promote the experiences and enroll students. (See Appendices D.) Time, training, and resources must be provided for instructors, residential living, and other allies to develop their courses and collaboration. Learning Communities should be centrally managed to ensure continuity and successful outcomes. Credit should be awarded to faculty and staff who participate in Learning Communities (departmental CRDs and other performance evaluations). 7 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 In his landmark 1990 publication, Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professoriate, Ernest Boyer encouraged faculty engagement in meeting the scholarly needs of the university community and in recognizing the importance of academic synthesis and integration in teaching. These activities are elements of a new model for scholarship that recognizes the full range of scholarly activity. Many members of the faculty at WCU would enthusiastically participate in First-Year Learning Communities if the ―Boyer Model,‖ which WCU formally adopted some years ago, played a more central role in acknowledging and rewarding participation in Learning Communities in the tenure/promotion/retention process. (See the statement about scholarship in Western Carolina University‘s Faculty Handbook 2011-12, section 4.04, part C in Appendix E.) In addition to the stated strategies, we call upon both our Faculty Senate‘s Collegial Review Council and our Office of the Provost to encourage academic departments to recognize that work in FirstYear Learning Communities is worthy of the same rewards as traditional research when this work meets the same standards; i.e., the work is methodologically rigorous, makes a significant contribution, receives peer review and is made public. The work of faculty in First-Year Learning Communities is especially congruent with two of the four forms of scholarship within the ―Boyer Model:‖ the scholarship of integration and the scholarship of teaching and learning. According to the WCU Faculty Handbook, the scholarship of integration involves synthesis of information across disciplines, across topics within a discipline, or across time. Textbooks, bibliographies, and book reviews are examples of this type of scholarship. The scholarship of teaching and learning is the systematic study of teaching and learning processes. It differs from scholarly teaching in that it requires a format that will allow public sharing and the opportunity for application and evaluation by others. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POTENTIAL MODELS We recommend an approach that includes various structures and combinations of courses to better reflect the diversity of our university makeup. Conceptually and structurally, Learning Communities may be Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) or may be designed as academic cohorts (ALC) without the living component intentionally integrated. We also recommend a variety of organizational frameworks that include concurrent (cohorts enrolled during the same semester); sequential (one course in fall, followed by one course in the spring); and hybrid (combine a cohort of two fall courses with one spring class) structures. These are but a few of the options that can serve as frameworks: Combine one transition course with intentional residential program designs. This structure is now piloting a redesigned model with the LEAD LLC‘s as a collaborative partnership with the Office for Leadership and Student Involvement, Residential Living, and First Year Experience. (See Appendix F for details.) Combine two academic discipline courses, one being a liberal studies first-year Seminar. This model is currently a small pilot with three cohorts for fall. All three are a sequential structure in which students enrolled in a fall section of a seminar will then enroll in the same English 101 in the spring. (See Appendix G for details.) Combine a transition course taught by a professional staff instructor with an academic discipline course, such as a first-year seminar or other liberal studies course. 8 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Combine two transition courses (each capped at 25) with a larger liberal studies or other academic discipline course, thus alleviating the enrollment concerns for a course that may normally cap at 50. Nest a Learning Community cohort within a larger course. Develop additional residential college models, exemplified at Western Carolina University by the Honors College. Develop frameworks that emphasize relationships with specific majors alongside additional course options, such as transition courses or first-year seminars. (See Appendix H for information about WHEE Teach.) 6. ASSESSMENT Although we have not yet conducted an extensive assessment, evidence from earlier iterations of Learning Communities suggests that our students have achieved positive learning experiences as well as higher retention rates and academic performance. The 2011-12 FY Learning Communities will employ a series of formal and informal data collection strategies that will lead to a formal assessment plan as the pilot expands. In the fall of 2011, the Office of First Year Experiences will implement an assessment plan designed by the FYE Cabinet in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning. We will utilize this assessment framework to ground plans specific to Learning Communities. (Please reference Appendix I for a draft of the FYE plan that is still under development.) 7. ACTION TIMELINE Summer 2011: Complete the report and presentation for early fall Invite the Chancellor and Provost, and Carol Burton to a meeting in September. Share our vision and seek feedback from their perspectives. Fall 2011: Proceed with developing examples and models. Invite instructors/courses for an expansion of the ‗pre-pilot‘ continuation for next fall. Provide support, track progress, and evaluate strategies and outcomes that will advance the goals. Document a literature review or an annotated bibliography as a resource. Implement assessment strategies tied to the course implementation structure. Collect data to inform progress and adjustments indicated. January/February 2012: Build new first-year learning community cohorts with the help of all stakeholders. Spring– 2012 Host a series of campus presentations to provide updates and share the summer retreat proposal. Make plans and arrangements for the summer retreat. Analyze assessment data from fall and draft a formative report brief. 9 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Summer 2012: Use the retreat to launch teams that will collaborate to develop a series of first-year learning communities to be implemented in the fall of 2013. This will provide faculty a full year to plan and from a solid academic and structural foundation. Develop formal assessment strategies that will be used to guide and inform the development and implementation of learning community cohorts and models. Fall 2012 Facilitate building of cohorts and work with teams to provide assistance that we can help to arrange. Continue to include assessment and data collection as an integral element of the process. Spring 2013: Continue to be a resource for the planning teams and to function as a support/task force. Fall 2013: Offer a selection of cohorts and models that evolve from the planning process. Plan to include a wide representation of disciplines and colleges and models in cohort offerings. 10 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 WORKS CITED Astin, A. (1984). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Development, 40(5), 518-529. Boyer, E. (1990). Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Kuh, G. (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they matter. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities. MacGregor, J., Tinto, V., & Lindbald, J. (2001). Assessment of innovative efforts: Lessons from the learning community movement. In L. Suskie (Ed.), Assessment to promote deep learning: Insight from AAHE’s 2000 and 1999 assessment conferences (pp. 41-48). Washington, DC: American Association of Higher Education. Western Carolina University. (2011-12). Faculty Handbook: University Standards for Collegial Review. (Section 4.04, part C, http://www.wcu.edu/10323.asp). Cullowhee, NC: Western Carolina University. Western Carolina University. (2005). Synthesis: A pathway to intentional learning at Western Carolina University (The Quality Enhancement Plan Learning Outcomes, http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/QEP_Outcomes__Metarubrics_27Oct09.pdf ). Cullowhee, NC: Western Carolina University. 11 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDICES A. History of Learning Communities at WCU ------------ 13 B. Learning Outcomes -------------------------------------------- 15 – – – C. LC Outcomes LC Outcomes Figures QEP Outcomes Institutional Comparison ---------------------------------– – 22 UNCG Site Visit Report Peer Institutions Comparison Chart D. Learning Community Management & Organization - 28 – LC Development Cycle – LC Proposal Form E. Faculty Scholarship --------------------------------------------- 30 F. Lead Living-Learning Communities ---------------------- 31 G. Academic Learning Communities ------------------------- 34 H. WHEE Teach: A CEAP Learning Community --------- 35 I. Assessment ------------------------------------------------------- 36 – 2006 Learning Community Perspectives – FYE Assessment Data Audit Report – FYE Assessment Model Development 12 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX A History of Learning Communities at WCU WCU piloted a program of Learning Communities as part of the initial implementation of the Liberal Studies Program that grew out of the General Education Review (ending in 1999). According to the General Education Review Committee, Learning Communities were intended to ―implement the Integration of Knowledge Fundamental Principle of General Education. The goal of participation in a learning community is to discover and appreciate the relatedness of disciplines and knowledge. Learning Communities consist of cohorts of students and instructors in grouped courses who participate in out-of-class interactions aimed at revealing connections between disciplines. Learning communities will be organized in a variety of formats reflecting faculty and student interests, schedules, and resources. Examples of course groupings include: a writing course + another core course + a perspectives course, or an oral communication course + another core course + a perspectives course, or a freshman seminar + a writing course + a perspectives course. Students in majors that begin in the freshman year (Art, Music) will be accommodated by including major courses in the groupings. Participation in a learning community is a general education requirement.‖ The initial attempts to implement learning communities took two forms for first year students: Courses in Common (CC), consisting of two classes with little interaction between faculty, and closely coordinated Learning Communities (LC) of 2-3 classes. The LCs typically included USI 130 as the second or third class. All CCs and LCs were administratively created through the office of Academic Affairs. The Advising Center then manually enrolled students in the LCs. Over a four-year period in the early 2000s, between 6 and 17 genuine LCs were offered each fall, along with varying numbers of the less structured CC groups. Some of these LC groupings were quite successful in terms of faculty commitment, student participation, and student success. In 2005, issues related to the implementation of the Banner student information system prevented grouping courses for student registration, and it was decided to put grouped courses (both LC and CC) aside for the time being as a strategy and as a Liberal Studies requirement. In some years, emphasis was placed on using the groupings as a strategy to support students with lower entering SAT scores. For example, in 2003, the average SAT for the students participating in Learning Communities was 985, compared to 1029 for students not in any kind of grouped courses. Entering GPAs were closer (0.1 lower for LC participants). Even with the lower SAT scores of LC students, retention rates were comparable for the two groups. This suggests that LC participation is somewhat helpful (using SAT as a predictor of persistence, the LC group would be expected to have lower retention). Generally the course groupings with no interdisciplinary or beyond-classroom faculty interaction saw little improvement over non-grouped courses in student satisfaction. Initially, some LCs included a strong residential component as LC students were also housed on the same floor of a residence hall. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some groups found this arrangement to be too much togetherness. Several students indicated that were not interested in social interactions with the LC as they believed they were already spending a lot o time together in 13 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 their classes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a looser residence hall arrangement (same hall, but not same floor), tended to work better. The success of the classes also depended on the inherent leadership in the student groupings. There were cases of LCs that were not successful if the natural social leaders among the students were not strongly academically inclined. In other cases, LCs exhibited stronger academic performance as well as significantly higher retention rates. These seemed to be the result of more planning and course integration by faculty, more buy-in by students, and an overall greater coherence and connectivity within the courses. In general, basic student/faculty relationship was enriched as a result of active participation of faculty in the grouped course efforts. However, the students preferred social interactions with their own age cohort, and efforts to include faculty, even within the residence hall, in social activity met with limited success. 14 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX B First-year Learning Community Learning Outcomes First-Year Students who participate in a Learning Community will know how to: (Knowledge) A. Integrate information from more than one discipline as evidenced in their successful completion of interdisciplinary• assignments and by their responses to selected items on the Beginning College Students Survey of Engagement (BCSSE) and on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). B. Collaborate outside the classroom with other students in their LC to master course material as demonstrated by reflective writings on the Education Briefcase (eBriefcase) and focusgroup interviews. C. Determine community dynamics as evidenced by the development and implementation of agreed upon rules and guidelines. First-Year Students who participate in a Learning Community will be able to: (Skills) D. Explore connections between disciplines, between personal experience and academic studies, between curricular and co-curricular activities as evidenced by eBriefcase artifacts. E. Reconsider their goals and values in relation to course material and those of others in the LC and larger university community as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews. F. Organize learning and social events that enhance members‘ positive experience of their LC as evidenced by the content of student satisfaction surveys and event evaluations. First-Year Students who participate in a Learning Community will consider themselves to be individuals who: (Dispositions/Attitudes) G. Actively participate in their community, creating learning and social events that enhance the experience of all community members as evidenced by student satisfaction surveys and event evaluations. H. Cultivate relationships with others that promote their positive integration into the university community as indicated by their reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews. I. Interact in positive ways with diverse students as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews * Interdisciplinary Education: An educational approach in which students from two or more disciplines collaborate in the learning process with the goal of fostering inter-professional interaction that enhances the practice of each discipline. *Multidisciplinary: Of, relating to, or making use of several disciplines at once: a multidisciplinary approach to teaching (Social Science / Education) Of or relating to the study of one topic, involving several subject disciplines 15 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Learning Community Outcomes: Knowledge - Skills - Disposition Figure 1.1 Knowledge Learning A Integrate information from more than one discipline as evidenced in their successful completion of interdisciplinary assignments. B Apply college-level study strategies and skills (e.g. time management, note taking) to their academic coursework as demonstrated by their responses to selected items on the Beginning College Students Survey of Engagement (BCSSE) and on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) C Collaborate with other students in their LC to master course material as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase about working together outside of class on course assignments (e.g. attending peer-led study groups) and focus-group interviews D Make effective use of university resources to enhance academic success (e.g. books and other print materials in the library, online data bases, events, workshops, etc.) as measured by their GPA, reflective writings on the eBriefcase, and/or focus-group interviews E Determine community dynamics as evidenced by the development and implementation of agreed upon rules and guidelines Leadership Skills F Achieve positive integration into a diverse university community as demonstrated by their responses to selected items on the Beginning College Students Survey of Engagement (BCSSE) and on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), writings on the eBriefcase, and focus-group interviews G Collaborate with other students in their LC to master course material as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase about working together outside of class on course assignments (e.g. attending peer-led study groups) and focus-group interviews. H Make effective use of university resources to enhance academic success (e.g. books and other print materials in the library, online data bases, events, workshops, etc.) as measured by their GPA, reflective writings on the eBriefcase, and/or focusgroup interviews I Organize learning and social events that enhance members’ positive about their LC as evidenced by the content of student surveys Disposition Living J Actively participate in their community, creating learning and social events that enhance the experience of all community members as evidenced by student satisfaction surveys and event evaluations K Cultivate relationships with faculty members and student peers that promote their positive integration into to the university community as indicated by their reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews L Interact in positive ways with diverse students as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews M Explore connections between disciplines, between personal experience and academic studies, between curricular and cocurricular activities as evidenced by eBriefcase artifacts. 16 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Learning Community Outcomes: Knowledge - Skills - Disposition Figure 1.2 Learning Living Leadership Leadership Living 17 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Learning Community Knowledge Objectives Figure 1.3 Learning Community Knowledge Objectives Knowledge A B Leadership Learning Living C D Integrate information from more than one discipline as evidenced in their successful completion of interdisciplinary assignments. Apply college-level study strategies and skills (e.g. time management, note taking) to their academic coursework as demonstrated by their responses to selected items on the Beginning College Students Survey of Engagement (BCSSE) and on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Collaborate with other students in their LC to master course material as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase about working together outside of class on course assignments (e.g. attending peer-led study groups) and focus-group interviews Make effective use of university resources to enhance academic success (e.g. books and other print materials in the library, online data bases, events, workshops, etc.) as measured by their GPA, reflective writings on the eBriefcase, and/or focus-group interviews 18 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Learning Community Skills Objectives Figure 1.4 Learning Community Skills Objectives Skills F Leadership G Learning Living H I Achieve positive integration into a diverse university community as demonstrated by their responses to selected items on the Beginning College Students Survey of Engagement (BCSSE) and on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), writings on the eBriefcase, and focus-group interviews Collaborate with other students in their LC to master course material as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase about working together outside of class on course assignments (e.g. attending peer-led study groups) and focus-group interviews. Make effective use of university resources to enhance academic success (e.g. books and other print materials in the library, online data bases, events, workshops, etc.) as measured by their GPA, reflective writings on the eBriefcase, and/or focusgroup interviews Organize learning and social events that enhance members’ positive about their LC as evidenced by the content of student surveys 19 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Learning Community Disposition Objectives Figure 1.5 Learning Community Disposition Objectives Disposition J Leadership K Learning Living L M Actively participate in their community, creating learning and social events that enhance the experience of all community members as evidenced by student satisfaction surveys and event evaluations Cultivate relationships with faculty members and student peers that promote their positive integration into to the university community as indicated by their reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews Interact in positive ways with diverse students as demonstrated by reflective writings on the eBriefcase and focus-group interviews Explore connections between disciplines, between personal experience and academic studies, between curricular and co-curricular activities as evidenced by eBriefcase artifacts. 20 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Learning Outcomes From: http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/QEP_Outcomes__Metarubrics_27Oct09.pdf Synthesis: A pathway to intentional learning at Western Carolina University Learning Goals and Outcomes The overarching goal is to empower students to integrate knowledge and skills from their academic and co-curricular experiences to become intentional participants in their own learning. To that end, WCU hopes to impact students‘ understanding of self, intellectual flexibility and versatility, and capacity for integrated learning. As a result, WCU expects students to: 1. identify their aptitudes, abilities, and interests and articulate their future goals and aspirations; 2. modify their behaviors and values in response to knowledge and skills gained from their academic and co-curricular experiences; and 3. recognize the synthesis of their university experiences relative to their future education and career plans. To achieve the expected learning goals, WCU has identified a set of core skills and behaviors (outcomes) that are central to a student‘s development as an integrated, intentional learner. These core expectations include the ability to: Integrate information from a variety of contexts – Students will make connections between personal interest and abilities, Liberal Studies, programs of study, general electives, and experiential learning opportunities, and other co-curricular activities; and relate the implications/value of these connections to ‗real world‘ scenarios. Solve complex problems – Students will identify the dimensions of complex issues or problems; analyze and evaluate multiple sources of information/data; apply knowledge and decision-making processes to new questions or issues; and reflect on the implications of their solution/decision. Communicate effectively and responsibly – Students will convey complex information in a variety of formats and contexts; identify intended audience and communicate appropriately and respectfully. Practice civic engagement –Students will identify their roles and responsibilities as engaged citizens by considering the public policies that affect their choices and actions; by recognizing commonalities and interdependence of diverse views/values; and by acting responsibly to positively affect public policy. Clarify and act on purpose and values – Students will examine the values that influence their own decision making processes; take responsibility for their own learning and development in a manner consistent with academic integrity and their own goals and aspirations; intentionally use knowledge gained from learning experiences to make informed judgments about their future plans; and bring those plans into action. 21 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX C UNCG - Learning Communities Site Visit Report May 25, 2011 Tour and Visit Hosts Laura Pipe Learning Community Director John Slopper Executive Director of Undergraduate Studies WCU Representatives Glenda Hensley Director of First Year Experience --Office for Undergraduate Studies Stephanie Sue Helmers Assistant Director of Academic Initiatives -- Residential Living Robert Crow Instructional Developer -- Coulter Faculty Commons General Information All learning communities are first-come, first serve -- except for Warren Ashby. All include an application process to reinforce the intentionality of choices. This has proven to be a positive step and has worked well for the current population served. They have concerns about this process as the university moves towards mandates for Learning Communities for all first-year students. In addition to the upper class models in existence, they also have plans to increase those offerings. By 2014 UNCG's Chancellor has mandated every freshman be enrolled in a Learning Community of 2 or more courses. They have 3 LLC's and 3 residential colleges (Education, Nursing, Social Services). 80% of freshmen (2700) live on campus. They are researching ways to pre-register and lock in place the complete freshman student schedules. Ashby Residential Hall Hall Size and Staffing: Ashby Hall is the 'flagship' LLC of UNCG. Ashby is a 2-year LLC of 120 residents - with intentional self-selection. All student mentors and RA's are selected with input from a resident student committee. Ashby is part of the College of Arts & Sciences. Its staffing includes the following: Director, a live-in staff member who is 1/2 Residential Life and 1/2 Undergraduate Studies. The Director must be qualified to teach in a specific discipline. Five full-time staff members. One full-time administrative support staff member. Orientation leaders: 20 are each assigned 3 new students. Academic Mentors: 4 to 10 live in the hall. RA's (many also lived in the hall during their 1st two years.) Governing & Operations: The hall is jointly managed by staff and students with student committees for most all aspects including new resident admissions, budgets, residential programs, selection of upper-classmen peertutors, and rules and regulations definitions and enforcement. All academic advising is in-house. 22 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Admission criteria: Admission is very selective but not based solely on academics, although the average GPA is 3.8. They consider all aspects (such as interests, academics, personality) of each applicant to determine if they are a good fit for the community. The population tends to be artistic and generational. Referrals, including former residents and teachers, are factored in. Diversity is an issue of which they are conscious. Student applications include a written essay, peer evaluation, and personal piece - which can take unlimited forms (a poem, photo collage, or other creative work) to reflect the student. Applications are reviewed and decided upon by a committee comprised of staff and student residents. Finalists are interviewed before admission. The sense of ownership and the seamless connecting of in and out of class experiences are what make this community work, and work well. Curriculum: The curriculum is a general education core with a thematic/interdisciplinary approach to design/delivery (the focus is American Studies). Their core, though unique to the college, satisfies the university general education core. Residents must enroll in 6 hrs per semester over the two years, thus satisfying 24 hours of the university general education requirements. The remainder of general education requirements are self-selected from an approved list. Transition elements are embedded, due to the intimate nature of the college. Outcomes: Academic performance is consistently positive (84 of 120 earned a minimum of 3.4 last year). PAX Scholars in Guilford Hall This fall Ashby will have a companion hall for Juniors and Seniors. Their interdisciplinary studies focus will be Peace Studies. This will permit Ashby students to continue as a community. Grogan Hall General LLC's are organized by particular themes, majors and professional focus areas: They are representative of general demographics with diversity and socioeconomics. They function with academic units and includes general education. All students enroll in University Studies 105, a 2 credit-hour year-long course. The first semester focus is on research methods and writing; the second semester focus is on a capstone project. Transition elements are embedded within the course. Communities for last year: (9) Business & Entrepreneurship Creativity & performance Global Awareness Making Music: A community of performing musicians Nursing Profession Recreation, Exercise, & Fitness Science & Health Professions Teaching as a profession Social & Human Services 23 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Jefferson A freshman/sophomore LLC with a focus on entrepreneurship and business. Strong College This is a 4-year living community with a co-curricular focus and with learning added. A traditional European model, it includes a Faculty Fellows model of mentorship and is in the Classics Dept. UNCG-TEACH This is a LLC co-sponsored by Education and Undergraduate Studies. Each student will pair 101 in fall with a choices of general education courses. Academic Learning Community Models A back-to-back schedule block allows for greater immersion and flexibility. I provides a terrific vehicle for authentic team-teaching. One structure allows multiple sections of one course (such as a transition) to be paired with one large section of a liberal studies lecture course. This model holds seats for LC students within a larger course, allowing the LC students to still learn together over two courses. Professors have both sets of students in a course at the same time. This model provides an easy buy-in, as it is a 'free' way to pay for a LC. Professional Development For integration and different models of integration, they hosted sessions on leading student groups. The social element is a strong aspect with LLC models and needs reinforcement in the ALC model. They hosted a 2-day retreat with Jillian Klinsy, NESSE director, and Joe Cuseo. (the cost for these two high-profile speakers was 2500.00 and 3000.00, respectively.) Undergraduate Studies sponsored a series of faculty developments sessions and workshops: in-person, online, and via webinars. They also completed the Evergreen development. Faculty who elected to continue their work from the workshop to develop an ALC, were paid a development stipend. Summer Launch Going to a full year model, the program is developing a series of LC's to target at-risk students. Exploratory Studies One credit-hr. mini LLC's with specific focus and targets. Transition Course models: Some transition courses are thematic; they are FFL 100 and FFL 101. They have identified the primary areas needed as: Career services Introduction to University Services Writing & Speaking Centers (UNCG has a Writing Center and a Speaking Center) Financial literacy 24 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Institutional Comparison - UNCG Narrative In the summer of 2011, a small delegation from WCU went on a site visit to UNC Greensboro where Learning Communities have been very successful in a variety of formats. There, Chancellor Brady has made the implementation of Learning Communities an institutional imperative for all firstyear students. UNC G's oldest and perhaps strongest Learning Community is The Warren Ashby Residential College. This two-year residential Learning Community was created in 1970 and serves approximately 120 students. The students take an interdisciplinary core to fulfill their general education requirements, and they live together in a residence hall. UNC Greensboro also offers several Learning Communities through Grogan College. In this option, students explore careers and majors through small interest groups. As a part of the program, they are required to take at least one of a variety of courses related to the academic program and a ―Learning Community Experience‖ course designed for the theme of their community. Students from all the themes live together in Grogan Hall and have a designated upper class Peer Mentor. Outside of these two residential learning communities, the university also has a wide variety of curricular based Learning Communities. These are largely comprised of the Linked Courses model but they also are exploring other models as they seek to meet the Chancellor‘s mandate of having every first-year student enrolled in a Learning Community. A couple of the more interesting models included a scaled-back version of a Coordinated Studies approach where the students will take two courses that meet in one block of time. That one block of time will be co-instructed by two professors from different disciplines but under a common theme. Finally, they are also exploring a modification of the FIG model where they would pull small clusters of students from large lecture courses together into a second smaller course. We will continue to explore other programs at sister institutions in North Carolina. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, for example, has developed Cornerstone Learning Community where students live and take most of their courses in a residence hall with the same small group of students. In UNCW‘s model, students take two UNCW University Studies Courses and a First Year Seminar. The First Year Seminar integrates the material from the two liberal arts courses while also exposing the students to university resources. In addition, Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington offer several living-learning communities that might serve as models for our future growth of Learning Communities. 25 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Peer Institutional Comparison & Research Institution Learning Communities Freshman Seminars Roger Williams University http://www.rwu.edu/ http://www.rwu.edu/studentlife/reside ncelife/universityhousing/livingcomm unities/ http://www.rwu.edu/academics/academi caffairs/general_education/learning_outc omes/ Sonoma State University http://www.sonoma.edu/ http://www.sonoma.edu/sas/reslife/llc.pdf http://www.sonoma.edu/sas/EMT/communit y.shtml http://www.sonoma.edu/sas/reslife/fye/ Clarkson University http://www.clarkson.edu/ http://www.clarkson.edu/orientation/w ise1.html Loyola Marymount University http://admission.lmu.edu/ Queens College http://www.qc.cuny.edu/ http://www.lmu.edu/studentlife/studen thousing/Life_In_The_Halls/Living_L earning_Communities.htm http://www.qc.cuny.edu/academics/speci alprograms/fyi/Pages/default.aspx Radford Univ. VA http://www.radford.edu/ They have themed halls Tennessee Tech, Cookeville http://www.tntech.edu/ http://www.tntech.edu/cas/lc/ Do not require freshman seminar UNC- Greensboro http://www.uncg.edu http://search.uncg.edu/search?q=learning+ community&client=default_frontend&out put=xml_no_dtd&proxystylesheet=default _frontend http://www.uncg.edu/aas/fms/ California State UniversitySan Bernardino http://www.csusb.edu/ Georgia College and State University http://www.gcsu.edu/ http://housing.csusb.edu/llc.html http://advising.csusb.edu/fresem.html http://www.gcsu.edu/rlc/ http://www.gcsu.edu/planning/docs/appe ndix_a.pdf List of all their first year programs University of Southern Maine http://www.usm.maine.edu/ http://usm.maine.edu/reslife/LivingLearning/ California Polytechnic http://www.ge.calpoly.edu http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/fys/ Western Washington University http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/figsreg/ http://www.wwu.edu/firstyear/ http://pandora.cii.wwu.edu/gene d/ University of Illinois at Springfield http://www.uis.edu/generaled ucation/ Lamar University Drake University Saint Cloud University http://www.stcloudstate.edu http://www.uis.edu/colrs/learning/getti ngstarted/onlinecoummunities.html They have an online learning community which I found very interesting. http://dept.lamar.edu/stars/LC/index.ht ml Learning community grouped with major http://www.drake.edu/dc/firstyear/ Do not have transition courses http://www.stcloudstate.edu/fye/learning.a sp Same as learning communities link 26 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Illinois Institute of Technology http://www.iit.edu/ Missouri State University http://www.missouristate.edu/ http://www.iit.edu/housing/choices/pd f/HRS_Room_Reservation_1.27.10.pd f Page 2 http://reslife.missouristate.edu/llcmain .htm Have freshman seminars within specific majors SUNY Binghamton http://www.binghamton.edu/ http://blogs.binghamton.edu/index.php /admissions/articles/2008/04/P21/ http://www2.binghamton.edu/orientation /resources/ Western Kentucky University http://www.wku.edu/ http://www.wku.edu/housing/index.php?o ption=com_content&view=article&id=88 &Itemid=84 Indiana Univ. – SE, New Albany http://www.ius.edu/index.cfm Southeast Missouri State University http://www.semo.edu/ Shenandoah University http://www.rps.indiana.edu/lclist.cfml http://www.su.edu/ Morehead St University http://www.moreheadstate.edu/ smartcatalog/undergraduate2010-11/2534.htm Mercer University Private, “faith based” http://www.mercer.edu/ccps/ general/ SUNY College at Oswego http://www.oswego.edu/ Southeastern Louisiana University U of Michigan, College of Lit, Sciences & Arts http://www.semo.edu/housing/commu nities/index.htm http://www.mercer.edu/fys/files/infor mation/teaching_practices_communiti es.html East Carolina U Calif. State Northridge http://www.csun.edu/ http://www.oswego.edu/academics/oppo rtunities/first_year/first_choice.html http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mlc/overvie w.asp http://www.ii.umich.edu/UMICH/lsa_student s/Home/First%20Year%20Seminars/brochur e/W09%20FYS%20brochure.pdf http://services.valdosta.edu/housing/T ypesofResidentialLearningCommuniti es.aspx http://www.ecu.edu/specialprojects/lea rningcommunities/ http://www.valdosta.edu/oasis/fye.shtml http://housing.csun.edu/llc_main.php http://www.csun.edu/univ100/ Only one choice of seminar SUNY Fredonia http://www.fredonia.edu/ Fort Hayes State Univ. http://www.fhsu.edu/ http://www.ecu.edu/csacad/fyc/freshmanseminar.cfm http://webb.nmu.edu/FirstYearPrograms/ FYE as a special program http://webb.nmu.edu/FirstYearPrograms/Site Sections/AboutUs/UN100.shtml Northern Michigan, Marquette http://www.nmu.edu/ Santa Clara University, CA http://www.scu.edu/ http://www.su.edu/arts_Sciences_files/fa llcoursedescriptions2010.pdf I thought this was a cool idea http://www2.moreheadstate.edu/files/pro jects/genedreform/Advising_Instructions _for_Academic_Year_2010July_2_2010.pdf http://www2.mercer.edu/admissions/fysc hoices.htm They do not have very much of a variety http://www.oswego.edu/academics/op portunities/first_year/first_choice/com munities.html http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/Pu blicInfoOffice/lc.htm http://www.lsa.umich.edu/advisi ng/requirements/requirements Valdosta State U http://www.semo.edu/firstyearsem/ http://www.fredonia.edu/acadadv/lafye/s eminar.asp Cool theme idea http://www.scu.edu/rlc/index-old.cfm http://www.fhsu.edu/reslife/life-oncampus/fyre/ 27 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX D MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION Learning Community Development Cycle 28 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 LEARNING COMMUNITY PROPOSAL FORM 1. Proposed Name of Learning Community: 2. Has this LC been offered in the past? If so, please provide date(s) and attach a syllabus. 3. Maximum number of students who can participate? 4. Participating instructors: Name Dept. Address Phone Email Name Dept. Address Phone Email Name Dept. Address Phone Email 5. Have any of these instructors previously taught in a Learning Community? If so, please give names and dates, if different from #2 above. 6. Who is the primary contact person? 7. Please list the courses that will be included in the Learning Community: 8. Please briefly describe the goals and learning objectives your group will explore and how you will link the courses: Signatures: Instructor Department Head* Date Instructor Department Head* Date Instructor Department Head* Date *Note: Department Head‘s signature indicates support to offer the course(s) indicated above as part of a Learning Community if this proposal is accepted. Submit to [NAME] by [DATE] 29 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX E FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP Western Carolina University‘s Faculty Handbook 2011-12,section 4.04, part C, ―University Standards for Collegial Review‖: http://www.wcu.edu/10323.asp C. University Standards for Collegial Review (from the WCU Faculty Handbook) Scholarship Consistent with its mission and vision as a regionally engaged institution, Western Carolina University defines scholarship broadly through the Boyer Model which includes four categories of scholarship: Scholarship of discovery. Scholarship of this type includes original research that advances knowledge and may involve publishing journal articles, authoring/editing books, or presenting at conferences. This type of scholarship also includes creative activities such as artistic products, performances, musical, or literary works. Scholarship of integration. Scholarship of this type involves synthesis of information across disciplines, across topics within a discipline, or across time. Textbooks, bibliographies, and book reviews are examples of this type of scholarship. Scholarship of application. Sometimes called engagement, the scholarship of application goes beyond the provision of service to those within or outside the University. To be considered scholarship, there must be an application of disciplinary expertise with results that can be shared with and/or evaluated by peers such as technical reports, policy statements, guidebooks, economic impact statements, and/or pamphlets. Scholarship of teaching and learning. Scholarship of this type is the systematic study of teaching and learning processes. It differs from scholarly teaching in that it requires a format that will allow public sharing and the opportunity for application and evaluation by others. Faculty members should demonstrate that they are current and scholarly in their disciplines as reflected in the ways they teach and serve. They are also expected to demonstrate regular activity in one or more of the types of scholarship listed above. The relative emphasis on each type of scholarship will be determined in the context of departmental and university mission and needs. Expectations of scholarly activity should be consistent with peer institutions. Expectations for scholarship will be defined by the departmental faculty in the Collegial Review Document and approved by the department head, dean, and Provost. Departments should recognize and evaluate a wide variety of scholarly activities consistent with the department‘s and the University‘s mission. Scholarly activities should not be rigidly categorized. Many activities and products can be classified as more than one type of scholarship. 30 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX F LEAD LLC's (Living-Learning Communities) Transition Pathways What is a transition course? This course will help you make a seamless and holistic transition to your new community at WCU. • Learn about campus resources, procedures and policies. • Learn to negotiate college life successfully. • Discover opportunities for extra-curricular activities. • Learn to be intentional in your educational and personal goals. • Explore the scope of the world around you and your place in and impact on that world. What is a learning community? Residential programming complements academic and co-curricular learning as you navigate the journey ahead. Please visit to learn more about PEAKS – your first-year community! • Link living and learning designs with purpose and intention. • Engage students via common learning opportunities. • Authenticate new learning experiences via application. • Reframe the conversation from ‘I’ to ‘we’. • Negate many sources of fear and frustration as students transition to college life. LEAD LLCs An intentional pathway to start your climb Select your experience! LEAD Living-Learning Communities will lay a solid foundation to your academic and personal success at Western Carolina University. Each LEAD LLC will: help you make a seamless and holistic transition to college life at WCU, as you are introduced to the academic, procedural, and social elements of your new community; explore the principles of leadership development with your enrollment in LEAD 140, or LEAD 150-158 courses; and integrate residential programming and partnerships that reinforce academic, co-curricular, and thematic learning outcomes. Leadership Themes Connect with other students who share your interests! Integrate classroom learning with residence hall living and cocurricular opportunities. Enrollment in these courses will make you a member of a close-knit community of learners in your LEAD LLC. Enjoy the support of dedicated Resident Assistants and ‘inside” access to faculty and staff partners who will serve as expert guides and mentors. * For first-year students only – these courses also serve as an elective in the Leadership minor. Visit fye.wcu.edu for lots of information to help you along the way! 31 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Buchanan Hall LLCs Band of Brothers LEAD 150: Band of Brothers Examine the principles of leadership through the lens of masculinity. Express emotion in an appropriate manner and explore the bonds that are created between men as you discover how to reach for and utilize your full potential. Help with the Community Table – engage in community service and make a difference! Secrets of Powerful Women Course: LEAD 151 Secrets of Powerful Women: Leading change for a new generation Experience the bonds that are created between women in the new millennium. Discuss what a successful woman looks like; how she acts; and examine the role women play in leadership. Mobilize your community and promote involvement in programs such as “Turn Western Pink” and “Relay for Life.” Walker Hall LLCs Freshman Leadership Institute (FLI) Course: Lead 140: Introduction to Leadership I Learn about yourself and your peers with a focus on topics such as communication, group theory, diversity, team building, technology, individual personalities, conflict management, and many more. Only students that have been accepted into the Freshman Leadership Institute are eligible to enroll in this class and community. Visit leadershipcenter.wcu.edu for more information! Going Green Course: LEAD 152 Going Green: Leadership and environmental responsibility What does it mean to live and advocate for a sustainable lifestyle? Examine how you play an integral role in energy consumption and how it affects the economy, environment and our overall footprint on the Earth. Be a leader in your residence hall community – make your impact! Global Awareness & Citizenship Course: LEAD 153 Global Awareness & Citizenship: Leadership from a global perspective What is the Hero’s Journey? Examine global perspectives and multi-cultural awareness through the lens of leadership as you participate in activities and dialogue that promote personal growth. Partner with international students and programs to explore the world from here in Cullowhee! A Healthier U Course: LEAD 154 A Healthier U: Leadership and wellness Take ownership of your wellness – create a lifestyle of balance, growth, and success. Take a holistic perspective – how do environmental and social and cultural factors impact physical well-being. You can join the student Wellness Council and help plan events such as the PEAKS 5K Night Race or bring Yoga to the residence hall. 32 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Project CARE Course: LEAD 155 Project CARE: African-American leadership Examine diversity and ethical considerations and the principles of leadership through the lens of African-American student populations. How do society groups and individuals measure success as it pertains to people of color and of different cultural and social origins? Partner with other communities to promote a diverse and inclusive community! Cultural Competency and Social Action Course: LEAD 156 Cultural Competency and Social Action: Leadership in diversity & social justice Delve into issues of diversity, civic engagement, globalization, social justice, and personal responsibility. Examine how to deal with complex issues from a position of strength, as you find your own voice and become empowered to lead and serve. Get involved with the Respect Campaign and more! Digital Culture Course: LEAD 157 Digital Culture: Leadership and technology Examine the ways in which digital technology has changed how we create, communicate and interact – how it now informs and influences social interaction, culture, social issues, and identity! Generate innovative ideas for the Catamount community! The Creative Life Course: LEAD 158 The Creative Life: Leadership and the arts What’s your story? Experience the arts at WCU – as a participant and as a witness. Take ownership of your creative power to communicate expressively and effectively within the context of leadership and advocacy. Discover arts the Western Way: investigate, integrate, create! Find the Pathway that works for you! LEAD LLCs are grounded by the WCU Quality Enhancement Plan and a dynamic partnership between the Office of First Year Experience, Office of Leadership and Student Development, and Department of Residential Living. 33 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX G ACADEMIC LEARNING COMMUNITIES: Example LC02 Academic Learning Communities: ALC cohorts provide an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Students enroll in paired courses taught by professors who collaborate on all curriculum and course delivery designs to enhance learning, experience, and successful outcomes. Often a pairing of a transition course and a first-year liberal studies course, such as the first-year seminar, ALC cohorts help students examine, analyze, and make meaning of knowledge and apply understandings. There are many varieties of and ALC, and not all include a transition course. ALC cohorts may follow a parallel or sequential pathway, depending on the course pairing and learning goals. Students may check the catalogue and confer with their advisor each semester to see what is offered. LC02: How Real is Race?: Race as a Psychological and Cultural Concept in Contemporary (post-racial?) America This Learning Community consists of a first-year seminar in Psychology and a Composition 1 course in English. The first-year seminar is an introduction to the basic methods of study and knowledge of human behavior in relation to the social, cultural, and natural environment. The composition course integrates the topics of racism and prejudice in popular culture, with emphasis on film, with discussions of strategies in the writing process. The point of departure is a vision of popular culture as a form of social problem-solving as students learn to read more critically. Our focus is on the psychological and cultural concept of race, which continues to have much influence in contemporary (post-racial?) American society. We not only explore the concept of race from the perspective of psychology, we also draw on resources in anthropology, sociology and sociobiology, and contemporary literature and film in order to construct responses to questions about race. PSY 190 - How Real is Race? The Psychology of Race and Prejudice As a psychological and cultural concept, race continues to have much influence in contemporary (post-racial?) American society. In this seminar we not only explore the concept of race from the perspective of psychology; we also move beyond psychology to take a broader, social-science perspective on race and prejudice. Drawing on a range of theoretical, empirical, and experiential resources in psychology, as well as anthropology and cultural biology, we construct responses to the many questions about race: How real is race? What is biological fact and fiction? What are the roles of culture and ethnicity? How do we learn race and racism? Can racism be unintentional? Is a postracial society possible or even desirable? (Liberal Studies First Year seminar) ENGL 101 – Composition 1 First year composition approaches writing composition as a process and product. The course emphasis is on writing as a tool for reading, thinking, and communicating. This course uses the conceptual frameworks explored in the learning community cohort to integrate the topics of racism and prejudice in popular culture, with an emphasis on film and discussions of strategies in the writing process. . In working out ideas through writing, the goal is for students to recognize the value of their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds in determining who they are, what they think and how they communicate ideas in an academic environment. In that vein, students do a lot of careful reading, deep-level thinking, and creative discussion as they improve their writing skills. (Liberal Studies - C1) 34 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX H WHEE TEACH: A CEAP Learning Community College of Education & Allied Professions / WHEE TEACH Learning Community The College of Education & Allied Professions has teamed up with the student organization WHEE TEACH to create a dynamic first year experience for our students interested in becoming educators. Because we believe in a holistic approach to student engagement, we created a first year experience that we believe will be educational, fun, fulfilling and meaningful for our students. If you choose to be in the College of Education & Allied Professions / WHEE TEACH learning community, here‘s what your first year could look like: A. You can live on a hall together with other education majors, creating a community of sharing, learning and friendship that will enhance your first year and beyond. B. You can take the First Year Seminar, EDPY 190: What is Education For? in the fall semester alongside your roommates and friends on the hall, and then you would take ENGL 101 with a special topic in Education with the same group of friends in the spring. So you would spend an entire academic year thinking, discussing, writing and reading about topics in education with your hall-mates. C. You can join the student organization WHEE TEACH, which is an organization for future teachers that are interested in social, educational and volunteer opportunities that will enhance their own learning about teaching and inform their ideas and expectations about the profession. Co-Curricular EDPY190 - What is Education For? (F) ENGL101 - Special Topic: Education (S) WHEE TEACH WHEE TEACH Academics Residential Scott Hall If you have questions about this exciting new opportunity, please contact Kurt Frederick in the College of Education & Allied Professions at [email protected] or (828) 227-3836. 35 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 APPENDIX I ASSESSMENT Student Perceptions and Data from 2006: Although we have not yet conducted an extensive assessment, evidence suggests that students have achieved positive learning experiences as well as higher retention rates and academic performance. Quotes from some of our students follow: “Not only did I interact with the professors almost like friends the other student in my raft became my roommate for the year.” “My experience in this learning community has been a great one and I believe adventure sports combined with service learning made me understand everything better.‖ “At first I thought that the learning community was going to be a hard class that involved a lot of class work and a lot of homework. But the learning community I’m in has taught me a lot about life and culture at Western... The class trips and relationships I’ve formed with my teachers and my fellow students will last a long time.” “I feel that I have gotten involved and began to put my roots down. The first year interest group has definitely been a help in my first semester at WCU.” “As far as how it will impact my future at Western, I’m not really sure. I know that it has created new friendships for me and that it will impact my future greatly because now I want to stay here because of the friendships formed. At first, I was contemplating transferring but now that I have new friends, I’m not as willing to transfer.” “I have met some of my really close friends through this community and it has made my transfer from Georgia a lot easier.” “...I feel that [the instructors], and the other teachers and faculty involved in the learning community class did a good job with meeting their goals due to the relationships made and the amount of participation in the community. This course helped me find the resources I will need now and later in my college career.” Data from the same Learning Community in 2006 demonstrates the following result that positively compares with the overall first-year class: Retention (Fall to Spring for Fall 2006 1st Year Class): 83.15% Retention (Learning Community Finishers): 93.3% (including W: 87.6%) Average Fall GPA for 1st Year Class: 2.81 Average Fall GPA for Learning Community Finishers: 3.02 36 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 FYE Assessment Data Audit Report WCU Mini Data Audit By David Onder In June of 2011, the First Year Experience (FYE) Cabinet at Western Carolina University (WCU) conducted a mini data audit for the purpose of identifying data relevant to the FYE program. This report describes a subset of the data identified in this audit. This report was written with the assistance of Glenda Hensley, Director of FYE, Steve Dutton, Assistant Director of Leadership, Brian Boyer, Residential Case Manager, and Robert Crow, Coordinator of Instructional Development and Assessment. Western Carolina University is a medium-size four-year public institution located in Cullowhee, NC, USA. The residential campus is situated in a quaint mountain location in the heart of western North Carolina, just a few miles from Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The institution has a student population of 9407, with an undergraduate FTE of 6844 (a breakdown of demographics can be found in Table 1 in the Appendix). Over 80% of our student body are under the age of 25 with an estimated first-generation population of 30% (that is, those students who have at least one parent that has not completed a 4-year degree). Program Description The First Year Experience at WCU is an 18 month window – from the time students are accepted until they become a sophomore. Our office strives to help students find what they need when they need it, whether it be more information about living at WCU, details about academics, cocurricular options, organizations, or how to become involved with the community. The First Year Experience office: • oversees a selection of academics, including the first-year seminar in liberal studies, transition courses, and learning communities; • collaborates with divisions across campus to foster partnerships and a holistic teaching and learning experience and environment; • provides information, resources, and support networks for students, faculty, staff, and families. Goals for the Office of First Year Experience are to: foster opportunities and environments for a successful and holistic college experience for our students; facilitate collaboration and partnerships among faculty and staff that is inclusive of diverse perspectives; focus students towards intentionality – in the classroom and beyond - consistent with the university Quality Enhancement Plan; facilitate integrated and engaged initiatives aimed to enhance students‘ ability to synthesize learning experiences. Supply Side In our initial mini audit, we identified 11 sources of data that are currently being collected by programs that serve first-year students, or by the university which span the four domains of Academic, Co-curricular, Personal Development, and Faculty/Staff. The areas and programs for which data was collected include: 37 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Department or Unit Assessment Type Target Population Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness BCSSE All freshmen Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness NSSE Sample of freshman and seniors, completed in spring Office of Leadership and Student Involvement Pre/post test Cat Camp - freshmen participants (~60) Office of First Year Experience Survey & Syllabus comparative analysis First-Year Seminar Faculty (~35) Office of Undergraduate studies Survey of USI Instructors Students in USI 130 transition courses Advising Center AdvisorTrac Visits Students who visit the Advising Center Career Services Survey - Etiquette Dinner Event attendees - students Career Services Survey - Career Day Event attendees - students & employers Department of Residential Living Student Success Initiative (SSI) First-year students Mathematics Tutoring Center Tutor self-evaluation Tutors who work in the MTC Office of Institutional Planning & Effectiveness Institutional Data Demographic and academic data collected on all students In particular, we would like to look at four of these data sources: 1) BCSSE/NSSE (Academic); 2) SSI (Personal Development); 3) Cat Camp and 3rd assessment (Co-Curricular); and 4) Institutional Data (HS GPA, GPA, Retention, etc.). BCSSE/NSSE WCU participates every three years in the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) and the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which combined provide a picture of our ―first-year students' pre-college characteristics and their engagement during the first year‖ which will help us identify ―areas of correspondence as well as gaps in engagement‖ (BCSSENSSE Combined Report, p. 2). This data is collected by the Office of Institutional Planning and 38 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Effectiveness (OIPE) or by Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research, the developers of NSSE. The results of these surveys are provided to OIPE and include aggregate reports as well as individual responses. Since the BCSSE-NSSE provides, essentially, a pre/post survey, it provides an opportunity to see how experiences in the first year affect the student. In particular, there are numerous questions that look at student connections outside of class - ―Work with classmates outside of class‖, ―Discuss ideas … outside of class‖, ―Work with faculty members on activities other than coursework‖ - or that look at how the college environment has helped a student to grow in intentional ways - ―Have serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity than your own‖, ―Talked with a counselor, teacher, or other staff member about college or career plans‖, ―Had serious conversations with students who are very different from you in terms of relig. beliefs, pol. opinions, or values‖, ―Try to better understand someone else‘s views by imagining how an issue looks from his or her perspective‖, ―Learn something that changes the way you understand an issue or idea‖. The data for these questions should provide some insight as to how, as a whole, the university is assisting first-year students. Student Success Initiative The Student Success Initiative (SSI) is a tool that was implemented at the inception of the Western Carolina PEAKS in the fall of 2007. It has undergone many revisions since first being adopted from the University of South Carolina. The SSI is essentially an intentional meeting that takes place three times each school year, twice in the fall semester, and once in the spring, between each campus Resident Assistant with each of their residents. The goals of the SSI are to: 1. help to build relationships between the RA‘s and their students; 2. identify at-risk students (i.e. struggling in classes, want to transfer, having personal issues, etc.); 3. connect students to appropriate campus resources to ensure their successful transition. At the beginning of each SSI the Resident Assistant asks a series of ―tracking questions.‖ These are targeted questions that are used to be able to quickly identify specific areas where students may be succeeding or struggling. Students are asked to rate on a 1-10 scale (1 being poor and 10 being outstanding) their happiness with WCU, how their relationship with their roommate is going, their stress level, and their overall experience. After each SSI session is conducted, the SSI‘s are collected by Residential Living Staff and we enter the ―tracking questions‖ into a database. This helps us begin to identify students that we feel are in danger of not succeeding, or that may leave WCU. Cat Camp Cat Camp is a program for first-year students emphasizing assistance on the college student transition. The assessment provides a snapshot of the impact that co-curricular involvement has on the participants' transition. Participants received a pre-Cat Camp assessment focusing on their expectations of the program and for their first year. Participants then received a post-test immediately following the program intent on determining the immediate impact of the program on their perception of the upcoming academic year. A second post test was administered approximately 3 months after Cat Camp to determine the impact on the program on their overall transition academically, socially, and involvement. The data is collected before, immediately following, and months after the conclusion of Cat Camp. Further efforts will be made by the Office of Leadership and Student Involvement to track Cat Camp participants throughout their duration at Western Carolina University. An intended outcome of Cat Camp participation is increased peer-to-peer contact among participants through matriculation. 39 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Institutional Data The institutional data that OIPE collects includes admissions data (demographics, High School GPA, High School Rank, SAT/ACT score, etc.), financial aid data, and enrollment data (coursework and grades). These data can be used in connection with the other data collected to look at sub-populations of data. Connections The goals we are using in this document are not the final learning outcomes, which will be defined later this summer. We expect, however, that these four data sources will provide a comprehensive and holistic ―picture‖ aimed as assessing the goals of the First Year Experience program. In particular, these four data sources comprise an assessment of academic engagement and personal development within both academic and co-curricular frameworks. In doing so, a holistic ‗picture‘ of the status of FYE offerings may be assessed, revisioned where inadequacies may exist, and re-tooled where appropriate or necessary. BCSSE/NSSE data point to academic success and engagement in the disciplinary curriculum comprising the FYE program of study. SSI is an ongoing and formative evaluation conducted throughout students‘ first year at the institution and leads to the assessment of students‘ personal and social gains. Cat Camp specifically targets students‘ transition into the context of higher education and allows for adjustments to be made on individual as well as programmatic bases. The fourth measure, institutional/archival research data (GPA, retention rates, and other associated measures), provide both individual and categorical information that compliments the other major data sources and which can be conceptualized as the type of triangulation necessary if a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the FYE program is to conducted. Demand Side Because the first-year experience is defined by and encompasses units across many divisions, program assessment will entail a review of each of these units with regard to how they overlap, intersect, and collaborate to provide a holistic educational experience and one that will insure successful outcomes for students. Thus, our data audit and analysis will seek to integrate narratives, data, assessment instruments, and outcomes from all units that provide services specifically and directly to first year students in order to map FYE assessment from a programmatic level. The FYE Cabinet will begin this process this summer, with the intent to create a unified set of learning goals and outcomes for FYE. From this, the Cabinet will then develop an assessment plan for these goals and outcomes, which will require a more detailed look at the available data sources. For example, one area that is deficient is data that informs Faculty and Staff effects on FYE. After completion of the above mentioned goals and outcomes, and the completion of the assessment plan, it is believed the Cabinet will be in a better position to determine how best to approach this and other data deficiencies. References Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. (2009). BCSSE 2008-NSSE 2009 Combined Report (Generated specifically for WCU). Bloomington, IN: Author. Fact Books. (2011). Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://www.wcu.edu/28504.asp. First Year Experience. (2011). Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://fye.wcu.edu 40 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Appendix UNKNOWN 25 3 42 3020 112 57 3532 0.5% 3.5% 1.1% 0.3% 0.0% 0.6% 40.3% 1.5% 0.8% 47.1% Female 33 223 72 56 0 82 3341 111 53 3971 0.4% 3.0% 1.0% 0.7% 0.0% 1.1% 44.5% 1.5% 0.7% 52.9% Total 72 489 155 81 3 124 6361 223 110 7503 1.0% 6.5% 2.1% 1.1% 0.0% 1.7% 84.8% 3.0% 1.5% 100.0% TOTAL WHITE 83 MULTIRACIAL NON- RESIDENT ALIEN 266 HISPANIC NATIVE HAWAIIAN Male BLACK 39 ASIAN NATIVE AMERICAN Table 1 - Race/Ethnicity, Load, and Gender - Undergraduate Totals may not total 100% due to rounding; Race/Ethnicity definitions based on IPEDS definintions. Data from the Western Carolina University Fact Book. 41 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 FYE Assessment Model Development - 2011 The development of the assessment model began with an on-line course attended by a contingent of the FYE Cabinet and steered by David Onder as our official ‗student.‘ We met weekly to review the assignments, readings, and course discussions. This early phase of research and learning provided the framework that would guide the early stages of our plan. The following goals and learning outcomes were identified by the FYE Cabinet during the summer of 2011 in a series of half-day retreats. The group is now working to complete the data audit referenced in the preceding report by David Onder, and to begin the process of collecting data. The process timeline will be cyclical with three goals assessed each year. As one set is under evaluation to be addressed, the next will be in a data collection phase. Thus, all goals will be assessed every other year. The process of developing goals and outcomes evolved from those areas that are common to all units who provide services to first-year students. Although not every unit will address all outcomes, the combined force of units should. We have taken the stance that as students leave their first-year, second-year programs should have a reliable expectation of student preparation as they continue their college career. It is also expected that once this process is in place, these goals, outcomes, and assessment processes will inform the work and vision of individual units, to create an ongoing relationship and conversation centered on a continuum of improvement. Year 1 Assessment Targets Discover College Students will adapt successfully to new environments and responsibilities, and will discover and utilize the resources available to them which include academic gateways, social networks, and cocurricular and personal development opportunities. Outcome 1: Students will identify the purpose and function of the campus resources that serve as tools for success (i.e., the Core Elements). Outcome 2: Students will engage with the campus community. Be Involved Students will identify their roles and responsibilities as engaged citizens by considering the public policies that affect their choices and actions; by recognizing commonalities and interdependence of diverse views/ values; and by acting responsibly to positively affect public policy. [QEP: Practice civic engagement] Outcome 1: Students will practice the Community Creed. Connect the Dots Students will make connections between personal interest and abilities, general education, programs of study, general electives, experiential learning opportunities, and other co-curricular activities; and relate the implications/value of these connections to ―real world‖ scenarios. [QEP: Integrate information from a variety of contexts] Outcome: Students will identify connections between personal experiences and closely related academic knowledge (i.e., facts, ideas, concepts, experiences). Outcome 2: Students will articulate their own strengths and challenges as learners in dealing with a specific task, performance, event, etc. 42 First-Year Learning Communities at Western Carolina University 2011 Year 2 Assessment Targets Think First Students will identify the dimensions of complex issues or problems; analyze and evaluate multiple sources of information/data; apply knowledge and decision-making processes to new questions or issues; and reflect on the implications of their solution/decision. [QEP: Solving complex problems] Outcome 1: Students will select from available information and resources to solve issues in their collegiate lives and campus communities. Outcome 2: Students will construct a plan to achieve an intended solution. Exchange Ideas Students will convey complex information in a variety of formats and contexts; identify intended audience and communicate appropriately and respectfully. [QEP: Communicate effectively and responsibly] Outcome 1: Students will communicate as appropriate to the context and audience in order to articulate needs or share information. Calibrate Your Compass Students will examine the values that influence their own decision- making processes; take responsibility for their own learning and development in a manner consistent with academic integrity and their own goals and aspirations; intentionally use knowledge gained from learning experiences to make informed judgments about their future plans; and bring those plans into action. [QEP: Clarify and act on purpose and values] Outcome 1: Students will choose learning experiences consistent with their own values & goals. Outcome 2: Students will prioritize values that influence decision making. 43