Transcript Program Review - Massachusetts Department of Higher Education

ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY
Program Review
Lori Heymans & Paul Chanley
Spring 2007
Electronic Technology Program
Mission
The ET Program prepares students for careers in the
field of electronic technology and/or pursuit of
further study at four-year institutions.
Aligns with NECC mission by providing an
affordable occupational course of study.
Program graduates earn an Associate Degree in
Science, (ASET).
Electronic Technology Program
Occupations
Electronic/Electrical Engineering Technicians:
Help design, develop, test and manufacture
electronic and electrical equipment.
Solve technical problems in research and
development, manufacturing, sales, construction,
inspection and maintenance.
Median annual earnings, $46K
Electronic Technician:
Install, repair and maintain electrical and electronic
equipment and devices.
Median annual earnings, $40K.
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
Electronic Technology
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Course Sequence and Content:
The course work required achieves an associate
degree.
Critical thinking, problem solving and “hands-on”
lab work are the major focus.
Students build confidence in their skills as they
progress through the program.
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Course Sequence and Content (cont.):
Co-op work experience opportunities are available.
Graduates are well prepared for full-time
employment.
Graduates gain the skills and knowledge to continue
their education.
Graduates are prepared to pursue life-long learning.
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Lab Equipment and Classroom Environment:
Program has state-of-the-art classroom and
laboratory.
Instructors offer multiple avenues to engage the
students in learning.
This high tech and “hands-on” environment is a
differentiator.
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
For example, analyzing an electronic circuit can be
approached through:
1.
2.
3.
4.
White board presentation and problem solving
sessions.
Circuit software simulation by instructor, team or
individual.
Prototype and analyze circuit using rack-mounted
electronic lab equipment.
Instruction, reflection and discussion during power
point presentation.
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Faculty:
Professional, diverse and dynamic group of
instructors who share and collaborate on ideas to
improve the program.
Understand needs and stresses of students.
Teaching experience is vast in years, with a good
mix of ages among the faculty.
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Faculty (Cont):
Stay current in technology and new approaches to
student engagement through workshops and
conferences.
Provide technical and applied mathematic
workshops for high and middle school science,
technology and math teachers.
Publish and present academic papers for American
Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE).
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Articulation Agreements with Local High Schools:
Established articulation agreements between NECC
Electronic Technology Program and ten high
schools in the Greater Merrimack Valley.
Secured 18 credit articulation agreement between
NECC and Whittier Technical High School, (May
2007).
Developed Applied Technical Math articulation
agreement between NECC and Haverhill and
Methuen High Schools, (May 2007).
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Collaborative Partnerships:
Faculty serve on advisory boards:
Merrimack College’s Electrical/Computer Engineering
Northeastern University’s Engineering Technology
Middlesex Community College
Whittier Technical High School
Massachusetts Department of Workforce
Development
MVOTEC
Museum of Science: PowerUp, (July 2004-present)
Museum of Science: ATLAS, (July 2007)
Electronic Technology Program
Strengths
Collaborative Partnerships (cont.):
Massachusetts Department of Education: Summer
Content Institutes, (2006 and 2007)
Northeastern University RET Program
Nanotechnology, (2006)
NECC Electronic Technology Advisory Board
PROGRAM CHALLENGES
Electronic Technology
Electronic Technology Program
Challenges
Student Enrollment:
Lucent Technology was a great recruiting
center.


Robust training program for the workforce,
(1998-2003).
Displaced workers enrolled in ET with the
support of government grants, (2003-2005).
Solid recruiting/marketing plan needs to be
established and implemented to attract
more students.
Electronic Technology Program
Challenges
Student Enrollment (cont.):
Current marketing and recruiting efforts:
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Workshops for local high and middle school teachers
Articulation agreements with local high schools
Visits to local high schools
Technology Day at NECC
Activities need to be expanded and supported by
additional marketing and financial resources.
“Best Practices in Student Recruitment” has been
developed; needs resources behind it.
Electronic Technology Program
Challenges
Faculty:
Several upper courses taught by senior DCE, (retired full-time
faculty).
A plan is necessary to reduce the level of dependency on the
senior DCE faculty.
Infuse new and current instructors into the upper-level courses.
Utilize senior DCE members as mentors, while the senior
members are still teaching at NECC.
Level of urgency high.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Electronic Technology
Electronic Technology Program
Summary
Strong Job Outlook with Good Pay
Solid Course Sequence and Content
State-of-the-Art Classroom and Lab
Equipment
Experienced, Dedicated Faculty
Great Relationships with Collaborative
Partners: Four-Year Institutions, Local High
Schools and Industry
No other Community College in the Greater
Boston area offer what we do in ET
Differentiator for NECC
Electronic Technology Program
Summary
Key Action Items:
Market the program aggressively to increase student
enrollment.
Maintain quality of high-tech, hands-on teaching
through continuous improvement in course content,
partnerships and equipment.
Expand job placement and internship/co-op
assistance for students.
Electronic Technology Program
Summary
How does the Electronic Technology
Program get it all done with two full-time
faculty -- Lori and Paul?
PROGRAM REVIEW
COMMENTS
Program Review
Comments
Program review requires a large amount of work
over time; needs review of faculty reassignment
time.
Current model needs to change. " The Program”
should be the customer. Data should be evaluated
and reports given to the PR project leader.
Workload should be distributed throughout the
college. For example: Where were Enrollment
Services, Financial Aid, Learning Accommodation
inputs to the Review?
Program Review
Comments
The Program Review is a way to reflect more
holistically on program strengths, challenges
and opportunities.
Program Review
Comments
Thank You:
Ellen Wentland
Joanne Ronsivalli
Ken Langer
Ginny Anderson
and Our Department for The Support