Transcript Slide 1

First Tuesday Series
February 2, 2010
-- SACS -Quality Enhancement Plan


SACS requires that universities develop
a comprehensive plan to enhance
student learning on their campuses.
Committee changed the name from QEP
to EXL early on in the development
process to make EXL part of the culture
of the university and not just a program
required by SACS!!
Two Year Planning Process





Program
Requirements
Assessment
Measures (rubrics,
surveys)
Forms
Policies
Strategic
Implementation Plan
EXL Program Launch



Fall 2006 -- 474
students
Spring 2010 -- 2,205
students
2009-2010 academic
year – 3,927
students
Economic Impact



Middle Tennessee economic impact for
student work completed in schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses,
hospitals, etc. (rate of $8 per hour)
2008 – 2009 – 134,904 hours spent on
community projects by 2,545 students
2008 – 2009 impact -- $1.095 million
Experiential Learning Defined

That learning process that takes place beyond
the traditional classroom and that enhances
the personal and intellectual growth of the
student. Such education can occur in a wide
variety of settings, but it usually takes on a
‘learn-by-doing’ aspect that engages the
student directly in the subject, work or service
involved. (Experiential Education in the College
of Arts and Sciences, Northeastern University,
1997.)
Types of EXL Classes







co-op/internship
study abroad
applied experience
service-learning
creative activity
teacher education
lab course
EXL Prefix Courses



Service Learning
Practicum (2010 or 3010)
Leadership Studies
Practicum (2020 or 3020)
Civic Engagement
Practicum (2030 or 3030)
•
All courses can be set
as 1, 2, or 3 hour
courses
EXL Designation – Requirements





16 to 18 hours of EXL designated classes.
At least one external activity (volunteer project with
community organization/business or scholarly research
project).
MTSU internal service component (leadership role in a
campus sponsored charitable activity, volunteer with a
campus office to assist other students, or be a campus
leader)
Documentation of completion of EXL activities via an EPortfolio (EXL 4000 course)
Participation in EXL Program assessment activities such
as completion of surveys
E-portfolio – EXL 4000

Website used by a student:
• to determine his/her specific career interest
• To enhance his/her resume with specific
•
•
examples showing skills and knowledge
To enhance his/her application materials for
graduate school
As a tool in the interview process to direct
discussion and answer interview questions
Assessment





Program outcomes
Student learning outcomes (rubrics)
Student surveys
Community partner surveys – to be
developed
National Survey on Student Engagement
(NSSE) results
Grants and Awards






Outstanding EXL Faculty - $1,000
Outstanding EXL Student - $500
Outstanding EXL Community Partner – to be
implemented
Outstanding EXL Administrator – to be
implemented
Faculty Grants – up to 1,000 for faculty (begins
this semester with $500 limit)
Student Grants – to begin in fall 2010
Why Should Faculty Participate?






Students become more engaged learners and class is more
active and interesting for faculty.
Faculty members have opportunities to interact with
professionals working in their disciplines.
Faculty members have opportunities to provide service to the
middle Tennessee community that enhances the quality of life
of the community.
Teaching EXL courses may provide a means for faculty
members to re-think their teaching approaches to find ways to
actively engage students in learning.
Faculty members have the opportunity to develop research on
teaching issues.
Monetary awards will be provided to outstanding EXL faculty.
Why Should Faculty Participate?






Small grants are available to students and faculty for supplies for EXL
classes.
Students have the opportunity to have real world experiences that will
help them build their careers and faculty members can be mentors to
students through EXL.
EXL is a way to build interest in a major (offer several courses in the
major and market the degree as an applied degree that will provide
students with experiences to enhance their careers).
Faculty members can use their EXL activities as support for teaching
in the retention, tenure, and promotion processes.
Faculty members can use their EXL activities as support for public
service in the retention, tenure, and promotion processes.
Faculty members may use EXL initiatives as part of external grant
applications and for research.