Transcript ENHANCING ACADEMIC (LEARNING) PRODUCTIVITY
CASE STUDIES IN COURSE REDESIGN Using the Five Models
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Developmental Math at a University
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College Composition at a Community College
FIVE PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESSFUL COURSE REDESIGN
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#1: Redesign the whole course.
#2: Encourage active learning.
#3: Provide students with individualized assistance.
#4: Build in ongoing assessment and prompt (automated) feedback.
#5: Ensure sufficient time on task and monitor student progress.
How would you embody these principles in your assigned model and case?
DEVELOPMENTAL MATH University of Alabama Challenges
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No support for multiple learning styles No flexibility in instructional pace Lack of student success: D/F/W rates as high as 60% Very high percentage of course repeats Negative impact on student retention Significant drain on resources
DEVELOPMENTAL MATH
Redesign Plan
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30-minute group meetings weekly 2.5 hours in lab or elsewhere working independently using interactive software Practice problems and assessments covering defined learning objectives Quizzes taken multiple times with immediate feedback Tests available on demand with specified completion date Instructors and tutors available in lab to provide individualized assistance
DEVELOPMENTAL MATH University of Alabama
DEVELOPMENTAL MATH University of Alabama
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Traditional 22 sections (~35) each term 5 - 6 tenured faculty, 5 - 6 GTAs 3 one-hour lectures per week $122 cost-per-student
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Redesign Single section (1000 in the fall, 500 in the spring) 1 faculty coordinator, graduate assistants & undergraduate peer tutors 2.5 lab hours, 30 minute group work session weekly Computer lab open 70 hours (6 days) a week 24/7 online materials $86 cost-per-student
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SUCCESS RATES
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Fall 1998 Fall 1999
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47.1% 40.6%
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Fall 2000 Fall 2001 Fall 2002 Fall 2003 Fall 2004
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50.2% 60.5% 63.0% 78.9% 76.2%
COLLEGE COMPOSITION Tallahassee Community College Challenges
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Difficulty addressing individual needs of diverse student body with Poor student success rates (<60% annually) Heavy dependence on adjunct faculty leading to “course drift” Considerable class time spent reviewing basic skills with less time to engage in writing Low retention and poor transfer of skills to other disciplines
COLLEGE COMPOSITION Tallahassee Community College
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Students meet in computer lab 1 - 3 times a week Individualized programs of study with more time-on-task SMARTHINKING used for feedback on writing assignments More time for writing activities, conferencing, collaborative activities, critiques and discussion More time to explore ideas and develop critical thinking skills One-on-one and small group conferencing Interactive learning resources available 24*7
COLLEGE COMPOSITION
Tallahassee Community College
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Traditional 3000 students annually in sections of ~30 ~50% lecture ~50% discussion High inconsistency among sections High use of full-time faculty to help increase consistency $252 cost-per-student
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Redesign 3000 students annually in sections of ~30 Taught in computer labs Integrated writing and reading activities Menu of reading and writing activities Discussion board for peer collaboration SMARTHINKING tutors $145 cost-per-student
COLLEGE COMPOSITION Tallahassee Community College Outcomes
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Increased success rates (60.7% in traditional vs. 68.4% in redesign) Increased time on task Writing about literature Increased communication and interaction about writing