Professional Development within Departments



Initiative TitleProfessional Development within Departments
Submitted in Previous Year(s)No
Critical Information, Notes, Justification, Rationale

Overview: each department has topics about which dedicated time and professional development efforts would be beneficial. Many, if not all, would benefit from professional development time and resource to improve assessment techniques and sharing of results.

Paraphrased from departmental plans:

Global Studies = intra-departmental workshops on assessment methods

English = transitioning to Integrated Reading and Writing + transitioning to more Learning Communities + general assessment workshop

Education = coordinating JRTEP and SLO/ PLO mapping and assessment

CRJ = writing across the curriculum and Learning Community development

Behavioral Science = cohort development techniques and certificate development + participation in Learning Communities

Brought over from subordinate departments:

Explore social media possibilities.  In-house video production.  Visual Communications students' contributions.  Colt Rock radio station.

The college is developing all online AA and AS degrees. To successfully complete these degrees, DL courses from the Behavioral Sciences Department are necessary.

We have had success with some of our CRJ 101 students attending the English lab for an information seminar which includes a library session. Anne Sandor and Andrew Heinz have conducted these sessions and they have provided our students with support materials for easy reference. This semester I have noticed significant improvement in the student papers and I would like to expand this program to all of our CRJ 101 students. This may require additional resources for the English Lab and/or the library as we offer CRJ 101 in Days and evenings 4 times per week at both Newburgh and Middletown

In alignment with our campus assessment initiatives, we will complete the mapping of the assessment of student learning outcomes for 5 of our 14  department courses.

Within the list of core courses and within each of the concentration areas in the JRTEP programs we have identified at least one course that has been called into question, either because it is difficult for us to run or because of how it transfers into SUNY New Paltz.  It is crucial that we work with representatives from SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Orange department chairs to reexamine the problematic course options in JRTEP  course sequences with an eye toward optimal transferability for our students.

Without analysis of student success/completion of this offering in conjunction with data regarding their success in ENG 102, it will not be advisable to continue this pilot.

Research indicates that Learning Communities connected to programs and credit-bearing courses increase teh retention and success of students placed in developmental courses

Faculty who will be teaching this course will  need an introduction to its SLOs and best pedagogical practices to deliver its curriculum to students with a second level developmental reading and writing placement

Together, the introduction of a New Registered Track in History, the development of new Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), and the ongoing redevelopment of our course-level Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), have encouraged historians in the Department of Global Studies to re-examine what and how we teach.  Specifically, as a Department, we have agreed to focus greater attention to preparing students to comprehend, interpret, analyze and/or evaluate both a range of historical interpretations and primary sources. 

To do this, full and part-time faculty must be properly prepared; that is, they must be provided the requisite knowledge of 1) historiography, 2) the nature and teaching of primary sources, and 3) techniques for assessing student success in these areas.   

We propose the creation of a six-hour Master Class on “Teaching Historiography and Primary Documents.” Designed as an interactive seminar, this Master class would provide faculty (full and part-time) the opportunity to:

  1. Gain awareness of the new PLOs, SLOs, and assessment initiatives.

  2. Review and consider the development of historical interpretation from the age of Leopold von Ranke to the Postmodern turn. 

  3. Understand the variety of primary sources available to the undergraduate instructor.

  4. Explore the means for teaching students “how to do history.”

  5. Consider various mechanisms for assessing the interpretation and comprehension of both secondary and primary source materials.

Consequences of this initiative not being funded

Opportunities for outreach will not be realized.

Will limit the development of all DL degrees

Faculty would enter first rounds of New Registered Track Assessment inadequately prepared to teach and measure student learning and success.

Department Goals
Programs
LocationsMain Campus, Newburgh Campus
Estimated Completion Date
Will this initiative span multiple budget years?Yes
ImportanceMedium
Funding SourceOperating Budget
Created01/04/2017 2:22 pm
Updated01/05/2017 2:41 pm

Institutional Goals

Goal How will the initiative support this institutional goal?
This initiative will serve both the department and college in building and maintaining a faculty devoted to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.
This initiative will enable the department and its members to more readily and accurately assess learning outcomes pertinent to History Courses, SLOs, and Learning Outcomes in the new History Registered Track.
Provide students with support to improve their research and writing abilities.

Action Steps

Action Step Responsible Party Order
Conversation with knowledgable parties. Departmental. 1
At the end of the Spring 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters, results of student progress will be studied. Department chair, Ass't chair, 2
Promote and encourage the formation of these additional Learning Communities across College departments English Department, AVP Liberal Arts, 3
Plan and deliver a department sponsored training session in collaboration with the CYL to introduce the goals and their implementation in this new course offereing English Department team; CTL 4
Initial Departmental Meeting to Discuss and Explore SLOs and Assessment Chair, Assistant Chair, Department 5
Upon Successful Funding, Design and Implement Training Program Chair and Assistant Chair 6

Expected Outcomes

Outcome Order
Enhanced visibility. 1
Depending on the outcome of our study of results, this pilot will either be expanded or discontinued 2
An increase in students' development of skills and academic retention and success 3
An increase in faculty members who can teach sections of this course 4
Faculty--especially Full and Part-Time Historians--will be better able to deliver and assess critical parts of the our new Registered Tracks 5

Assessment Methods

Method Description Other Method Responsible Party
Other Enter other assessment method Observation of higher media profile. Departmental.
Document Analysis Documents can be analyzed to provide information and meaning around an assessment topic Chair, Ass't. Chair
Institutional Data Review both program and student data that is collected at the institutional level. Data can include program enrollment, retention, transfer, student GPA, etc. Institutional Planning, Assesssment, and Research; English Department, other participating departments
Rubrics/ Scoring Guides Rubrics/scoring guides outline identified criteria for successfully completing an activity, assignment, etc. and establish levels for meeting the criteria. They can be used to score everything from essays, engagement, to performances. CTL, English department team
Observations Information can be collected while observing “events” (including, sponsored activities, student {office staff} sessions, etc.) in the natural setting. Observation can provide information on student behaviors and attitudes. Chair, Assistant Chair

Resources

INITIAL YEAR COST: $4,600.00
RECURRING COST: $2,850.00

Equipment

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
TOTAL: $0.00 / $0.00

Facility

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
TOTAL: $0.00 / $0.00

Supply

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
TOTAL: $0.00 / $0.00

Staffing

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
Additional adjunct faculty qualified to teach the College Success Seminar and Career Planning (cost per adjunct for 3 credits) $2850.00 / 2850.00 (1st year)
  • Administration and Finance, VP Office
  • Liberal Arts, AVP Office
  • Human Resources, AVP Office
TOTAL: $2,850.00 / $2,850.00

Training

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
Day-long Seminar on Historiography, Sources, and Assesment $1000.00
  • Academic Affairs and Student Services, Provost, VP Office
Stipends for 2-3 department faculty who plan and implement this training $750.00
  • Center for Teaching and Learning
TOTAL: $1,750.00 / $0.00

Marketing

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
TOTAL: $0.00 / $0.00

Other

Need Cost (Initial/Recurring) Supporting Departments
TOTAL: $0.00 / $0.00

Prioritization

This initiative is not ready for prioritization.

  • Please enter How the initiative will support the chosen goals

Assessment

DateDepartment NameStatusCost to DateFunding Source 
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