Quality Enhancement Plan Improving Student Learning for Life-long Success

1. Quality Enhancement Plan Improving Student Learning for Life-long Success Tennessee Technological University

2. How much do Students Remember? Five-minute University

3. Implications • Memory for Factual Information Should not be the Primary Focus of Higher Education. • Focus on Changing Students’ Abilities to Think, Interpret and Solve Novel Problems. • Assess Students’ Abilities to Think, Interpret, and Solve Novel Problems.

4. What is the QEP? • Quality Enhancement Plan • Focused plan for improving student learning • 5 year monitoring of progress • Identified Weakness • New Initiative

5. Elements of a Successful QEP Improving Student Learning Broad Campus Involvement Effective Methods of Assessment Supports Vision/ Goals of Institution Supported by Research Findings Identified Weakness

6. Goals of QEP Committee Identify Weaknesses in Student Learning Suggest Topics & Strategies Vision Improved Life-long Success

7. Skills Graduates need for Success # 1 for Faculty = Critical Thinking # 1 for Students = Real World Problem Solving # 1 from Employer Survey = Problem Solving

8. TTU QEP Improve critical thinking/real world problem solving skills through the use of active learning strategies. • With emphasis on communication skills • With emphasis on teamwork skills • With emphasis on creative thinking

9. Associated Benefits More Student Engagement & Higher Student Retention Active Learning Improved Confidence & Life-long Success

10. Requesting Participation

16. Successful QEP Grants • Focus on TTU students’ critical thinking/real-world problem solving • Clearly use active learning strategies • New initiative • Significant impact • Clear budget and budget justification • Innovative • Clear goals and action plan • Appropriate assessment

17. Thank You