Learning Centered… It’s Where We’re Going

1. Learning Centered… It’s Where We’re Going Red Balloon Initiative & Strategic Planning AASCU Academic Affairs Summer Meeting Portland, Oregon July 27-31, 2011

2. Learning Centered ….It’s Where We’re Going Dr. Rebecca Turner, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, Alabama

3. Learning Centered … It’s Where We’re Going Assumptions (Students) • Students learn differently; students are different today • Engaged learning is best • Technology offers tools for learning • Students use technology well and often • Students learn, retain, and use that which is relevant to them • Students have limited resources (time, money, support systems) so the learning environment needs to maximize opportunities for student learning to occur

4. Learning Centered … It’s Where We’re Going Assumptions (Faculty) Faculty want students to learn; they want to motivate students to learn (camp fire) Faculty want to continuously improve their learning environment (classroom, watering hole) Faculty want students to succeed academically, graduate, and move into “gainful employment” (mountaintop) Professional development is needed for faculty to learn new approaches to creating learning environments and using technology for teaching and learning

5. Learning Centered … It’s Where We’re Going Assumptions (University) To succeed the university must change Transformative change needs system wide involvement and commitment Institutional processes are an avenue to implement change Change in the university requires administrators willing and able to inspire and lead change

6. JSU Conceptual Framework for the Learning Centered University JSU Strategic Plan Professional Development Technology

7. Draft Definition of a Learning Centered University A Learning Centered University At Jacksonville State University we believe that students, faculty, and staff comprise a community of learners.  We believe it is important for learners to take responsibility for their learning. This means presenting a willingness to learn, being proactive in the acquisition of knowledge, and behaving with integrity and honesty in the learning environment.  We believe that learning takes place when learners are engaged, assumptions are challenged, expectations are shared, and relationships are built around the purpose of learning.

8. Learning Centered … It’s Where We’re GoingWITH STRATEGIC PLANNING JSU is in the process of creating the 2011-2016 Strategic Plan. This plan is rooted in a conceptual framework that is learning centered and based on three theories and models. Peter Senge's seminal work, The Fifth Discipline (1991) describes the learning organization based on five principles: systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, building shared vision and team learning.Boyer's Model of Scholarship identifies four elements of scholarship that replace a more restrictive model of teaching, research and service. Boyer's Model of Scholarship identifies discovery, integration, application and teaching as four dynamic forms of faculty activity.A third model is O'Banion's work on the learning centered college. Originally developed for the community college, O'Banion's work focuses on placing learning first in all policies and practices in higher education. His work also acknowledges that this means an overhaul of higher education. In the article, A focus on learning: A core mission of higher education (2010) O'Banion and Wilson identify six key principles in a learning centered campus: change in learners, engaged learners, options for learning, collaborative learning, teaching defined by learner's needs, and assessment and documentation of learning.

9. Learning Centered …It’s Where We’re Going Strategic Planning Committee MembersDr. William A. Meehan, President, ChairDr. Alicia Simmons, Director, Institutional Research & Assessment Co-ChairMr. Clint Carlson, Vice President, Administrative & Business AffairsDr. William Carr, Dean, Graduate Studies & Continuing EducationDr. Louise Clark, Associate Dean, College of Commerce & Business AdministrationDr. Brent Cunningham, Associate Professor, College of Commerce & Business AdministrationDr. Joe Delap, Associate Vice President, Academic AffairsDr. Charles Lewis, Vice President, Institutional AdvancementMr. Bryant Whaley, SGA President Dr. Bill Fielding, Dean, College of Commerce & Business AffairsMr. Tim Garner, Executive Director, Marketing & CommunicationsDr. John Hammett, Dean, College of Education & Professional StudiesDr. Kevin Hoult, Director, University Housing & Residence LifeMr. Vinson Houston, Vice President, Information TechnologyMr. Warren Koegel, Director of AthleticsMr. Mark Jones, Director, Recreational SportsDr. Frank King, Associate Vice President, Distance EducationDr. Tim King, Associate Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student AffairsMs. Nancy Mellen, Instructor, Criminal JusticeMs. Jodi Poe, Head of Technical Services, Houston Cole LibraryDr. Christie Shelton, Associate Dean, College of Nursing & Health SciencesDr. Rebecca Turner, Provost & Vice President, Academic & Student AffairsDr. Earl Wade, Dean, College of Arts & SciencesMs. Lisa Williams, Associate Dean, College of Arts & SciencesMs. Jessica Younce, SGA Representative

10. Learning Centered …It’s Where We’re Going Eight Red Balloon Strategy Teams Inform Strategic Plan 1. Improve Methodologies and Technologies in the Classroom 2. Expand Quality Online Programs and Services 3. Improve the Residential Campus 4. Provide a One-Stop Shop for Student Services 5. Ensure Student Job Readiness 6. Recruit and Retain Qualified Undergraduate Students 7. Streamline Graduate Admissions and Grow Enrollment 8. Seek Greater International Engagement

11. Learning Centered ….It’s Where We’re Going JSU Mission Statement Jacksonville State University is a public, comprehensive teaching institution that provides educational, cultural, and social experiences for a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population. As a student-centered university, Jacksonville State University strives to balance academic challenges with a range of support services for students’ academic, career, and personal goals. As an academic institution, Jacksonville State University seeks to produce broadly educated graduates with skills for employment, citizenship, and life-long learning. As a comprehensive university, Jacksonville State University supports scholarly and service activities consistent with its academic and professional strengths.

12. What’s Next? Input from all Red Balloon strategy teams collected and organized Strategic Planning Committee meets to review input and draft strategic plan for community review and input (August 29, 2011) Strategic Planning Committee reviews community input and revises plan as needed (September) Strategic Plan presented to Board of Trustees in October Implementation begins upon Board approval

13. Learning Centered …It’s Where We’re Going QUESTION Will our Red Balloon Initiative help us get there? ANSWER It better. Our future depends on it! Thank you!