QEP In Action

1. QEP In Action USI 130-14 Chesney Reich

2. QEP Goals for USI 130-14 • Introduce students to the concept of synthesis • Allow students the opportunity to articulate connections among their college experiences and their aptitudes, abilities, and interests • Encourage the intentional pursuit of meaningful curricular and co-curricular experiences

3. QEP Outcomes and Related Class Activities and Assignments • Outcome: Integrate information from a variety of contexts • Activities and Assignments: • In-class Synthesis Activity (see handout) • Event Reflections • Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory • “Careers, Majors & Salaries: The Best Way to Choose.” Presentation by Michael Despeaux, Career Services Office • Synthesis Presentations

4. QEP Outcomes and Related Class Activities and Assignments • Outcomes: Solve Complex Problems and Practice Civic Engagement • Activities and Assignments: • In class presentation by Sandy Frazier, Development Director for REACH of Jackson County • Service project with REACH of Jackson and Macon Counties: The Smothers Brothers Fundraiser • Reflection on the Service project and the implications for REACH

5. QEP Outcomes and Related Class Activities and Assignments • Outcome: Clarify and act on purpose and values • Activities and Assignments: • Values Auction (see handout) • Event Reflections • Synthesis Presentations • Letter to an Incoming Freshman

6. Activities and Assignments: Synthesis Activity • Purpose: To give students an opportunity to experience synthesis via a hands-on, group activity. • Outcome: Students use the in-class activity as a starting point for articulating ways in which information, ideas, skills, knowledge, and materials can intersect to create a new product.

7. Activities and Assignments: Synthesis Activity The Assignment (see handout): • Students work first in small groups, then as an entire class to combine knowledge, skills, and materials in creating a “Super Student Gadget” that will allow them to be successful in all of their classes. • Class discussion follows each step in the activity and gives students an opportunity to formulate examples of real-world synthesis.

8. Activities and Assignments: Synthesis Activity Questions for discussion • Can you think of a time when something you learned in one class “intersected” with something you learned in another class? • Have you been able to apply knowledge or experience from one class to another class or to life outside of class? • Has your classroom learning ever been challenged by something you learned or experienced in another class or in your personal life? • Why is it important to think about your classes in terms of connections and interrelationships rather than considering them individually?

9. Activities and Assignments: Event Reflections • Purpose: To encourage students to explore the university, to learn about campus resources, to develop interests, and to interact with others. • Outcome: Students choose events that compliment their interests, skills, and abilities, and they learn about themselves and their community in the process.

10. Activities and Assignments: Event Reflections The Assignment: • Participate in four out-of-class events and write a reflection about each. • Reflections should include: • A description of the event and an explanation of why you chose it • A reflection of what you learned about your values, preferences, interests, learning style, abilities, strengths, or weaknesses as a result of participating in the event • A reflection of how the event relates to something you have learned or discussed in another class

11. Activities and Assignments: Synthesis Presentations • Purpose: To encourage students to reflect on and make meaning out of their curricular and co-curricular experiences and to think ahead to the experiences they will create for themselves during their college careers and beyond. • Outcome: Students will demonstrate to their classmates the connections among their interests, skills, and abilities; their career goals; and their learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

12. Activities and Assignments: Synthesis Presentations The Assignment: Make a 5-8 minute presentation to your classmates that includes • An analysis of what you have learned/experienced this semester and how those experiences relate to your values, interests, skills and abilities, and preferences • A reflection of how you have changed since setting foot on campus, based on the experiences you’ve had this semester • A plan for how you will use this knowledge to seek out and create experiences for yourself that will integrate, strengthen, or allow you to apply your values, interests, skills and abilities, and preferences to the remainder of your college career and to your post-college career • A presentation format that is well suited to you and that includes a visual aid or prop

13. Activities and Assignments : Letter to an Incoming Freshman • Purpose: To allow students to articulate their personal and professional growth. • Outcome: Students write a letter that summarizes their learning experiences during the first semester of college and that provides advice and insight to an incoming student.

14. Activities and Assignments: Letter to an Incoming Freshman The Assignment: As you write the letter, ask yourself… • What have you learned about yourself since coming to Western, and how did you learn it? • Based on your own experiences and your observations of others this semester, what one piece of advice would you give to an incoming freshman? • What has been your biggest mistake as a first-semester freshman? • What’s the most interesting or important thing you’ve learned this semester, either inside or outside the classroom? • What’s one thing you’ve done or experienced this semester that you would recommend to an incoming student?

15. Words of Wisdom from the Letters: Integrate Information • QEP Outcome: Students will make connections between personal interests and abilities, Liberal Studies, programs of study, general electives, and experiential learning opportunities, and other co-curricular activities; and relate the implications/value of these connections to ‘real world’ scenarios. • “Western has helped me develop my life in so many ways. I have developed better social skills, not only with classroom interactions but also in the dorms and in outside-of-campus events.” – Shea

16. Words of Wisdom from the Letters: Integrate Information • “I have learned so much since coming here, and not just in the classroom…so many things that have and will help me in the future.” – Brad • “If I can give you any advice, it will be to get involved. Involvement gives you new skills and remarkable opportunity. Western has a vast variety of clubs and activities and one will fit your major and career. The sooner you participate in a club the sooner you will be on your road to success.” - George

17. Words of Wisdom from the Letters: Practice Civic Engagement • QEP Outcome: Students will identify their roles and responsibilities as engaged citizens by considering the public policies that affect their choices and actions; by recognizing commonalities and interdependence of diverse views/values; and by acting responsibly to positively affect public policy.  • “Do not think that you are just another person that has come here for an education, because you are not. One thing that I have learned is that you are a piece of what is Western’s history in the making. Everything you do has an impact on what happens around you.” – Heather

18. Words of Wisdom from the Letters: Practice Civic Engagement • “The most interesting thing I have learned this semester was about this area. I have learned the history and the politics of Western Carolina University, and I love it. I have been fortunate enough through Western to meet all of the politicians that were running for office this season, and I had the chance to visit Cherokee. There is a rich variety of people, places, and culture in these mountains; don’t forget to check it all out.” – George

19. Words of Wisdom from the Letters: Clarify and Act on Purpose and Values • QEP Outcome: Students will examine the views/values that influence their own decision making processes; take responsibility for their own learning and development in a manner consistent with academic integrity and their own goals and aspirations; intentionally use knowledge gained from learning experiences to make informed judgments about their future plans; and bring those plans into action. • “Since coming to WCU I have learned even more about myself and life. For the first time I actually took control and did a few things for myself.” • – Janelle

20. Words of Wisdom from the Letters: Clarify and Act on Purpose and Values • “Being in college you are exposed to many new ideas, challenges, and temptations. Your parents are not there to make decisions for you. You are 100% responsible for your own actions. By surrounding myself with people who share my same morals and values, I was able to stay true to myself.” – Courtney • “I have realized that college is way different than high school. I realized after taking my first chemistry test and getting back the grade of a thirty one that I was going to have to start studying and actually apply myself to my studies. I saw that no one was going to pull me out and help me out. I was going to have to do this by myself.” -- Morgan

21. QEP Outcomes Demonstrated in Students’ Synthesis Presentations Integrate information from a variety of contexts & clarify and act on purpose and values: Courtney Greeson, Recreational Therapy Major, Dance Minor, Member of the WCU Dance Team

22. Career Interests !!! By getting involved with different activities provided By my RA and Western Peaks, I was able to find out more about my career path. Dance Techniques allowed me to audition for a ballet in Asheville. I am minoring in DANCE !!! By networking I found out that Western does not offer my major … Occupational Therapy within the school system. Courtney Greeson – Synthesis Presentation, Dec. 2008

23. QEP Outcomes Demonstrated in Students’ Synthesis Presentations Integrate information from a variety of contexts: Heather Weaver, Clinical Laboratory Sciences Major and Member of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

24. “Without one piece, the puzzle is incomplete” • You learn to work as a team and accomplish something together • If one person is out or does not know what to do, then the project is obscured Heather Weaver – Synthesis Presentation, Dec. 2008

25. QEP Outcomes Demonstrated in Students’ Synthesis Presentations Integrate information from a variety of contexts, practice civic engagement, & clarify and act on purpose and values: George Gibbs, History and Political Science Major, Member of the College Republicans

26. Sarah Palin Rally George Gibbs – Synthesis Presentation, Dec. 2008

27. What did I learn from the rally? Team Work Leadership Communication Skills George Gibbs – Synthesis Presentation, Dec. 2008

28. Values, Interest, Skills and Abilities Values- Helping people, political values, leadership Skills and abilities- communication and leadership Preferences- working with people and solving problems. George Gibbs – Synthesis Presentation, Dec. 2008

29. Final Words… • “College is a place where you will learn a ton of new information about yourself. I personally have learned about my leadership, communication, and self-responsibility skills. While spending my first semester here at Western, I was able to visit Sarah Palin in Asheville as a volunteer. It was my responsibility to help guests that were attending the rally and I had to work closely with the Secret Service. Both of these requirements made me take up leadership and the ability to communicate with guests. If you have an interest in politics I would strongly recommend getting involved in political science. And if you have a partisan interest be sure to check out College Democrats or College Republicans.” – George Gibbs, Letter to an Incoming Freshman