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Basic English Pilot. Lincoln University. What is Basic English?. Moves from sentences to paragraphs. The first in a two-course, pre-college sequence. Students who score 13 or less on ACT E. A four hour course. Why redesign Basic English?. Lack of engagement Low retention Course drift.
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Basic English Pilot Lincoln University
What is Basic English? Moves from sentences to paragraphs The first in a two-course, pre-college sequence Students who score 13 or less on ACT E A four hour course
Why redesign Basic English? Lack of engagement Low retention Course drift • Average ACTE 10.5 • Half of freshmen need English remediation
How we redesigned: • Used online grammar and mechanics component • Hired a course assistant to help with grading and course management • Added Technology Lab Assistants to fix immediate classroom issues • Made a computer lab for this specific course • All assignments were submitted electronically
Success Students in both Traditional and Redesigned courses showed nearly the same percentage of improvement on assessment methods.
Assessment Methods • Standardized Rubric: a locally designed and scored reading comprehension and paragraph writing assessment. • MySkillsLab: an Online grammar and mechanics program scored automatically.
Pre and Post Test Results Traditional Course Redesigned Course
Improvements by Course 29% 23% 17% 20%
Instructor Challenges • Team leader had little experience • Traditional courses taught by adjuncts • Noncompliance by professor
Assistants Course Assistants Lab Assistants • Amorphous interview process • On the job training • Lack of skills • Not cost efficient • Crowded classroom
Technology Challenges Assumptions of students’ knowledge General issues • Email vs. • Moodle ( online course management system) • Microsoft Word • Online submissions • Clickers • New computers • Smart board/Projector
Improvements for Fall 2012 Technology • Technology training for students before first day of class, and review during semester • Not all submissions will be online • Workout classroom kinks this summer • Instead of clickers, use computer based response system • Use classroom for required one hour lab staffed by instructors and assistants
Improvements for Fall 2012 Cont’d • Assistants • Eliminate technology lab assistants • Structured interview process • Tutoring, feedback, and technology training for course assistants before semester begins • Instructors • New attendance policy • New full time instructor hired • One adjunct at most • Experienced Team Leader
Student Success Camp • Students with high school GPAs of <2.0 • Must complete camp to be enrolled in any developmental course • Teaches critical thinking skills • Encourages teamwork and learning communities • www.pcrest.com
Basic English Pilot Lincoln University