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First Tuesday Series February 2, 2010. -- SACS -- Quality Enhancement Plan. SACS requires that universities develop a comprehensive plan to enhance student learning on their campuses.
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First Tuesday Series February 2, 2010
-- SACS -- Quality Enhancement Plan • SACS requires that universities develop a comprehensive plan to enhance student learning on their campuses. • Committee changed the name from QEP to EXL early on in the development process to make EXL part of the culture of the university and not just a program required by SACS!!
Two Year Planning Process • Program Requirements • Assessment Measures (rubrics, surveys) • Forms • Policies • Strategic Implementation Plan
EXL Program Launch • Fall 2006 -- 474 students • Spring 2010 -- 2,205 students • 2009-2010 academic year – 3,927 students
Economic Impact • Middle Tennessee economic impact for student work completed in schools, non-profit organizations, businesses, hospitals, etc. (rate of $8 per hour) • 2008 – 2009 – 134,904 hours spent on community projects by 2,545 students • 2008 – 2009 impact -- $1.095 million
Experiential Learning Defined • That learning process that takes place beyond the traditional classroom and that enhances the personal and intellectual growth of the student. Such education can occur in a wide variety of settings, but it usually takes on a ‘learn-by-doing’ aspect that engages the student directly in the subject, work or service involved. (Experiential Education in the College of Arts and Sciences, Northeastern University, 1997.)
Types of EXL Classes • co-op/internship • study abroad • applied experience • service-learning • creative activity • teacher education • lab course
EXL Prefix Courses • Service Learning Practicum (2010 or 3010) • Leadership Studies Practicum (2020 or 3020) • Civic Engagement Practicum (2030 or 3030) • All courses can be set as 1, 2, or 3 hour courses
EXL Designation – Requirements • 16 to 18 hours of EXL designated classes. • At least one external activity (volunteer project with community organization/business or scholarly research project). • MTSU internal service component (leadership role in a campus sponsored charitable activity, volunteer with a campus office to assist other students, or be a campus leader) • Documentation of completion of EXL activities via an E-Portfolio (EXL 4000 course) • Participation in EXL Program assessment activities such as completion of surveys
E-portfolio – EXL 4000 • Website used by a student: • to determine his/her specific career interest • To enhance his/her resume with specific examples showing skills and knowledge • To enhance his/her application materials for graduate school • As a tool in the interview process to direct discussion and answer interview questions
Assessment • Program outcomes • Student learning outcomes (rubrics) • Student surveys • Community partner surveys – to be developed • National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE) results
Grants and Awards • Outstanding EXL Faculty - $1,000 • Outstanding EXL Student - $500 • Outstanding EXL Community Partner – to be implemented • Outstanding EXL Administrator – to be implemented • Faculty Grants – up to 1,000 for faculty (begins this semester with $500 limit) • Student Grants – to begin in fall 2010
Why Should Faculty Participate? • Students become more engaged learners and class is more active and interesting for faculty. • Faculty members have opportunities to interact with professionals working in their disciplines. • Faculty members have opportunities to provide service to the middle Tennessee community that enhances the quality of life of the community. • Teaching EXL courses may provide a means for faculty members to re-think their teaching approaches to find ways to actively engage students in learning. • Faculty members have the opportunity to develop research on teaching issues. • Monetary awards will be provided to outstanding EXL faculty.
Why Should Faculty Participate? • Small grants are available to students and faculty for supplies for EXL classes. • Students have the opportunity to have real world experiences that will help them build their careers and faculty members can be mentors to students through EXL. • EXL is a way to build interest in a major (offer several courses in the major and market the degree as an applied degree that will provide students with experiences to enhance their careers). • Faculty members can use their EXL activities as support for teaching in the retention, tenure, and promotion processes. • Faculty members can use their EXL activities as support for public service in the retention, tenure, and promotion processes. • Faculty members may use EXL initiatives as part of external grant applications and for research.