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Dragon Force

BLAKE ANDERSON TREVOR HELTJULIA CUELLAR MELISSA FNU HAN RYU KIKI NG

IMPROVING GENERAL EDUCATION AT THE

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

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Where We Are

Where We Want To Go

How To Get There

GENERAL EDUCATION

-Rushed-Limited interaction-Skills not being met

-Decrease stress on faculty and students -Allow time to develop and practice skills

-Semester as vehicle of change

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Why the quarter system?• College age population increases by 65%

from 1960-1975 due to the baby boom• Many universities switch to quarter

system to accommodate higher enrollment

• Quarters were not viewed as a superior system for learning

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Pros – The Quarter System

• Greater course variety• Easier to switch majors or double major• Undesirable courses finish quicker• Allows for more prerequisites before entering

a major

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Cons – The Quarter System

• Students have less time for out-of-class preparation

• Less time for assessing student work• Many textbooks designed for semester system • Unable to go in-depth in the subject

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Semester system at UO

• 1973 – The University of Oregon Law school switches to the semester system from quarter system

• Chapin Clark , former UO Law School Dean “Transition was a great success”

• UO Law school remains on Semester

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Semester system at UO

• 1977 – University committee established to research advantages and disadvantages of semester system at UO

• 1979 - Council of Deans votes 18 to 0 with 3 abstentions to recommend UO to switch to semester

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Support

• “The new (semester) system has been in operation for five years with no complaints.”

– Villanova University• “The students and faculty are well pleased with

this change.” – The University of Colorado• “I feel that it has been a great success here, and

I certainly recommend it to any institution for its adoption.” – University of Kansas

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National Trend

• Currently 90% of American Universities are on the semester system

• Several more universities are in the process of switching

• University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Cal State LA

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Why semesters?As a vehicle to meeting core competency skills.

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Core Competency Skills:

– Oral and Written Communication– Critical Thinking– Understanding of the Historical Past and

its Relationship to the Present– Appreciation for the Diversity of Human

Experience– Analytic and Computational Skills– Understanding of the Fundamentals and

Interrelationship of the Human Mind and Body

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Solutions

To meet core competency skills:

1) Presentation and/or group work

2) Study abroad

3) One physical education class

4) Weekly lab sessions

5) Current events class and world history class

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Solutions1) Presentation and/or Group Work

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- Discussion sessions for classes more than 50 students.- Oral presentations in writing 121 and 122/123,- Group works and assignments in all general education

classes.

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• Core Competency Skills:

– Oral and Written Communication– Critical Thinking– Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to

the Present– Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience– Analytic and Computational Skills– Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the

Human Mind and Body

Solutions1) Presentation and/or Group Work

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Solutions2) Study Abroad

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- An option to fulfill multicultural requirements with study abroad.

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• Core Competency Skills:

– Oral and Written Communication– Critical Thinking– Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to

the Present– Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience– Analytic and Computational Skills– Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the

Human Mind and Body

Solutions2) Study Abroad

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Solutions3) One Physical Education Class

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- At least one PE class to strengthen interrelationship.

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• Core Competency Skills:

– Oral and Written Communication– Critical Thinking– Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to

the Present– Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience– Analytic and Computational Skills– Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the

Human Mind and Body

Solutions3) One Physical Education Class

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Solutions4) Weekly Lab Sessions

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- Opportunities to practice their knowledge.

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• Core Competency Skills:

– Oral and Written Communication– Critical Thinking– Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to

the Present– Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience– Analytic and Computational Skills– Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the

Human Mind and Body

Solutions4) Weekly Lab Sessions

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Solutions5) Current Events Class and World History Class

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- Enable students to understand histories and prepare for

the present events

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• Core Competency Skills:

– Oral and Written Communication– Critical Thinking– Understanding of the Historical Past and its Relationship to

the Present– Appreciation for the Diversity of Human Experience– Analytic and Computational Skills– Understanding of the Fundamentals and Interrelationship of the

Human Mind and Body

Solutions5) Current Events Class and World History Class

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TECHNICAL PLAN

Phase One (AY 2009/2010)Phase Two (AY 2010/2011)

Phase Three (AY 2011/2012)

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PHASE ONE (AY 2009/2010)

• Set up Semester Conversion and Transition Task Force (SCTTF)

• Investigate the transition of peer schools

• SCTTF should have all information about transition at the end of Spring term

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PHASE TWO (AY 2010/2011)

• Academic advisors will present students with all information about the transition

• Advisors conduct open forums for students

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PHASE THREE (AY 2011/2012)

• The semester system will start on the first day of Fall 2011

• New GE program will take place at the

same time

GO Ducks in Semester !!

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Cost

FINANCIALSCTTF: $1500/mo Stipend $1000/term Tuition Waiver

Overtime pay for Advisors

NON FINANCIALProfessors restructure lesson plan

University-wide Confusion

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Risks

• Loss variety of courses

• Distraction from learning during transition period

• Restructure of major requirement

RISKS• Loss some variety of courses

• Distraction from learning during transition period

•Restructuring of major requirement

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The Plan Core Competency Skills

Semester System

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Q/A

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Semesters and General Education

Semesters

BALANCED

CONFIDENT

READY

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Auburn University (2000)University of California Berkley (1970)University of California Occidental (1994)Florida State University System (1980) which includes the following:

University of FloridaFlorida State UniversityFlorida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida International University

Georgia State University System (1993) which includes the following:Albany State UniversityAugusta State UniversityBainbridge CollegeColumbus State UniversityGeorgia State UniversityGordon CollegeUniversity of GeorgiaSavannah State UniversityNorth Georgia College and State UniversityGeorgia Southern University

Mount Vernon CollegeMichigan State University (1993)Michigan Technological Institute (2000)University of Minnesota (1999)Montana State University System (1991) which includes the following:

Montana State University – BozemanMontana State University – BillingsMontana State University – NorthernThe University of Montana – MissoulaThe University of Montana Western

North Dakota State University System (1997) which includes the following:Bismarck State CollegeMayville State UniversityMinot State UniversityNorth Dakota State UniversityUniversity of North Dakota

University of Akron (1978)Bowling Green University (1982)Cleveland State University (1998)Kent State University (1978)Miami University of Ohio (1978)University of Tennessee (1988)Utah State University System (1998) which includes the following:

College of Eastern UtahUniversity of UtahUtah State UniversityUtah Valley University

Schools That Have Made “THE SWITCH”

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…so can we!

If they can do it…