Basic English Pilot

Moves from sentences to paragraphs

What is Basic English?

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 ResultsTraditional Course Redesigned Course

Improvements by Course

29%

17%

23%

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

Technology

Improvements for Fall 2012 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 assistantsStructured interview processTutoring, feedback, and technology training for course assistants before semester begins

Instructors

New attendance policyNew full time instructor hiredOne adjunct at mostExperienced 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