media services north campus feb 2001 enrollment management project focus groups and student success...
TRANSCRIPT
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Enrollment Management Project Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success Focus Groups and Student Success
Miami-Dade Community CollegeMiami-Dade Community College
Professional Development DayProfessional Development Day
March 6, 2003March 6, 2003
Kendall CampusKendall Campus
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Click down arrows to advance frames >Click down arrows to advance frames >
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
What is a Focus Group?What is a Focus Group?
• Definition: A structured, interactive group interview
• Function: To solicit in depth responses to a group of questions
• Composition: 8-15 participants, 1-2 facilitators, and a scribe
• Duration: 1-1/2 to 2 hours
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Background Background
Rationale:
To solicit opinions, suggestions, and information regarding factors affecting retention, recruitment and student success
Steps: • Identify target group• Develop questions • Recruit participants• Conduct focus groups and analyze results• Review results with appropriate areas • Develop strategies to address issues identified
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Reactions from Focus Group ParticipantsReactions from Focus Group Participants
• Extremely positive
• Honored to be asked
• Heightened sense of ownership
• Comfortable, secure atmosphere
• Optimistic about change
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Target GroupsTarget Groups
M-DCC Students•College preparatory students•EAP(ESL) students•Honors College students•Students in HSC0001- Introduction to Health Care•International students
Transfer Students – FIU•With AA degree•Without AA degree
High School Seniors
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory Mathematics students said…College Preparatory Mathematics students said…
1) Attend class regularly
2) Form study groups
3) Be focused
4) Change negative attitude
5) Talk to instructor about difficulties
Students should:Students should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory Mathematics students said…College Preparatory Mathematics students said…
1) Answer even basic questions patiently
2) Give practice tests – mirror test format
3) Explain clearly, step by step
4) Change perceived attitude – be positive, motivate
Faculty should:Faculty should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory Mathematics students said…College Preparatory Mathematics students said…
1) Have smaller classes
2) Increase number, quality of tutors/lab personnel
The College should:The College should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory English students said…College Preparatory English students said…
1) Be more organized
2) Study every day
3) Focus and set goals
4) Prioritize, manage time well
Students should:Students should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory English students said…College Preparatory English students said…
1) Be more energetic and interesting
2) Be more human, sensitive (do not label questions as “stupid”)
3) Be available
Faculty should:Faculty should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory Reading students said…College Preparatory Reading students said…
1) Spend more time studying
2) Do assignments promptly
3) Focus and set goals
Students should:Students should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory Reading students said…College Preparatory Reading students said…
1) Slow down
2) Make sure students understand
3) Be positive, make students feel comfortable
4) Vary teaching strategies
Faculty should:Faculty should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
College Preparatory Reading students said…College Preparatory Reading students said…
1) Encourage better customer service
2) Lower the cost of books/ higher resale
The College should:The College should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
EAP (ESL) students said…EAP (ESL) students said…
1) Teach in English only
2) Align classes and labs
Faculty should:Faculty should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
EAP (ESL) students said…EAP (ESL) students said…
1) Improve registration – too time consuming
2) Provide orientation about programs, majors, financial aid
The College should:The College should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Transfer students said…Transfer students said…
1) Take responsibility for themselves
2) Be self-sufficient
3) Connect with other students, work together
4) Know requirements, complete prerequisites
Students should:Students should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Transfer students said…Transfer students said…
1) Provide better orientation for transferring students
2) Emphasize value and importance of completing AA before transferring
The College should:The College should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Honors College students said…Honors College students said…
1) Scholarship
2) Better transfer opportunities
3) Challenging, smaller classes
Reasons for enrolling:Reasons for enrolling:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Honors College students said…Honors College students said…
1) Adjust credit load and GPA requirements
2) Offer Honors College mathematics and science
3) Improve the Colloquium
The College should:The College should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Medical Center Campus students said…Medical Center Campus students said…
1) Be disciplined and not procrastinate
2) Try not to work - get loans, financial assistance
3) Manage stress
Students should:Students should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Medical Center Campus students said…Medical Center Campus students said…
1) Lecture less
2) Have one instructor per class – no team teaching
3) Align text, lecture, tests – be consistent
Faculty should:Faculty should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Medical Center Campus students said…Medical Center Campus students said…
1) Allow financial aid for students in the Accelerated Option
2) Create better faculty evaluations and include written comments
3) Provide professional counseling
The College should:The College should:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
HSC0001 students said:HSC0001 students said:
1) Lack of financial support, must work
2) Poor skills (reading, writing, math)
3) Stress (professional and personal)
Problems hindering success:Problems hindering success:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
HSC0001 students said:HSC0001 students said:
1) Increase financial aid, extend payment deadlines
2) Offer more individual tutoring, offer speed reading
3) Provide professional counseling
Suggested College solutions:Suggested College solutions:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
International students said:International students said:
1) Cost
2) Friends already attending
3) Visited M-DCC on vacation
Reasons for selecting M-DCC:Reasons for selecting M-DCC:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
International students said:International students said:
1) Create an SLS course tailored for them
2) Allow students to take fewer than 12 credits –many need to work
3) Designate an area as an international student lounge
4) Provide loans
What the College can do to help international What the College can do to help international students:students:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
High school students said…High school students said…
1) Attend for two years and then transfer
2) Really the 13th grade
3) Many students drop out
Miami-Dade means:Miami-Dade means:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
High school students said…High school students said…
1) Think parents are against community colleges
2) More like a technical school
3) Lack information about M-DCC
Students would not consider M-DCC because:Students would not consider M-DCC because:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
High school students also said…High school students also said…
1) Sending information to students’ homes, providing a “return” portion for specific information
2) Arranging classroom visitations for high school students to see the College, classes and faculty
M-DCC can improve its reputation by:M-DCC can improve its reputation by:
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Actions Based on the Results:Actions Based on the Results:Math DepartmentsMath Departments
• Participated in Roundtable Discussions
• Held Retreat
• Revising CP mathematics curricula
• Consolidation of skills taught – core skills taught with more depth
• Modifying instructional delivery
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Actions Based on the Results:Actions Based on the Results:Math Departments (con’t)Math Departments (con’t)
•Establishing resource center for faculty
•Increased training for adjunct faculty
•Increased support outside class – align lab & class
• Offer math anxiety workshops
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Actions Based on the Results:Actions Based on the Results:Transfer PracticesTransfer Practices
• Plan and conduct orientation for students preparing to transfer
• Collaborate with FIU to address problems students face
• Advertise benefits of completing degree before transferring
• Identify factors which contribute to success once students transfer
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Actions Based on the Results:Honors College
• Honors courses to be offered in math and science
• Students will participate in planning colloquium
Media Services North Campus Feb 2001
Future Focus Group Projects:Future Focus Group Projects:
• Transfer students (UM, UF, FSU)
• Vocational students
• High school seniors – college ready
• Web site focus groups