overview tuning defined tuning in the us the tuning process benefits of tuning why tuning is...
TRANSCRIPT
Overview
• Tuning Defined• Tuning in the US• The Tuning Process• Benefits of Tuning• Why Tuning is Different
What is Tuning?
A collaborative, faculty-driven process that “harmonizes” curricula around defining what a student should know and be able to do in a chosen discipline at the completion of a degree by:
• Defining areas of competency
• Identifying learning outcomes
• Scaling competencies and outcomes to degree level
Associate’s
Bachelor’s
Master’s
Tuning’s Key Premises
• Curricula should not be standardized
• Faculty control the discipline
• Academic autonomy and flexibility are essential
Harmonized Distinctiveness
Given these premises, Tuning:• Does not align curricula
• Preserves distinctiveness of curricula
• Harmonizes curricula around shared ideas of appropriate student learning
Harmonized Distinctiveness
Tuning as Sculpture:
• Discipline competencies & outcomes provide armature
• Programs determine the sculpture’s shape through:• Distinct curricular approaches• Unique sets of resources• Institutionally-specific missions
Harmonized Distinctiveness
Tuning Educational Structures in the US
Lumina Foundation initiated Tuning to address the foundation’s Goal 2025:
Increase the percentage of Americans with high-quality degrees and credentials
from 39 percent to 60 percent by the year 2025
Researched and imported by Lumina Foundation to address the foundation’s Goal 2025:
Quality = Student Learning
Tuning in the US
Tuning’s Contribution to Quality• Makes discipline experts (faculty) the drivers
• Emphasizes student learning (what a student knows and is able to do)
• Creates space for innovative approaches to education (curriculum design, transfer, etc.)
• Synergizes with other educational priorities• Underrepresented / ‘At-Risk’ populations• Student preparation and success• NGA’s Common Core State Standards
Tuning in the US
• Biology• Physics• Chemistry• Mathematics• Civil Engineering• Electrical Engineering• Industrial Engineering• Mechanical Engineering• Chemical Engineering• Biomedical Engineering
• Elementary Education• Physics Education• History Education• Marketing• Nursing• Social Work• History• Psychology• Business• Graphic Design
Tuning in the US
• Indiana• Minnesota• Utah• Texas• Kentucky• Midwest Higher Education Compact• American Historical Association• Accrediting Commission for Community & Junior Colleges
THE PROCESSTuning: A Brief Introduction
The Tuning Process
• Identify core competencies• Write core outcomes
Define Discipline
Core
• Identify education pathways• Identify career fields
Map Career Pathways
• Identify stakeholders• Devise consultations tools• Gather input
Consult Stakeholders
• Review input• Revise discipline core
Hone Discipline
Core
• Identify departmental assets, priorities,& mission
• Map discipline core to program• Write degree specifications
Implement Locally
Five Components
The Tuning Process
• Builds on existing learning outcome work (by institutions, national groups, and professional associations, etc.) to set reference points for curricula
• Emerges from three elements• Discipline profile• Core competencies• Demonstrable learning outcomes
• Scales expectations higher as students progress
Define the discipline core
The Tuning Process
Map career pathways
• Identifies who employs graduates and in what occupations
• Informs faculty about ‘consumers’ of degree holders
• Identifies targets of consultations
The Tuning Process
Seeking feedback/input from:• Colleagues• Students• Alumni• Potential employers• Campus advising personnel
Using:• Focus groups• Surveys• Focused interviews
Consult stakeholders
Consult Stakeholders
Consultation and conversation with stakeholders should be
regular and ongoing
The Tuning Process
Revise with thought given to:• Stakeholder input on competencies
• Faculty input on discipline core
• Differentiation among degree-levels
Hone the discipline core
Revisions
Faculty
Students
AlumniEmployers
The Tuning Process
Institution Name and DepartmentDegree Name
Purpose
Characteristics
Career Pathways
Education Style
Program Competencies & Outcomes
Implement Locally
Implement Locally
Planning for local-level support & activity yields
greater effectiveness
Tuning’s Products
1. Discipline Core• Explanation of the discipline• Competencies & learning outcomes scaled
to degree level
2. Career Pathways• List of occupations and fields, perhaps with
explanations & recent examples• May include charts for informing students
about possibilities
3. Degree Specifications• Unique to each institution• One specification for each degree offered
Tuning yields three final documents:
Tuning’s Products
1. Discipline Core• Explanation of the discipline• Competencies & learning outcomes scaled
to degree level
2. Career Pathways• List of occupations and fields, perhaps with
explanations & recent examples• May include charts for informing students
about possibilities
3. Degree Specifications• Unique to each institution• One specification for each degree offered
Tuning yields three final documents:
Tuning’s Products
1. Discipline Core• Explanation of the discipline• Competencies & learning outcomes scaled
to degree level
2. Career Pathways• List of occupations and fields, perhaps with
explanations & recent examples• May include charts for informing students
about possibilities
3. Degree Specifications• Unique to each institution• One specification for each degree offered
Tuning yields three final documents:
THE BENEFITSTuning: A Brief Introduction
Benefits of Tuning1. Puts faculty on the leading edge of defining academic
quality
2. Builds trust among institutions through faculty collaboration
3. Encourages comparability among institutions
4. Defines student success in terms of student learning
5. Emphasizes student proficiency as part of transfer
6. Encourages INTENTIONALITY in educating students
Benefits of Tuning
From the student perspective:
• Clear pathways to degree
• Explicit expectations for success
• Early support for career identification
• Tools for communicating these to students
WHY TUNING IS DIFFERENTTuning: A Brief Introduction
Why Tuning Is DifferentNot just writing outcomes Student-progress-oriented
Not isolated within programs Shared core facilitates transfer
Not insulated from practicalities Supports students’ career aspirations
Not just navel-gazing Integrates general & specific learning
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