Planning for the 21st Century Learning

Outcomes Project

League for Innovation in the Community College Innovations Conference 2003

What is the Learning Outcomes Project?

The Pew Charitable Trusts initially funded a League planning project in which community college presidents worked with consultants in higher education to define skills fundamental to the education of all community college students.

In stage two of the project, 16 colleges (including SFCC) were tasked with defining, developing, delivering, and documenting these critical competencies.

Context for the Learning Outcomes Project

Strategic Plan 2000

Mission:

Adding value to the lives of our students and enriching our

community

Context for the Learning Outcomes Project

ValuesSanta Fe Community College is a dynamic, innovative learning

community committed to:

Academic excellence, academic freedom, and intellectual pursuit Individual and social responsibility Honesty, integrity, and civility Cultural diversity and equity Collaboration with our community Open access Life long learning Assessment, accountability, and improvement

Context for the Learning Outcomes Project

Goals OUTREACH & ACCESS - Identify, assess, and meet community needs

to promote open access to the college. DELIVERY ALTERNATIVES -Assess student needs and outcomes and

create innovative and flexible learning opportunities. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - Provide learning opportunities and

academic support to ensure the highest levels of academic performance. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Provide student-centered workforce

programs in collaboration with local employers and economic development agencies.

HUMAN RESOURCES - Recruit, develop, assess, and retain quality full and part-time faculty and staff.

TECHNOLOGY - Provide information technology systems and infrastructure to support the college’s mission.

RESOURCES - Develop, obtain, and allocate the necessary resources to implement the college’s mission.

Context for the Learning Outcomes Project

Educational Programs

Reconsidering the general education core for the learning needs of the 21st Century student

Improving performance and results in all program areas including student retention and completion

Assessing educational programs to encourage academic excellence Improving the graduation rates for all program areas

provide learning opportunities and academic support to ensure the highest levels of academic performance

Learning Outcomes Project Management Team Jackson Sasser President Patricia Grunder Vice President, Academic Affairs Patsy Frenchman Assoc VP, Student Affairs Fran Holm Assoc VP, Technical and Applied Sciences Curtis Jefferson Assoc VP, Liberal Arts and Sciences Anne Kress Assoc VP, IMET Pat Smittle Assoc VP, Academic Foundations Karen Cole-Smith Asst VP and Director, CAPD Kim Kendall Asst VP, IMET Bill Vivian former Director, Institutional Research Michael Reiner Chair, Social and Behavioral Sciences Brian Fox Programs Coordinator, Business Programs Marisa McLeod Asst Prof, Social Sciences and History

Project Objectives Define curriculum areas that encompass 21st Century Learning Outcomes

within the institution. Develop a comprehensive set of curriculum components for each of the

21st Century Learning Outcomes. Deliver learning opportunities appropriate to the performance-based

curriculum model using best practices and multiple pedagogical approaches.

Document student achievement of 21st Century Learning Outcomes using approaches that extend beyond traditional grades, credits, and degrees.

Disseminate model programs, practices, and steps toward development with other institutions, educators, and policymakers.

Learning Outcomes Taskforce

Karen Cole-Smith and Anne Kress, co-chairs Kathryn Baker, English Ed Bonahue, Humanities and Foreign Languages

Mapi Cuevas, Natural Sciences Mark Dicks, Academic Resources Douglas Diekow, Social Sciences and History Byron Dyce, Mathematics Sture Edvardsson, Natural Sciences Zona Gale, ITE Dawn Graziani, Academic Resources Kristine Griffin, Mathematics Fran Holm, Technology and Applied Sciences Eugene Jones, ITE Terry Klenk, Visual and Performing Arts Leslie Lambert, Visual and Performing Arts Matthew Newell, Visual and Performing Arts Alan Pappas, Student Development Instructional Pavlov Rameau, Mathematics Diane Rankin, Nursing Michael Reiner, Social and Behavioral Sciences Bill Stephenson, English Lynn Sullivan, Student Affairs Georg Vollweiler, Social and Behavioral Sciences William Wall, English

Learning Outcomes Communication - develop effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, and

nonverbal communication skills

Community - develop an understanding of diversity/pluralism in the world community and an awareness of civic and social participation and ethical and informed decision-making

Digital Technology - develop computer and Internet skills and the ability to retrieve, manage, and evaluate digital information

Information Management - develop the skills necessary to collect, verify, document, and organize information from a variety of sources

Interpersonal - develop effective leadership, teamwork, relationship management, conflict resolution, and workplace skills

Mathematical - develop the skills necessary to understand and apply mathematical concepts and reasoning and to analyze and interpret various types of data

Personal - develop an ability to understand and manage self, adapt to change, enhance wellness, and learn effectively, as well as a framework for aesthetic responsiveness

Thinking and Problem Solving - develop the skills necessary for analysis, synthesis, evaluation, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, and the creative process

Curriculum Inventory

In Fall 2001, all departments were asked to conduct an initial learning outcomes inventory of their courses. The results were used to create workgroups who define specific criteria for each outcome.

Commitment and Collaboration Faculty, Administrators and Specialists - 96 professionals from 31 academic areas - working together to help students succeed in the 21st Century.Communication SkillsChair William Wall English Professor

Suellyn Winkle English ProfessorSusan Miller English ProfessorCarole Windser English ProfessorBob Connelly Academic Resources and College PrepLen Koch Business ProfessorSteve Lodle Creative Arts and Humanities ProfessorGregg Jones Creative Arts and Humanities ProfessorAnne Lisca Humanities ProfessorGeorg Volweiller Social Sciences: Anthropology ProfessorPaul Stephen Director/Professor: Respiratory Care Program

Community SkillsChair David Tegeder History Professor

David Price Social Sciences and HistoryTunga Lergo Social Sciences and HistoryGuillermo Ramos Creative Arts and Humanities ProfessorManny Martinez English ProfessorAnne Martin-Sagrini Business Programs ProfessorEd Braddy Academic Resources, Access/Retention Specialist

Digital Technology SkillsChair Eugene Jones Director of Information Technology Education

Brent Swanson Creative Arts ProfessorManny Martinez English ProfessorCathy Swan Education ProfessorLiz Drake ITE Professor/Software Applications

Information Management SkillsChair Diane Rankin Nursing Programs Professor

Myra Sterett Library DirectorAnne Martin-Segrini Health Information SciencesDebbie Reid ITE Program TechnologyFeryl Wright Humanities/ReligionAnne LIsca Humanities and Creative ArtsDeborah Holms Howard HumanitiesBob Brinson Geography ProfessorMIchael Fugate Radiologic TechnologyStelio Marchianno Nuclear medicineRuss Johnson SonographyPat Alyward Nursing Programs

Interpersonal SkillsChair Alan Pappas Behavioral Sciences Faculty

Judith McBride Behaviorial Sciences FacultyBruce Tucker Leadership InstituteRon Chappell CTP Automotive Services ManagementReeda Fullington Health Sciences DirectorMarcia Wehr Psychology ProfessorCarole Marquis Academic Resources/ESL ProfessorJacqueline Whitmore Psychology ProfessorRichard McDonald CTP/AC Refrigeration and HeatingLamar Jacks Psychology ProfessorSue Jester Creative Arts Professor

Mathematical SkillsChair Kristine Griffin Math Professor

Cheryl Krauth ITE ProfessorSaran George Math ProfessorKarim Diff Physical Sciences/PhysicsJeff Tenant Math/Academic ResourcesMark Dicks Math/Academic Resources

Personal SkillsChair Matthew Newell Creative Arts and Humanities Professor

Ouida McNeil Academic ResourcesJay O'Leary English ProfessorJai Levengood Psychology ProfessorPeter Burton Psychology ProfessorKathy LeBlanc Behavioral Sciences ProfessorDonna Musselman Behavioral Sciences ProfessorClark Wheeler Business Programs ProfessorMarcey Corey Health Sciences HCOP Coordinator

Thinking and Problem Solving SkillsCo-Chair Dawn Graziani Reading ProfessorCo-Chair Mapi Cuevas Natural Sciences Professor

Jay Shafer Professor CPT Program (Health)Cathy Swan Education ProfessorLinda Tyson Natural Sciences/Biology ProfessorWilliam Bower English ProfessorLewis Nellinger Automotive ProgramsJessica Blackburn Academic Resources, Writing ProfessorSusan Crosson Business Professor

Student Learning OutcomesCommunication

comprehend, analyze, and evaluate written materials appropriate to program area and necessary for personal enrichment and community participation

compose and revise written materials appropriate to program area and necessary for personal enrichment and community participation

compose and deliver oral messages appropriate to the intended audience.

indicate attention and comprehension by responding in a manner appropriate to the message and the source

use, recognize, and comprehend nonverbal messages in ways appropriate to a given context

select communication skills appropriate to the context

develop effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, and nonverbal communication skills

Student Learning OutcomesCommunity

comprehend, analyze, and evaluate societies and cultures from a variety of perspectives

understand the expectations, obligations, and processes of local and global citizenship

explain the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of their ideas, and how those ideas relate to their decisions

understand social and cultural conventions within their historical contexts

develop an understanding of diversity/pluralism in the world community and an awareness of civic and social participation and ethical and informed decision-making

Student Learning OutcomesDigital Technology

understand and manage files on appropriate system platforms understand and evaluate web browsers and email clients as

research and communication tools use a word processor as a writing tool

develop computer and Internet skills and the ability to retrieve, manage, and evaluate digital information

Student Learning OutcomesInformation Management

collect information and carry out discipline-specific research using relevant and appropriate sources

analyze information for usefulness, accuracy, authority, bias, currency, and coverage

acknowledge sources of information in appropriate style standards

synthesize collected and experienced information, ideas, and materials into original work in discipline-specific formats

develop the skills necessary to collect, verify, document, and organize information from a variety of sources

Student Learning OutcomesInterpersonal

understand the importance of interpersonal sensitivity, and mutual respect understand and acknowledge diverse opinions, cultures, and individual

differences understand the role of emotions and behaviors in building productive

relationships apply productive work ethics and habits use collaboration, teamwork, and group presentation skills determine goals, develop plans, make ethical decisions, solve problems

and articulate ideas with individuals and groups understand how to resolve conflict

develop effective leadership, teamwork, relationship management, conflict resolution, and workplace skills

Student Learning OutcomesMathematical

analyze and interpret quantitative data verbally, graphically, symbolically, and numerically

communicate quantitative data verbally, graphically, symbolically, and numerically

appropriately integrate technology into mathematical processes use mathematical concepts in problem-solving through integration of

new material and modeling understand and apply mathematical skills necessary to function in all

phases of society

develop the skills necessary to understand and apply mathematical concepts and reasoning and to analyze and interpret various types of data

Student Learning OutcomesPersonal

manage time effectively, employ goal-setting skills, and practice self-assessment skills

manifest personal resilience, tolerate ambiguity, and transfer previously acquired knowledge and skills to new situations

demonstrate an awareness of the factors that promote physcial, emotional, and mental well-being

foster a sense of personal value and meaning use relevant learning tools/resources and skills/strategies recognize the importance of life-long learning demonstrate an awareness of cultural values and biases, appreciate

unconventional thinking, and take intellectual risk

develop an ability to understand and manage self, adapt to change, enhance wellness, and learn effectively, as well as a framework for aesthetic responsiveness

Student Learning OutcomesThinking and Problem Solving

identify and define problems clearly gather, analyze, and synthesize data relevant to a problem select and assess solutions appropriate to the context evaluate consequences and revise the thinking process ask and answer questions appropriate to the learning context explore alternative goals and approaches and different viewpoints apply specialized knowledge to larger contexts, make connections across

disciplines, and link ideas in ways new to the thinker strive for originality pursue high intellectual and academic standards

develop the skills necessary for analysis, synthesis, evaluation, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, and the creative process

Curriculum Inventory

In Fall 2002, all departments were asked to conduct a learning outcomes inventory of their courses. The results were used to create for Santa Fe’s first “curriculum maps”—mapping how students completing AA general education or AS/AAS program requirements experienced these learning outcomes.

Curriculum Map

The resulting curriculum maps will be shared with the College Senate’s General Education Committee for use in establishing the next AA-GenEd package and refining AS/AAS program curricula—assuring that all Santa Fe graduates will attain the learning outcomes through the college’s required curriculum.

Learning Outcomes Project and Institutional Effectiveness Aligning the official curriculum/program requirements with the received

curriculum/program requirements, assuring quality and equity for all students

Providing a framework for assessing general education Matching course outcomes to demonstrated student academic needs and

upper division/workplace requirements Clarifying course goals and outcomes for students and faculty by linking

course descriptions to syllabi to assignments Providing opportunities for non-traditional, flexible learning opportunities

that promote access, retention, and completion (e.g., experiential learning, interdisciplinary courses, accelerated degree tracks, etc.)

Next Steps

Dr. Jeffrey Seybert, Director of Institutional Research at Johnson County Community College, will be at Santa Fe on February 20 & 21 to address community college assessment strategies and the assessment of learning outcomes

Curtis Jefferson, Dawn Graziani, and William Wall will represent Santa Fe at the League’s Innovations conference, presenting on Santa Fe’s approach to and success with integrating learning outcomes into the fabric of college academic life.

Finally…

The College must be able to measure and document the attainment of the outcomes, and the rest of Year Three (2002-2003) will be dedicated to the Assessment and Documentation.

The Learning Outcomes Taskforce is “sunset” as a taskforce as of March 2003, turning over its collective body of work to the College Senate’s General Education committee as a framework for college curriculum review.