OD Corner: Perkins Grant Supports Collaboration Between Vocational/Technical and Arts and Sciences Programs
The College was happy to receive a professional development grant to support its work related to assessment. This project, called "Assessing for Learning" (AFL), provides an opportunity for faculty across the curriculum to gain a better understanding of each others' programs while developing practical skills to facilitate learning. The AFL leadership team for this project includes Chris Fay, Sherian Howard, and Lewis Lightner representing the vocational/technical divisions and Trent Codd, Randee Goodstadt, and Chris Tibbetts representing Arts and Sciences. Other team members include Dr. Sharon Morrissey, Deborah Lonon, Rusty Holmes, and Carol Rovello, who serves as the facilitator.
As part of A-B Tech's regional reaffirmation of accreditation compliance review, the college evaluated its approach to learning outcomes assessment. Responding to the national focus on assessment of learning outcomes, department chairs and instructional administrators developed a new course outline format and rewrote all course descriptions to include:
- Course learning outcomes/objectives
- General education competencies taught (Arts and Sciences courses) or reinforced (vocational/technical courses)
- Learning activities for each outcome/objective
- Assessment strategies for each outcome/objective
The development of updated course outlines is only the first step in the College's efforts to create a seamless approach to outcomes assessment. The second, critical step is professional development to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of faculty in assessing student learning outcomes. To successfully create capstone courses, final exams, portfolios, or final projects that facilitate and verify student attainment of competencies, vocational/technical faculty will need to learn how to:
- Identify and validate program competencies that can be measured through capstone courses, exams, or projects
- Write measurable learning objectives
- Create learning experiences that directly support the attainment of learning objectives
- Identify assessment methodologies that are linked to instructional objectives and experiences
- Develop and utilize rubrics to assess the achievement of competencies
The aim of this project is two-fold: (1) to foster widespread faculty expertise about assessment and the use of effective learning assessment tools; and (2) to improve the ability of faculty to use assessment results to improve programs. Through this collaborative process, vocational/technical and college transfer instructors will strengthen the link between vocational/technical and general education teaching/learning strategies and assessment methodologies. They will also strengthen their relationships as they continue to identify ways to help their students to be successful.
OD Calendar - November
3 College Transfer Advising for new Advisors
4 General Academic Advising for new Advisors
4 Benefits/Wellness Fair
9 Advising Financial Aid Students
11 Collaborating with Word
17 Performance Management (also offered on Dec. 2 and 3)
Together We Read
The Reader's Theatre Troupe performs selections from "Our Southern Highlanders" in Ferguson Auditorium during the Together We Read program at A-B Tech. Cast members are from left, David Holcombe, English/Communications Instructor; Lee Swendsen, Biology Instructor; Dr. Deborah Harmon, Director of Counseling; and Barbara Brownsmith, Coordinator of Adult Basic Skills.
A Musical Story
John Kidd performs traditional Scottish music on his bagpipes on the Beech Tree Deck during A-B Tech's weeklong celebration of "Together We Read," the region-wide reading and discussion program.