Faculty Coach Project Reports

At the close of the Spring 2011 term, each Faculty Coach submitted a report detailing the processes of data analysis and project development undertaken by his/her department. The reports demonstrate the wide variety of creative solutions departments are pursing to resolve instructional challenges and promote student success. These reports:

Faculty Coaches structured these reports according to a template provided by Instructional Development Services (viewable here) that outlines the stages of the instructional design process. Given the unique approach of each department, the varied requirements of the projects, and the different timelines for Cohort 1 (starting in Fall 2009) and Cohort 2 (starting in Fall 2010), Faculty Coaches fall in all stages, ranging from initial analysis of data to evaluation of implemented projects.

Cohort 1 (started in 2009) Cohort 2 (started in 2010)
Allied Health

The Allied Health Science Department aims to increase completion rates of HPRS 1206 Medical Terminology by regularly administering online pre-lecture quizzes that provide students with immediate performance feedback. Read the full report.

Biology

Enhancements to instruction in biology fundamentals increase student success in target courses and persistence in subsequent courses. Read the full report.

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice improves completion rates for distance learning courses by utilizing textbook publisher's Blackboard course plug-ins. Read the full report.

Developmental Reading

Developmental Reading revises student assessment practices to ensure students exit DEVR 0320 with a specified minimum reading level, thereby increasing student success in subsequent coursework. Read the full report.

Developmental Writing

Striving to increase student retention, Developmental Writing implements strategies to help students feel more connected to peers, faculty, campus resources and technology. Read the full report.

ESOL

Supplemental Instruction boosts student success in an ESOL writing and grammar course that had experienced declining completion rates in previous years. Read the full report.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language Department plans to combat high attrition rates in Spanish I by implementing learning communities. Read the full report.

Math/ Developmental Math

A new course focusing on mathematical thinking and employing collaborative learning techniques improves success of non-math/science majors in Developmental Math and in subsequent Mathematics credit courses. Read the full report.

Philosophy

The Philosophy Department develops a series of online modules to help students strengthen skills in critical thinking and argument analysis. Read the full report.

Speech

The Speech Department will begin collecting data on student levels of public speaking anxiety. Results will help the department analyze the relationship between anxiety and retention and deliver targeted interventions to students based on anxiety level. Read the full report.

Child Development

Child Development identifies two primary goals: promoting success equity for African American students and increasing the number of students meeting or exceeding expectations on key assessments. Read the full report.

Computer Science

Data analysis indicates the need to revise the departmental assessment test and to use test results to better inform student placement. Read the full report.

Emergency Medical Services Professions

EMSP plans to provide students with additional information prior to enrollment and supplemental instructional materials within the course to improve completion rates in EMSP 1501. Read the full report.

Geology, Physics, Astronomy

The Physical Sciences identified gaps in knowledge of science and math fundamentals as a barrier to student success. The departments intend to develop an assessment test and use the results to direct students to online modules for remediation on specified concepts prior to the start of the semester. Read the full report.

Human Development
Data show that first time in college students who complete HUDE 0111 are more successful in subsequent courses than those who do not. The department will pilot measures to reduce withdrawls and boost success rates in the course. Read the full report.
Psychology and Sociology
Departments collect data on students' perceptions of success, experiences at ACC, and demographic characteristics by administering a survey to students enrolled in high attendance, high attrition "gateway" courses. Read the full report.
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