-1 votes
I disagreeIt seems that in the current focus on things like "student success" and "achieving [some type of] dream" we have abandoned the need to understand if and what our students are actually learning in the process. Is the assessment of actual student learning a practical priority, or has it become a 'third rail' in education?
18 votes
I disagreeCommunity colleges generate amazing student learning outcomes but numbers don't inspire--stories do. A college in California is seeing lives changed by simply featuring stories (posters) of students who have overcome daunting obstacles, discovered hidden strengths, received help from unexpected mentors, completed their academic and professional goals, and even experienced transforming epiphanies in the midst of their ...more »
Community colleges generate amazing student learning outcomes but numbers don't inspire--stories do. A college in California is seeing lives changed by simply featuring stories (posters) of students who have overcome daunting obstacles, discovered hidden strengths, received help from unexpected mentors, completed their academic and professional goals, and even experienced transforming epiphanies in the midst of their studies. Many of the amazing stories combine all the above experiences.
EXAMPLE: Christian Ramirez: Documented learning disability, first generation college student, failing basic skills Math, Reading, English, believed he was “destined to be a failure” THEN: Professors reached out, learned study skills, grades improved, gained confidence, became president of Honors Society, 2010 All-California Academic Team’s First Team, One of 50 nationally recognized as Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar, Citrus College 2010 Man-of-the-Year. NOW: UCLA Math and Economics major.
To see Christian’s story and many other examples, go to http://citruscollege.edu/mycitrusstory
Students see themselves in the faces of others when they stop, read, and reflect on their peers’ experiences. Some are inspired to be purposeful about discovering and creating their own story. By documenting and showcasing examples of changed lives, this college is giving fresh and relevant answers to questions such as, “Why am I working on this research paper again?” or “Why is it important to show up on time for class?” or “Do I really belong in college?” The answers to these and many other questions are tucked inside each account of unexpected accomplishment.
Believing that students often rise to the level of our expectations, faculty members strive to treat them as if they already were the scholars and practitioners they one day will become. The stories prove that when faculty and students teach, learn, discover, and overcome obstacles together in an atmosphere of respect, belief, and diligence, wonderful things can happen. By focusing on real-life examples the college seeks to create the expectation that discovery will happen and accomplishment is the norm for everyone.
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30 votes
I disagreeI suggest that community colleges reduce redundant and unnecessary administrative positions and use the savings to put more full-time teaching faculty into the classroom. Students do not succeed because a college has 28 individuals working in human resources, because a college president makes $300,000+/year, or because of a redundant administrative structure at each of its branch campuses. Students succeed because of ...more »
I suggest that community colleges reduce redundant and unnecessary administrative positions and use the savings to put more full-time teaching faculty into the classroom. Students do not succeed because a college has 28 individuals working in human resources, because a college president makes $300,000+/year, or because of a redundant administrative structure at each of its branch campuses. Students succeed because of the hard work and dedication of their professors. At too many community colleges, administrators outnumber the full-time faculty. The lack of faculty representation on Dr. Biden's panel only underscores the problem here.
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1 vote
I disagreePersonal Priorities (in $Thousands) => NATIONAL PRIORITIES (in $Millions) "Innovation-through-Inverse-Power-Law" ($100, Rank1) New AAS Degree in Instrumentation and Control Technologies. Adaptable tools, techniques and technologies crucial for Innovations*** (New courses using Excel, LabVIEW, Multisim, Data Acquisition, Motion Control, Machine Vision, Minitab, Lean Six Sigma, and required Internships in diverse industries) ...more »
Personal Priorities (in $Thousands) => NATIONAL PRIORITIES (in $Millions) "Innovation-through-Inverse-Power-Law"
($100, Rank1) New AAS Degree in Instrumentation and Control Technologies. Adaptable tools, techniques and technologies crucial for Innovations*** (New courses using Excel, LabVIEW, Multisim, Data Acquisition, Motion Control, Machine Vision, Minitab, Lean Six Sigma, and required Internships in diverse industries)
($62, Rank2) Public-Private partnerships: Economic/Workforce Development agencies, engage area/regional industries in curriculum development in new campus center in Victor, NY high-tech corridor. Hardwired to Ontario County Fiber Optic Ring, another public-private partnership innovation recognized by Harvard University's Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
($46, Rank3) Out Innovate challenges, and celebrate joy of learning new things -- innovative problem solving, brain-based teaching, hands-on active learning, writing to learn, case studies.
($38, Rank4) Make math irresistible using visualization tools (videogame physics engines), then use tools (Excel, LabVIEW, MATLAB etc.) to accelerate math intake for students of every age.
($32, Rank5) Innovate on-line physics w/labs, pathway to technology and engineering curricula (Remote Data Acquisition, Control of Instruments, Robots, PID Ctrl etc.) - on-line college directed/innovated by Larry Dugan
($29, Rank6) Make math and science relevant to everyone: from poets to politicians (Fractals, Chaos Theory, Self-organization and Complexity for students at Honor's House, directed by Curt Nehring Bliss)
($26, Rank7) Walk an extra mile for sincere student who needs attention, and run marathon to challenge the very best students.
($23, Rank8) Introduce tools of advanced automation control and game technologies to artists and humanists to broaden their career choices.
($21, Rank9) Model Humanistic Synthesis for students of science, engineering, and technology to help them break out of their fortresses.
($20, Rank10) Build Learning Organizations, and cheer-on accessible education for everyone, at any age, via web (Khan Academy to MIT Open Course Ware) x 100
*** Innovations in High-tech, Smart-tech industries - for real-time monitoring/improving/securing health of people, crops, machinery, networks and infrastructure [IBM's "Smart Planet"] "New Liberal Arts Degree for Emerging Technologies" -- FLCC Dean & VP Topping.
The trend-line for the graph of "importance Budget$" vs. Rank follows Pareto distribution fashioned after actual Rank Vs. Votes distribution in this WHCC Summit forum (for the Positive Votes after Rank 10), as of 2010.09.30 -- a signature of Self-organization in the Voting Pattern here. (samantpg@flcc.edu) Sam Samanta (585) 785 1105
http://www.flcc.edu/academics/instrumentation/index.cfm
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4 votes
I disagreeAs media centric society the education systems often neglect the impact media has on the culture and learning habits of students. While it is very important for students to connect with their instructors in physical classroom, it is just as important to give students every chance to learn. Media should be an important part of every classroom as a complementary educational piece that supports each instructor’s lesson ...more »
As media centric society the education systems often neglect the impact media has on the culture and learning habits of students. While it is very important for students to connect with their instructors in physical classroom, it is just as important to give students every chance to learn. Media should be an important part of every classroom as a complementary educational piece that supports each instructor’s lesson plan and expected outcomes.
Using media in the form of audio/video podcasts, streaming videos, instructional DVD's, online discussion boards, & and the many other forms can help community college students be better students. By offering multiple avenues for the students to learn we stand a better chance of creating an atmosphere of success.
We are fortunate that media tools like video cameras, web hosting, audio recording, and so much more are at very affordable prices. This allows each instructor to create personalized and specific content for their courses that will supply students with the necessary tools to become competent in the course content.
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19 votes
I disagreeI have been teaching success strategies to adult students at a California community college for the last 25 years. The skills students develop in these courses play a significant part in them achieving their academic goals. The skills can also easily be applied to achieve success in the workplace and in one's personal life. This type of course is taught in many community colleges, but isn't often given credit for its ...more »
I have been teaching success strategies to adult students at a California community college for the last 25 years. The skills students develop in these courses play a significant part in them achieving their academic goals. The skills can also easily be applied to achieve success in the workplace and in one's personal life. This type of course is taught in many community colleges, but isn't often given credit for its role in student success. This should be discussed as a major topic at the Washington DC Summit on Community Colleges.
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