Area: First Yeaf Experience

Participants:

Cara Statucki
Shawn Dubiago
Gail Pendleton
Paula Coil
Hermia Yam
Allene Young
Joan Berezin

Research Question:

What is the experience like for our students in their first year at BCC?

Research Methods:

Created an electronic survey that will be distributed to students.

Findings:

1. 90% of students were interested in attending presentations where instructors would share information about majors and careers;
2. Students mainly learned about programs and resources from their teachers (43%);
3. 40% reported receiving no help when choosing their classes;
4. More more in the report.

Resolutions:

1. Educate teachers about college information;
2. Provide more information for students in a number of media;
3. Help with goal setting and academic planning;
4. Follow up survey to see why students who plan to transfer aren’t taking English or math classes

Final Report:

FIG First Year Experience Spring 2011

 

Area: English

Participants:

Blake Hausman
Amy Zink
Jenny Lowood
Scott Hoshida

Research Question:

How do we help students to improve their skills conducting research and writing research papers?

Resolutions:

1. The English Department has shifted its focus to a portfolio assessment and changed its stance on the research project. Rather than a long final research paper, instructors will assign at least two smaller research papers.

Final Report:

 

 

Area: ESL (Technology)

Participants:

Laurie Brion
Venus Chung Tritasavit
Gabrielle Winer

Research Question:

How can we best incorporate technology to meet our language learners’ needs?

Resolutions:

1. Encourage instructors to use eperalta.org and other online sources because it supports student learning;
2. Develop effective methods of gathering student feedback on technology use in classroom;
3. Provide all students with full access to the internet and computers and possibly other methods for using technology;
4. Front-load technology issues with students.

Final Report:

 

 

Area: ESL

Participants:

Ellen Rosenfield
Patricia Seery
Cara Statucki
James Seger

Research Question:

What are student responses to proposed changes in our ESL program curriculum?

Resolutions:

1. Will not add a unit to ESL writing classes. While immigrant students supported the proposed increase in units in writing classes, international students were strongly against such a change;
2. Since ESL students often take (and benefit from) courses throughout the disciplines, the ESL department should exercise caution before adding units to ESL courses;
3. Consider offering 4-unit grammar and speaking courses (rather than 5 unit courses);
4. Offer a variety of 2-unit elective courses that focus on specific topics;
5. When possible, course offerings should reflect the needs of the ESL student population, which may mean using a different approach than other ESL departments in PCCD.

Final Report: