Using Placement Tests to Improve SLOs and Retention - Course Technology Computing Conference
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The document discusses a placement test initiative at Glendale Community College aimed at improving student success and retention in computer courses. The plan involves using a survey in the SAM system to assess student proficiency before enrollment, thereby ensuring better course alignment and reducing frustration and withdrawal rates. It outlines both student and instructor benefits, including enhanced learning opportunities, consistent class skill levels, and efficient teaching dynamics.
Using Placement Tests to Improve SLOs and Retention - Course Technology Computing Conference
- 1. Using Placement Tests to Improve SLOs and Retention Rachelle Hall and Beth Berry
- 2. Presenters Rachelle Hall • Faculty – Business and Information Technology • Director – Assessment and Program Review • CIS105 Coordinator • SAM user/administrator for 11 years • Technology Power User Beth Berry • Faculty – Business and Information Technology – Accounting and Computer Application courses • Supervisor – BPC programs and courses • SAM administration / user for 10 years
- 3. Glendale Community College – Glendale Community College, Glendale AZ – Enrollment – 19,993 – FTSE – 11,581 – LMS is Canvas – Use SAM for all Office application courses
- 4. Socrative www.socrative.com 1. Click Student Login 2. Join Room #77098
- 5. GCC Courses • CIS105 – Survey of Computer Information Systems – Applications and Concepts – Enrollment – approximately 1,200 per semester • BPC110 – Business Personal Computers – Applications only – Enrollment – approximately 200 per semester • All office application courses – Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint – Enrollment – approximately 500 per semester
- 7. Our Plan • Placement Survey in SAM – Minimum level of proficiency to succeed in CIS105 and BPC110 – Set the competencies of Intro to Computers (BPC101) • If student scored C or below, were recommended to change courses for success • Monitoring students for success patterns • Study will go through Spring of 2014 • Recommendations to President in Summer of 2014 Goal is to have mandatory placement test prior to enrollment
- 8. Student Benefits • Students succeed! • Eliminates the frustration that leads to failure in or withdrawal from the more advanced course • Increased student learning – Instruction is targeted to students at this skill level – More opportunities to collaborate with peers • Students obtain solid computing skills necessary for success in transfer courses • Time and Financial benefits – Students are not spending time or money on a class they will not pass
- 9. Instructor Benefits • Quick and easy set up for multiple sections • Students are properly placed for success • Class is more homogenous – Class flow is not interrupted – Content is covered on schedule • Skill level is more consistent throughout the class – More collaborative opportunities between students – More opportunities for the teaching of advanced skills and “fun” stuff. This allows more time for enhanced and engaged learning