Richland College Improving Accounting
Student Success through Caring Behaviors
Lamrot Bekele, Accounting Faculty Dwight Riley, Associate Dean, Instructional Support
Michael Packer, Accounting Student
1
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
2
Approximately 2,500 accounting students annually
ACCT 2301 – Principles of Accounting I is a gatekeeper course (high enrollment/low success)
Began Achieving the Dream Initiative in Fall 2009
Richland College Accounting Program
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Student Success Accounting Results Achieving the Dream Initiative
3
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Achieving the Dream Accounting Initiative Actions
4
Participate in Understanding our Students professional development
Identify strategies for improving the learning environment and student success
Participate in Caring Behaviors training
Apply Caring Behaviors Fall 2010
Administer Caring Behaviors surveys beginning Spring 2011
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Caring Behaviors - Assumptions
Faculty with high retention and student success rates exhibit similar behaviors and characteristics.
Applying Caring Behaviors and related strategies can improve the learning environment and student success without a reduction in rigor.
5
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
6
Caring Behaviors
Shows empathy Helpful
Role model Relaxed, open-minded
Competent Motivating
Shows sensitivity Flexible
Encourages students Reinforcing
Available outside of class Genuineness
Respectful Ava Miller, Ph.D., Nursing Education
North Central University
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Caring Behaviors and Related Strategies –
Competent
7
Selected quality materials and online learning resources
Aligned learning outcomes, assignments, and exams
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
8
Caring Behaviors and Related Strategies –
Available Outside of Class
Lecture and exam review videos available 24/7 for online and face-to-face students
Tutoring resources available on campus and online
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
9
Caring Behaviors and Related Strategies –
Helpful
Provide chapter outlines highlighting key learning objectives and concepts
Offer individual assistance during class while students work on practice assignments
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
10
Caring Behaviors and Related Relaxed, Open-Minded
Strategies
Welcome students individually as they enter class
Be well-prepared for class (includes the use of departmental assignments and exams)
Play in the classroom
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Caring Behaviors Survey Results
11
3.70
3.80
3.90
4.00
4.10
4.20
4.30
4.40
4.50
4.60
4.70
4.80
4.90
5.00
Empathy Model Competent Sensitivity Students of Class Respectful Helpful Open-MindedMotivating Flexible ReinforcingGenuineness
Shows Role Shows Encourages Outside Relaxed
Available
ACCT 2301 - 2011SP
A B C DInstructor
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
Caring Behaviors Analysis Spring 2011
12
Instructor Average A, B, C Grade %
4.79 79%
4.70 74%
4.60 72%
4.26 33%
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
13
3.70
3.80
3.90
4.00
4.10
4.20
4.30
4.40
4.50
4.60
4.70
4.80
4.90
5.00
5.10
ShowsEmpathy
RoleModel Competent
ShowsSensitivity
EncouragesStudents
AvailableOutsideof Class Respectful Helpful
RelaxedOpen-MindedMotivating Flexible Reinforcing Genuineness
Instructors
Caring Behaviors Survey Results ACCT 2301 - 2012SP
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
14
Caring Behaviors Analysis Spring 2012
Instructor Average A, B, C Grade %
4.86 76%
4.85 61%
4.81 89%
4.73 65%
4.63 67%
4.56 77%
4.41 55%
Richland College Teaching, Learning, Community Building
15
Caring Behaviors – Lessons Learned
Caring Behaviors may be used as a framework for creating a positive, caring learning environment.
Applying Caring Behaviors fosters the development of meaningful relationships that help students succeed.