dr. marlene rosenbaum, fairleigh dickinson university
DESCRIPTION
Building a Learning Community to Assure Quality through the Accreditation Process: Collaboration between Community Colleges, Public and Private Higher Education Institutions. Dr. Marlene Rosenbaum, Fairleigh Dickinson University Dr. Heather Pfleger, Gwynedd Mercy College. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Building a Learning Community to Assure Quality through the
Accreditation Process: Collaboration between
Community Colleges, Public and Private Higher Education
Institutions
Dr. Marlene Rosenbaum, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Dr. Heather Pfleger, Gwynedd Mercy College
Session Learning Outcomes
Appreciate value of meeting with colleagues
Gain specific strategies to assist you in forming a consortium
Learn how to conduct successful meetingsCreate a “learning community” expanding
your knowledge of LOAProvide opportunities for research and
grants
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
What is the thinking behind establishing a consortium?
Why is it worth doing?
How idea evolved: Experiences with the N. J. TEAC Consortium The Middle States Conference—the
Washington group’s experience The NY/NJ Consortium meeting—we
learned that geography played a role.
Why we thought consortium was a good idea:
Overcome isolation when working on LOA
Facilitate sharing of effective strategies & assist with solving common problems
Learn from each other.
ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK
Who, what, when, where?
Getting startedInitial meeting— set agenda,
keep room to allow for member discussion
Focus on constructive issues: how often to meet, where to meet, length of meetings, who will facilitate
Important: do not make this overwhelming time commitment
Who are members?Assessment personnel, institutional
research personnel, & staff representing information technology
Both faculty and staff
Membership continued
• Colleges, universities, and community colleges
• Private and public institutions• Membership is fluid
How to move forward?Membership decides meeting
topics, dates & times & agendasMembers take responsibility for
different roles within the Consortium
Keep formal minutes
• Rotate meeting location, once pattern established.
• Logistics—who pays for meeting space, food? Our model—the host school pays.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
Several expectations are realized
What we discovered out about our Consortium:
Meeting with colleagues facing similar issues and concerns – very valuable!!!
Sense of isolation diminished Learn useful strategies from
other colleges and universities re: LOA
• Get good ideas to avoid pitfalls
• Able to focus on specific topics—data management systems, general education assessment where there is a felt need.
Future Potential BenefitsUse information and data
generated for research projects.Explore the possibilities of using
qualitative research to inform decisions made on assessment practices.
Share with new faculty the possibilities for research re: LOA.
Work with colleagues in the collaborative on grants that support LOA.
Technology: an important tool
Directory with e-mail addresses.Began with Google; switched to
Sakai.Postings regarding conferences,
articles, etc.Blog set up for member
discussions.Minutes uploaded for reference.
Screen shot of minutes in Sakai
The consortium provides support with Middle States Requirements
The PRR—specific recommendations from members.
Sharing of strategies to address Self-Study preparations
Gaining insight into Middle States evaluators’ perspectives.
Discussion of current MSCHE policies
UNEXPECTED BENEFITS
What we did not anticipate gaining
Evolution into a Learning CommunityOpportunity to keep current re:
Middle States policiesExpanding efforts to professional
organizationsEnriching each other as a result of
diverse institutions collaborating
REPLICATING THE CONSORTIUM
Our suggestions
Recommendations
Keep things simple & manageableSpread the workloadBe flexible & value membership inputEncourage members to take
ownershipMake good use of their timeFeed them, and they will come
Discussion and Q & A
We are happy to take your questions
