Friday, Feb. 22, 2019

Critical Thinking Guides All on the Pathways

Guided Pathways Logo


Looking through the lens of our ICC:

Critical Thinking

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Schedule of Events

Continental Breakfast: 8:30-9 a.m.

Join us for Continental breakfast in Kirsch Center Lobby

Morning General Session: 9-11:15 a.m. 

The Kirsch Center KC 115

Welcome from your SLO/SSLO/AU Coordinators and Faculty Director, Professional & Organizational Development

LOAC Award: English and Reading Departments will present their post 2018 LOAC award assessment led by Kristin Skager

Students, Classified Professional, Faculty will gather to critically map a pathway for students to follow in reaching their goals.

  • Framing Guided Pathways activity as assessment of ILO Critical Thinking
  • Groups composed of students, faculty and staff map a course of study at De Anza College

Apply for 2019 LOAC Award

Breakout Sessions:  11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

On The Means and Ends of Teaching Critical Thinking (KC 112)

Presenter

Rich Booher

Location

Kirsch Center - KC 112

Description

Summary: Critical thinking is one of the core competencies that our college aims to teach.  What is critical thinking? Why do we aim to teach it?  Can it be taught?  If so, how?  I will discuss skeptical arguments that have been made about teaching critical thinking.  We will consider how one might respond to them.

AB 705 Across Campus

Presenter

Jerry Rosenberg & Kristin Skager 

Location

Kirsch Center -  KC 113

Equity Work in Action: How doing this work benefits ALL – students, faculty, and staff   

Presenter

Alicia Cortez & Mallory Newell

Location

Kirsch Center - KC 115

SSLO/AUO Workshop

Presenter

Veronica Acevedo Avila

Location

Advanced Technology Center - AT 204

Description

This session will focus on learning and reviewing the Student Service Learning Outcome (SSLO) and Administrative Unit Outcome (AUO) process through practical guidance and application.

SLO Workshop

Presenter

Mary Pape

Location

Advanced Technology Center - AT 311 (Top floor)

Description

This session will be focused on part-time faculty needs, but it will serve as a refresher for all who need to assess a course.

Lunch: 12:30-1:30 p.m. 

Lunch Fireside Room Hinson Campus Center 

Afternoon Happenings: 1-3 p.m. 

Help Shop! 

Location

Advanced Technology Center - AT 205

Description

Work together on assessments. Veronica Acevedo Avila and Mary Pape will be their to answer any questions/doubts.

Assessment documentation for the general session of 2019 Convocation.

The responses of the post-survey of attendees was incorporated into the data summary, reflection, and enhancement pieces.

Outcome:
Attendees will use a student-centered approach to critically and empathetically understand students’ education path from entrance to completion.

Assessment: Conference attendees worked in randomly assigned groups, consisting of faculty, classified staff and students, to complete a “program map” handout. This handout included a graph of several quarters illustrated in a yearly format, a space to write the number of academic units per course, and a list of academic, major and general education requirements. Groups were asked to use the program review handout, as well as a case study scenario of a given student, to map the student’s academic plan given their particular life circumstances. After groups were given ample time to review the student’s particular case scenario and map out an academic program, they reported  their progress to the larger group.

Assessment Summary and Reflection: SLO Committee members asked each group to give a brief summary of their work. As was predicted in the learning outcome statement, groups said they realized how difficult it was to navigate the college experience and reported the following: the challenge of finding campus resources and online classes, difficulty in getting “connected,” the challenge of finding the right major if one has varied interests, the difficulty students encounter balancing work and school life, life traumas, lack of funding for college, childcare and lack of on-campus resources for families with young children, family obligations, the difficulty of navigating the college website, and a lack of resources available to most students.

Many groups empathically spoke about the above-mentioned challenges students encountered while trying to obtain either a degree or preparing for transfer or both. The process of navigating the school system while balancing work and family alerted most attendees to the obstacles students confront while trying to complete their education. Some groups stated it was easier for them to create a student plan because a member of their working group was either a counselor, student, or they were familiar with the various campus resources, services and/or classes. In other words, individuals who were more knowledgeable about student services and educational planning were able to assume a leadership role within their groups.

Enhancement:

Overall, the group activity was a huge success, as stated from both a formal on-line survey and anecdotal information that was shared with SLO members. The on-line survey also confirmed the collegiality between and among faculty, staff and student groups. Additionally, most survey respondents stated that gained a deeper understanding of the multiple pathways to obtaining a certificate and/or degree. Furthermore, over 75% of survey respondents stated the group activity provided a means to learn about a campus service, and 88% stated they learned about non-instructional and instructional aspects of the campus through their working groups. Close to 90% of respondents stated this activity instilled empathy about what students experience in the college trajectory, and they also stated they would benefit from this type of experience if offered at future campus events. Last, faculty stated the Dean Of Equity along with a Board of Trustee member’s presence illustrated a warm collegiality and a sense of support.

Recommendations:

·         The SLO team will continue to foster activities that include working with students, faculty and classified staff across the college campus spectrum.

·         The SLO team would like to continue working with all members of the campus including staff, administrators, and faculty members. But what appears to be paramount is the inclusion of students.

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