|
Issue
Academic Class Structure -Scheduling/Credit, Loading
Convener
Gail Shay
Participants
Yvonne Zeka
Diana Hall
Morris Johnson
Geri Rasmussen
Donna Tannehill
Bill Crawford
Nina Mares
Ranae Healy
Dean Stover
|
Discussion and Recommendations
First, we brought up possible formats for class structures:
- 16 week semester
- open exit, not seat time but competency based
- eight weeks
- quarter-system
- year round classes
- academic floor issues
- other intensive formats
- intersessions-two week courses
Look at difficulty of courses-quantity of info in courses, too concurrent vs. sequential
Foster cooperation and collaboration between colleges (minimize FTSE competition)
More planning when assigning courses for the year
Flexibility of schedules-(PASS program-7 weeks, 6 credits)
Open time in middle of day for shared college activities
Coordinate speakers/activities with classes and or faculty
Second, we looked at faculty loading issues:
- count evening classes as part of load
- year round vs. nine months
- release time for alternative delivery; develop criteria
- learning communities
- research
- course development
- ongoing support after up-front support
- prep time for complex learning methodologies
- loading based on diversity or needs of student
- develop an individual faculty plan
- goals and objective
- committees (look at how much work is involved)
- review by chair
- Dean of Instruction
- flexibility of schedule
- start small
- faculty renewal-every three years
What Next
Will explore different loading for Spring 98 for multi-level developmental educational community.
In order to get rid of structural obstacles, toss RFP into the wastebasket and begin to determine how issues of faculty work load etc. can SERVE STUDENTS NEEDS.
I can commit to doing my part as a faculty member in being open and receptive to new ideas. As a faculty we need to commit to working together and assert ourselves to be open to exploring new ideas regarding learning communities and loading. We need to explore a more individualized faculty load and schedule.
Pursue/explore the idea of an individualized faculty plan as a flexible tool for internal faculty growth and loading options.
|
