General
Education Philosophy Statement
General Education at Sauk Valley Community College prepares its
graduates for the increasing demands of the workplace and the
expanding responsibilities of the diverse local and global
communities in which they will live and work. Required courses in
communications, mathematics, the physical and life sciences, the
social and behavioral sciences, the humanities and fine arts, and
personal health and development provide students with knowledge,
competencies, and habits of mind conducive to living responsible,
productive, and joyful lives. Within this curricular framework, the
General Education Program will help students develop the following
competencies:
Ethics
Students will be able to:
- Identify ethical issues in a variety of contexts and academic
disciplines and explain their significance.
- Reason about ethical principles and consequences.
Current Assessment Data: The faculty group, based on a
statistically insignificant sample, recommends continuing to
develop common criteria based on the existing objectives. A
subcommittee might consider a pre-post test option if what we value
is change in ethical reasoning, as the existing tools would seem to
indicate. We might also look at whether "diversity" is one context
for ethical reasoning worth isolating as a project or criteria. The
group revisited the emphasis on ethical reasoning as opposed to an
ethical code. So much of ethics is dependent on subculture that the
group was comfortable the existing objectives are the best possible
statements of what the institution's faculty value. (Ethics will be
the subject of institution-wide assessment in 2006-7, at the
completion of which, more significant data should be
available.)
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning:
Students will be able to:
- Interpret and apply appropriate mathematical formulas and
relationships in the appropriate context.
- Perform mathematical computations.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret the
mathematical results of computations.
Current Assessment Data: The faculty discussion group, based
on data pulled from classrooms across the institution, concluded
that SVCC students are able to perform basic math
operations, but are not demonstrating the ability to apply the
operations to life situations across disciplines. The group
recommended other disciplines coordinate their needs with the Math
Department, specifically in investigating adding a lab component to
MAT 106. This would involve learning math operations in class
followed by applications of math concepts in discipline-specific
situations in lab. (Mathematics is the subject of
institution-wide assessment in 2006-7, at the completion of which,
more significant data should be available.)
Problem Solving
Students will be able to:
- Identify problems and the desired outcomes.
- Recognize and evaluate available resources.
- Adapt, organize, and implement solutions or plans of
action.
Current Assessment Data: In the initial year of testing
(2004-5), only two classes provided data, so the testing lacked
statistical significance. The faculty group found that analyzed and
discussed the results expressed concern that problem-solving
ability was below average. It recommended more hands-on activities
addressing this competency. (Problem-solving is the subject of
institution-wide assessment in 2005-6, at the completion of which,
more significant data should be available.)
Communications
Students will be able to:
- Create and revise formal and informal writing assignments that
are clear, coherent, and exhibit a command of Standard
English.
- Develop, organize, rehearse, and deliver formal and informal
oral presentations that are audience appropriate and either
informative or persuasive.
- Demonstrate collaboration in completion of projects and
assignments.
- Demonstrate the ability to read college-level texts by
providing appropriate and critical responses in discussions, tests,
presentations, critiques, and reviews.
- Demonstrate their ability to listen by providing appropriate
and critical response after a listening experience.
Current Assessment Data: In the initial year of testing
(2004-5), data was submitted primarily addressing the oral and
written communication goals. The faculty groups noted that in
classroom data submitted for written work, the faculty only two
classes provided data, so the testing lacked statistical
significance. Across all disciplines, students were weakest in the
areas of purpose, organization, and conclusion. It was determined
through discussion that most instructors meant integral
organization rather than broad paper organization. Instructors'
concerns were centered on transitions and topic sentences. The
group indicated a desire for a set of guidelines presented in
several handouts. In ORAL communications, analysis of the data
indicated that students are unable to transfer skills from one
context to another. The group recommended encouraging students to
take SPE 131 as soon as possible and encouraging all gen ed
instructors to include an oral presentation. (Communication is the
subject of institution-wide assessment in 2005-6, at the completion
of which, more significant data should be available.)
Technology
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate general computer literacy.
- Demonstrate the selection and use of appropriate technologies
for the specific discipline.
Current Assessment Data: In the initial year of testing
(2004-5) the sample lacked statistical significance. The faculty
discussion group concluded student success rate was high for the
reports received. The greater priority is improving the process of
assessing this competency, specifically clarifying what we mean by
technology: Do we mean computer technology or various
instrumentation technologies used by specific departments. The Gen
Ed Subcommittee will address this in developing criteria for the
institution-wide project currently scheduled for 2007-8.
Research
Students will be able to:
- Identify, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information to
generate ideas and concepts.
- Assess the value of a source.
- Identify, describe, and utilize appropriate research tools,
methods, and processes.
Current Assessment Data: There were no data submitted for
this Gen Ed competency project. The Gen Ed Subcommittee determined
that no faculty discussion was necessary. The project is scheduled
for institution-wide assessment in 2006-7.
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