Developing a First Year Developing a First Year Experience at a - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Developing a First Year Developing a First Year Experience at a Research Experience at a Research University University Marilyn Kurata, Ph.D. Marilyn Kurata, Ph.D. Director of Core Curriculum Enhancement Director of Core Curriculum Enhancement 2011 Annual FYE Conference 2011 Annual FYE Conference February 8, 2011 February 8, 2011 1

UAB Profile UAB Profile • Part of UA system with UA and UAH • 17, 543 students • 12% live on campus, including 65% of freshmen • 2,067 FT faculty and 16,372 other work force • Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, & Public Health • College of Arts & Sciences and Schools of Business, Engineering, Health Professions, & Nursing • Highest Carnegie Foundation tier in both research activity and community engagement categories the university of alabama at 2 birmingham

Our First Year Experience Our First Year Experience • Discussion Book program • First Year Experience course • Support Mechanisms – Advising Curriculum – Early Alert System – Supplemental Instruction the university of alabama at 3 birmingham

Discussion Books at UAB Discussion Books at UAB 2005 The Spirit Catches You & You Fall Down 2006 The Kite Runner 2007 All Over but the Shoutin’ 2008 Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change 2009 Mountains Beyond Mountains 2010 Outcasts United the university of alabama at 4 birmingham

Discussion Book Success Discussion Book Success Factors Factors • Presidential endorsement • Faculty and staff-driven • Link to undergraduate learning outcomes • Range of support activities • Community partnerships • Assessment & feedback the university of alabama at 5 birmingham

Discussion Book Impact Discussion Book Impact the university of alabama at 6 birmingham

The First FYE Courses: The First FYE Courses: Freshman Learning Freshman Learning Communities Communities • LCNU 101 Body and Brain Power • EH 101 Freshman Composition I • PY 101 Intro to Psychology • LCS 101 Exploring Birmingham • EH 101 Freshman Composition I • SOC 100 Intro to Sociology • LCEG Accepting the Engineering Challenge • EH 101 Freshman Composition I • MA 125 Calculus • CH 115/116 General Chemistry I and Lab the university of alabama at 7 birmingham

Challenges Challenges 1. On- and off-campus unfamiliarity w/ FLCs 2. No student incentives 3. Changing student demographics 4. Competing departmental imperatives 5. Economic downturn the university of alabama at 8 birmingham

FYE Options Expanded FYE Options Expanded • Freshman Learning Communities – Proposed by faculty – Proposed by department or school • Stand Alone FYE courses – U101 The University Experience – FYE developed by school or department the university of alabama at birmingham

How All FYE Options are Alike How All FYE Options are Alike • Training workshops for faculty • Participation in Early Alert System • Assessment via EBI First Year Initiative Survey • Coverage of 10 mandated FYE topics • 4 specific required assignments the university of alabama at 10 birmingham

Mandated FYE Topics Mandated FYE Topics 1. Structure and Mission of UAB 2. Faculty Expectations and student responsibilities 3. Academic Policies, including the Academic Honor Code 4. Academic advising & career planning 5. Academic survival skills 6. Time management 7. Financial management 8. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle 9. Library research resources 10. Campus involvement opportunities the university of alabama at 11 birmingham

How FYE Options Difger How FYE Options Difger • Number of credit hours & instructors • Course format • Course emphasis or focus • Restricted or unrestricted enrollment • Maximum enrollment • Level of out-of-class engagement • Effectiveness in achieving FYE objectives the university of alabama at 12 birmingham

FYI data on FYE Impact FYI data on FYE Impact ----- Course improved Satisfaction with College or University ----- Course improved Knowledge of Academic Services ----- Course improved Knowledge of Campus Policies ----- Course improved Managing Time & Priorities ----- Course increased Out-of-Class Engagement the university of alabama at birmingham

Lessons Learned Lessons Learned • Establish a FYE Coordinating Committee • Require FYE faculty development workshops • Collect and share assessment data – to revise FYEs – to improve faculty development – to demonstrate effectiveness of FYEs • Be flexible • Be persistent the university of alabama at 14 birmingham

Contact Information Contact Information Marilyn Kurata, Ph.D. Core Curriculum Enhancement (205) 996-6420 mkurata@uab.edu the university of alabama at 15 birmingham