Further Information
Primer of Statistical Tools


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Section Two: Exploring the CAAP Assessment Objectives
Standardized testing of general education allows the institution to
examine the value added by their total educational effort from three perspectives:
 | First, the assessment provides feedback about the total of all
educational activities, not the specifics of courses and disciplines. It focuses on the
whole educational experience. |
 | Second, standardized testing provides a yardstick to compare local
student populations to a national reference. It allows an institution to better understand
how its entering and completing students compare with other students. |
 | Finally, standardized testing allows the institution to examine
educational gains made during a student's experience. |
During Fall Quarter 1998 the Student Outcome Assessment Committee
(SOA) worked to implement a stratified random sample of classes from the general education
categories in entry level classes (100 level) and early sequences. Thirty faculty (full-
and part-time) participated in the administration of the ACT-CAAP test.
The CAAP is composed of six tests: reading, critical thinking,
scientific reasoning, mathematics, and two forms of writing (an objective test and an
essay test). All six tests were administered in each class. This sampling method resulted
in 609 completed and scored tests. The purpose was to capture as many entering or
early-sequence students as possible. (During Spring Quarter 1999 we will gather data from
higher 200 level courses and end-of sequence courses. This method, along with the student
tracking program, should help produce a model of general education development.)
Given the efforts and expenses committed to collecting this
information it seemed appropriate to share a summary of the initial findings concerning
students in 100 and early sequence courses. In this activity you are asked to examine the
outcomes assessed by the tests and to explore how your choices in instruction relate to
general education goals.
Worksheet 2 provides a summary of each test's focus and allows you
the opportunity to relate your instructional activities to that focus. Before examining
the worksheet, it may be helpful to clarify the relationship between content and general
education. The following premises guide our examination:
 | The content of a course is the information, facts, skills, and
activities which are the results of learning objectives and outcome statements published
in the course file. While these objectives are shared among all sections of a class, there
is flexibility and variety in how faculty approach their instructional activities. |
 | Instructional activities and pedagogy, the way we teach and what we
expect students to do, is a fertile ground through which students learn those ideals
expressed in College of DuPage's general education position statement. |
 | Students continue to develop general education competency throughout
their college career. These competencies are an important part of academic success. |
 | The educational process does not mandate a choice between content
knowledge and general education. Rather, it is important for all faculty to attend to
content and pedagogy. Through this attention, each faculty member contributes to each
student's general education competencies. 
|
Connecting CAAP Assessment Objectives With Faculty Courses and Disciplines.
The following table lists each of the CAAP tests and the objectives of each test.
Please consider and rank each objective's importance to general education. Then, in the
column to the right, comment on the listed objective's relationship to student success in
your classes.
Writing
Skills Test (An objective question approach)
The Writing Skills Test measures students understanding of the following conventions
of standard written English: |
| Punctuation. Items in this
category test the use and placement of commas, colons, semicolons, dashes, parentheses,
apostrophes, and quotation, question, and exclamation marks. |
Mean Rank
2.6 |
High
68% |
Medium
28% |
Low
3% |
| Grammar. Items in this
category examine the use of adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions; and test the agreement
between subject and verb, and between pronouns and their antecedents. |
2.7 |
High
80% |
Medium
15% |
Low
3% |
| Sentence structure. Items
in this category test relationships between/among clauses, the placement of modifiers, and
shifts in construction. |
2.8 |
High
85% |
Medium
13% |
Low
0% |
| Organization. Items in
this category test the organization of ideas and the relevance of statements in context
(order, coherence, unity). |
2.8 |
High
85% |
Medium
13% |
Low
0% |
| Strategy. Items in this
category examine the appropriateness of expression in relation to audience and purpose,
the strengthening of writing with appropriate supporting material, and the effective
choice of statement of theme and purpose. |
2.6 |
High
68% |
Medium
18% |
Low
5% |
| Style. Items in this
category test precision and appropriateness in the choice of words and images,
rhetorically effective management of sentence elements, avoidance of ambiguous pronoun
references, and economy in writing. |
2.5 |
High
63% |
Medium
20% |
Low
8% |
| W2 - Comments
on Writing Skills Test This
is easier to learn for most (than other categories) but too many teachers don't teach the
idea of punctuation - that we are deciding how long we want readers to pause - and that
that impacts meaning. This needs to be included with pat punctuation rules. Writing is
thinking. Most students (people) don't know that they think about a give reading (topic)
until they risk/commit those unformed thoughts to ink. This is not stressed enough.
Formulating a sentence is formulating a thought. I'm appalled at how little writing is
required in some courses. Strategy and Style: Important.
Most students have had no exposure as to
how language fits various audience-voice-subject relationships or how to intentionally
construct those relationships.
Students write a research paper on a career
they are interested in. If they don't use correct punctuation, grammar, sentence structure
and organization they receive a lower grade on the assignment. Strategy: Students'
research papers must incorporate this skill or they will receive a lower grade on this
assignment. Style: When Students write a research paper they must demonstrate this skill
or they will receive a lower grade on this assignment.
The students must communicate in both
written and oral forms. I correct the papers, noting not only interpersonal communications
issues, but also the 6 topics to the left.
Overall correct usage is paramount in
English composition courses. It's what we teach and evaluate on papers that students
write. In the Connect program, each student's paper is returned & publicly reviewed
w/grammatical & skills revisions Students work in small discussion groups to craft the
elements of an essay by evaluation & choice of individually submitted statements to
create a group/collaborative essay.
Effective written communication allows
students to demonstrate knowledge of course content and application of concepts in papers
and on exams. Variety of writing assignments - partially evaluated on basis by writing
skills.
Strategy: More important in 200 level than
200 level classes. Style: Writing assignments.
This area relates directly to the students
future success in the business world. My present efforts at supporting this area include
notations on turn-in papers plus strong recommendations that they seed assistance from the
writing center. Strategy and Style: I could refer students to (English 109???) business
writing.
Punctuation has relevance and emphasis, but
I often refer to it as more editing and micro-revisions parts that can be
"easily" fixed. We work through overhead exercises as a group. Without a firm
grip of grammatical rules, students' writing is often miscommunicated. I make an effort to
inject mini grammar lessons in Eng. 081, 082, 083, 101, 102, 103.
Formation of sentences is of high
importance in relationship to effective communication skills. We deconstruct and revise
sentences constantly through peer review and computer lab exercises. Threading an idea
through an essay is a challenging task for students. We concentrate on several components
of organization by looking at models of text.
I encourage freedom of expression. However,
we do spend time on tone and purpose. Audience awareness is critical in writing. Again, we
look at various models for reference.
Without a good foundation in basic English
grammar skills, a student of any foreign language is at a disadvantage. He will be
lost/confused as to parts of speech, the comparison or contrast of the two languages
(English/Spanish) and will not be able to communicate properly if not using punctuation
correctly. He will be misunderstood in the foreign language = not able to communicate.
Strategy and Style: Extremely important for anyone to be articulate to be able to express
ideas & feelings in a way that anyone can understand.
There is a statement in my syllabus
regarding my expectation of college level writing & that points would be deducted for
grammar, punctuation on formal assignments - not in-class writing. Strategy: Speakers must
adapt everything to their audiences. Style: We study a chapter on language - the choice
& use of words.
High impact - all activities support the
skill.
1)Poorly written project. 2) I correct this
on their project. I take off some points if these things are poorly done.
Strategy & Style: 1) Lower impact. 2) I
would correct on their project
In composition courses, these 4 elements
are of high importance - one of the goals of the writing sequence is to help students
master these skills. They of course are less the the focus in 103 & the literature
courses but are still expected & relevant. Assigned papers are evaluated on the basis
of these 4 elements to a considerable extent. Also worksheets, handouts, computer
exercises, etc.
Minimal relationship. Strategy/Style: Not
related.
Expression of thoughts & application of
ideas learned in course: clearly and consistently
Not related.
Developmental writing courses, as well as
English 101, support/develop these skills. Strategy/Style: Supported by both developmental
writing and freshman composition courses.
For architecture writing skills are not as
important during their education but rather later as they work in their profession..
Punctuation/Grammar/Sentence structure:
1)parallels required written work. 2) Used in the written video speech analysis papers.
Organization: 1)Direct relationship to the speech outline. 2) must be able to successfully
develop formal outlines (with rules for organization for every speech assignment.)
Strategy: Direct relationship to development of speech purpose which has relevance to a
particular audience. 2) Use of hypothetical audiences to adapt & adjust speech
purpose. Style: 1) Direct relationship to use of style in spoken language. 2) study
contrasting use of language style in a variety of speeches.
Students must make written observations and
reports in all of our classes.
Punctuation: I correct mistakes in student
papers but do not lower grade. Grammar/Sentence Structure/Organization:
As long as the text is coherent, I do not
lower grade. Strategy/Style: Students have to give class presentations and a bad strategy
might lower their grade.
Punctuation/Grammar: If these interfere
with my being able to comprehend their ideas then I return papers to them to correct
errors. Sentence structure/organization: All written papers need to be well organized
& clearly written.
Students are able to rewrite papers until
they get them right or they are clear in their presentation of their ideas.
I assign creative writing in some classes
& part of grade is based on punctuation, grammar, spelling, etc.
Students must be able to explain math
concepts in grammatically correct sentences. Strategy/style: Not related.
Punctuation: Since I teach speech,
punctuation has little impact on the majority of their assessment. However, I do have them
use outlining & writing where punctuation is assessed. I teach outlining & stress
the importance of standard
English conventions of writing.
Grammar/Sentence Structure: Use of standard English grammar is a very important aspect of
verbal communication, whether written or oral. We discuss the differences in the use of
language when writing & speaking and the need for employing standard English grammar
in formal presentations. Organization: This is the key element to producing an
understandable message whether in written or oral form. The major emphasis in my class in
on producing well organized verbal (oral) messages. We employ outlining & other
written activities to provide a foundation from which to practice the oral message.
Strategy/Style: While students ability to use strategy & style in written form is not
directly employed in my class, it is directly related to what my students do in orally
presenting their messages. All that they learn in English class applies to speech. I teach
all of these same skills only in reference to the construction of oral messages.
Punctuation/Grammar/Sentence Structure:
While I make corrections, this areas is not a major grade influence.
Organization: Logical presentation of an
argument, report , or explanation is very important. Strategy/Style: Essay questions on
exams - organizing an idea with supporting facts. Preparing lab reports, reporting &
interpreting results accurately & reports on articles sharing the contents, showing
the authors approach, pointing out bias..
Papers plus research abstracts are given.
These aspects are considered in grade.
Punctuation is taken into account in
grading, and is certainly taught, but I think it's important to make a distinction between
punctuation that demonstrates one's knowledge of structure, and conventions such as
quotation marks.
The former receives the most attention and
concern. By definition, grammar is a significant component of English comp. instruction,
especially ESL. As with punctuation, however, the distinction needs to be made between
grammatical errors that interfere with meaning or mark students socially in a way they may
not want to be identified, or that could bias future instructors, and relatively
insignificant grammar errors such as article use. Style is important; however for the
non-native speaker in developmental or freshman comp, it's not an instructional priority,
nor are students heavily evaluated on it. For students who are ready for the challenge,
however, it should be made available.
Punctuation/Grammar/Sentence Structure:
These all represent the building blocks of an essay. These are all components that I mark
on essays. Students' success with these elements is reflected in their grade. I don't take
classtime to go over this material, but I encourage students to come into the office for
individual help. Organization: Organization of ideas is fundamental to writing the essays
in my classes. I spend at least one class period a week reinforcing how to organize ideas.
I ask students to follow up by coming into the office with outlines & rough drafts so
I can help them with organization. I also hand out student sample essays, so they have a
model to follow. I provide a checklist of questions students can refer to as they think
about organization. Strategy and all it entails is also an important part of student
success in my class. I spend at least one class period per week on this component.
After I introduce an assignment, I have a class on strategy & then another one on
organization. Style is certainly important, but I often worry more about that at the end
of the quarter. Usually most students need more help with fundamentals (strategy,
organization, development & grammar.) Near the end (last 2 wks) I usually address this
concern.
Punctuation: Although there are some
differences in usage, students need to be able to punctuate in Spanish as well as English.
Since the differences are few, I correct/explain as needed. Grammar: Students' knowledge
of grammar is generally very poor and I find I have to teach English grammar before I can
teach Spanish grammar. I wish Engl. grammar were a prereq. For foreign language
study. Sentence Structure: We use the language constantly, both orally and in writing.
Organization: As a student progresses in Spanish and does more writing, this becomes more
important. At lower levels, students do very basic kinds of writing. Strategy: As one
advances in the study of foreign language, this increases in importance, but it is of
little importance in 101 through 203. Style: Same as strategy. It is only at the end of
Spanish 202 that students begin to have sufficient variety of vocabulary to express an
idea in more than one way. Up to this point I consider myself lucky if they can express
and idea very simply and correctly. |
| Writing
Essay Test (A demonstration approach)
The Writing Essay Test requires students to demonstrate skills in the following areas: |
| Formulating an assertion about a given issue. |
Mean Rank
2.5 |
High
60% |
Medium
28% |
Low
5% |
| Supporting the assertion with evidence
appropriate to the issues, the position taken, and the given audience. |
2.5 |
High
58% |
Medium
28% |
Low
5% |
| Organizing and connecting major ideas. |
2.6 |
High
65% |
Medium
23% |
Low
5% |
| W2 - Comments
on Writing Essay Test In my
career development course
. students must be able to formulate an assertion
about a give issue to do well on a quiz I give them. Students must be able to support
assertions they make to do well on a quiz I give them.
Students must be able to organize and
connect major ideas to do well on a quiz I give them.
The students must communicate in both
written and oral forms. I correct the papers, noting not only interpersonal communications
issues, but also the 3 topics to the left.
Students are given writing prompts in class
& expected to write a 500 word essay in 50 - 60 minutes, using MS Word in a computer
lab.
1. Important in advanced courses I teach
for papers assigned. 2. Writing assignments/projects.
Assertion -YES! I can't stress this
enough--creating an assertion and following through--often the crux of my courses.
Evidence - Again - yes. We review major and minor supporting details constantly--read
aloud sessions, presentations, text. Connecting - Again, coherence is necessary--forms
links and making links strong through use of transitions is high on my list.
Persuasive speaking is a course
requirement. I teach outlining & organization for speeches.
High impact; most activities support this
skill development.
If I gave essay tests the impact would be
medium. I do some short assignments where writing practice is included.
Less vital in writing sequence, more so in
lit. courses. In literature courses, about 50% of the final grade is based on essay tests.
Assertion/Evidence Minimal. Organizing:
Somewhat related; courses where projects are assigned may require this.
Absolute necessity!
All of these skills are addressed and
refined in our composition courses, from 091-093 to 101-103.
Assertion: Direct relationship to the study
of persuasive speaking. Student must identify a specific issue & formulate an
assertion. Evidence: Direct parallel with persuasive speaking. Group exercises to practice
the skill & persuasive speech assignment. Organizing: Direct relationship to the
speaking assignment. Used for informative & persuasive speeches.
Students write position papers on current
political issues. They need to be able to do all of the things mentioned here.
I apply these skills (or ask students to
apply them) to case study formulations rather than essay writing. Terms are not the same
but the basic task is similar.
Students have to explain why, frequently on
test questions.
Not related.
Same explanation as above. Direct
cross-application to speech. I teach all of these skills.
Same as previous comments.
In English 101 at the end of the quarter, I
talk about strategies for taking essay tests. I ask them to submit questions from their
other classes which we turn into essay questions. The students then get practice in
setting up their answer -- organization & thesis practice are emphasized.
Low priority in Spanish 101-203. Since
251-253 is conversation and composition, these items acquire medium importance as students
do more writing. Those who express themselves well orally and/or in writing in English
generally (not always) learn to do so in Spanish as well. |
| Mathematics
Test
The Mathematics Test measures students mathematical reasoning abilities. It
emphasizes quantitative reasoning rather than the memorization of formulas. The content
areas tested include: |
| Pre-algebra and elementary algebra.
Items in this category are based on integers and algebraic expressions. Students may be
required to solve linear equations. |
Mean Rank
2.0 |
High
48% |
Medium
25% |
Low
8% |
| Intermediate algebra and coordinate
geometry. Items in this category are based on graphing in the standard coordinate
plane; or may involve operations with integer exponents, radical and rational expressions,
the quadratic formula, linear inequalities in one variable, and systems of two linear
equations in two variables. |
1.6 |
High
33% |
Medium
20% |
Low
25% |
| Advanced algebra. Items in this
category are based on rational exponents; exponential and logarithmic functions; complex
number, matrices, inverses of functions, and domains and ranges. |
1.3 |
High
20% |
Medium
15% |
Low
35% |
| Trigonometry. Items in this category
are based on right triangle trigonometry, graphs of the trigonometric functions, and basic
trigonometric identities. |
1.0 |
High
5% |
Medium
20% |
Low
43% |
| Introductory calculus. Items in this
category are based on limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals. |
0.9 |
High
3% |
Medium
20% |
Low
43% |
| W2 - Comments
on Math Test General
statement on math: 1. Mathematical knowledge and reasoning contributes to student ability
to understand and apply scientific research. Foundation for graduate study in the field as
well. 2. Coverage of statistics, research methods, etc. relates directly but all content
in scientific psychology exposes students to math concepts. Trigonometry: not
directly related. Intro Calculus: Calculus may be especially important for those students
planning to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology.
Basic math - enough to function day to day
in the society - banking, etc. Geometry is important for the development of logical
thinking.
Not related to my content area. (except in
figuring out grades)
Pre-and inter-algebra: Large impact if
deficient. Practice in lab & lecture situations. I show model problems & them send
them home w/ at least 1 practice problem. Adv. Algebra: Small impact if deficient. Show a
model & work on not related.
Competency is assessed mainly through tests
& quizzes. Projects done outside of class may also contribute, but to a lesser extent.
Homework, if completed, & class discussions, & occasional work in groups support
the student's development of competency. (Math Assistance Center also is a support in this
area.)
Pre-algebra:Quantify ideas and able to
express them. Inter algebra, etc. not related at the introductory course level.
Adv. Algebra, trig. Calculus - not related.
Not related
Not directly related.
Not that applicable to our field.
We look at lots of charts and tables and we
discuss methods of survey, research, and statistical analysis. (?) students have to do
exercises or statistics.
Basic math skills as applied to basic
statistical analysis are all that are necessary for my courses. More basic than the math
skills, would be an understanding of the concepts used in statistical analysis &
research. I would rate this "concept understanding" as high.
Pre-Algebra: Necessary for success in all
math courses
Pre-algebra: Student prep in this areas is
essential for success in IaI approved math courses. Inter. Algebra: This is important in
many upper level courses. Our math sequence that develops these skills is Math 081,082,
& 083. Adv.
Algebra: Same comment as above. Math
courses that develop these skills are Math 083, 128 & 131. Trig: These skills are
essential for students who need calculus, not the general public (Math 132). Intro
Calculus: These skills are essential for any student who needs calculus. Our math courses
that cover these skills are Math 231 & 232.
Note: While math skills are not directly
applied in my speech class, the logic that math teaches is very helpful in organizing
messages. Furthermore, math skills are often helpful in the consideration of evidence,
especially statistical evidence.
Pre-algebra: Some lab exercises in biology
require algebraic equations. Inter. Algebra: Preparing graphs to report lab data
logarithmic expression of PH scientific notation. Adv. Algebra/trig/calculus: Does not
apply with undergraduate 2 yr. Level curriculum in biology.
Some basic formulas are used to compute
fitness & health assessments.
Most of this would not be related to my
discipline directly. However, I do think it is important for students to have math
literacy.
Pre-algebra: They need to be able to
measure distances on maps & convert centigrade to Fahrenheit, metric to Eng.
Measure. I teach what they need. |
| Reading Test
The Reading Tests measures reading comprehension as a product of skill in referring,
reasoning, and generalizing. Each test consists of passages selected from fiction, the
humanities, and the social and natural sciences. Students are required to derive meaning
from the passages by |
| Referring to what is explicitly
stated. |
Mean Rank
2.6 |
High
83% |
Medium
8% |
Low
0% |
| Reasoning to determine implicit
meanings. |
2.5 |
High
73% |
Medium
15% |
Low
3% |
| Drawing conclusions, comparisons,
and generalizations beyond the text. |
2.4 |
High
70% |
Medium
15% |
Low
3% |
| W2-Comments
Reading Test Discovering both
(explicit, implicit) is essential, therefore I choose texts & readings that can/must
be read on multiple levels. Students must look at writer's ideas/experience through the
lens of their own and construct meaning from the contrast. This integration of print and
person is essential.
In order to complete homework assignments
and be prepared for class discussions, students must be able to demonstrate these skills.
The students' understanding of the reading
assignments comes into play for successfully completing written exercises and
participating in classroom exercises.
Students need to be accurately assessed in
a formal testing situation as well as in informal situations because class evaluation is
weighted in terms of limited time performance skills. I have students interpret
statements.
Essential. Not explicitly taught but much
reading assignments.
We read a variety of college level texts
and other venues in order to determine and extract explicit information (specifically the
main idea). Reading between the lines, informing, and being aware of suggested information
again is difficult. I bring in a lot of "real life" examples and pictures/ant to
make a point here. Packaging these strategies and taking them into other courses and
hopefully careers is another goal we strive for.
Explicit:Very Important!
Reasoning/conclusions:Useful to a limited extent in upper level Spanish classes.
Speeches are researched based - therefore
students must be able to achieve all of these to successfully prepare a speech.
Very high impact; all activities relate to
development of this skill.
High impact for both text reading & lab
directions. Lectures include basic information, ask questions to get them thinking about
the items, and application & synthesis ex. Some of these practice exercises are used
to get them to think.
I don't give reading tests as such, but in
102/103, reading comprehension is crucial & is tested by means of reading quizzes
(short answers) & incorporation of source material into student's own work.
Moderately related. Students are expected
to read their texts and determine connections. Again, the assessment is mainly tests &
quizzes, although some informal assessment is done in class discussions.
Critical to read before understanding &
expressing oneself.
All are addressed in our composition
courses, particularly Eng. 102. Very important to Lit courses.
Direct relationship to the research for
speeches & group work. Required as part of evidence & support for speeches.
Our field requires on-going reading. Even
after graduation - "on the job".
For the 200 level courses I teach, reliance
on a integorical code does not allow for much variation in thinking.
Synthesizing this information, however, is
critical.
Needed to read math books.
Explicit: Students must be able to
understand word problems. Reasoning: This skill is not very important in mathematics.
Conclusions: Students should be able to synthesize mathematical concepts to make
conclusions.
Reading is not only necessary for gaining
an understanding of text used in my class but also in the research process when students
gather evidence to support their points in a speech. I give a lot of instruction in
research and how to read material to locate & apply useful evidence. Students have to
be able to identify explicitly stated ideas, determine implicit meaning and draw
conclusions, comparisons and generalizations to use evidence.
Students are involved in reading the text,
outside reading of scientific journals & reporting the facts to the class.
Analysis of an article/text passage for
bias, inappropriate conclusions from the data, incomplete date. Showing the class examples
of how the subject matter relates to other situations beyond those expressed - relate to
current events (general), current medical/scientific discoveries, unsolved problems in the
scientific realm, scientific theories, practical applications in everyday life.
Textbooks & research articles are used
in class. Reading ability (
.?) for success.
Students need this skill in every class
they will take. In my classes, all the textbooks I use are anthologies of essays.
Students must be able to read the works of
others, be able to synthesize the material (by making comparisons & drawing
conclusions) because these become the subject matter for the essays they write. In each
class I teach, I have students write summaries since this assignment focuses on reading
skills & ultimately writing skills.
If they cannot do these things, they cannot
understand/learn the explanations in English in the text. I explain in both English &
Spanish, give examples, try to lead them through the thinking process step-by-step. |
Critical Thinking Test
The Critical Thinking Test consists of passages that present one or more arguments in a
variety of formats, including case studies, debates, dialogues, overlapping positions,
statistical arguments, experimental results, and editorials. The test measures
students skills in the following areas: |
| Clarifying and analyzing the elements of an
argument. |
Mean Rank
2.7 |
High
80% |
Medium
15% |
Low
3% |
| Evaluating an argument. |
2.7 |
High
78% |
Medium
15% |
Low
5% |
| Extending an argument. |
2.6 |
High
73% |
Medium
18% |
Low
8% |
| W2 - Comments
on the Critical Thinking Test Clarifying/analyzing:
In my career development course students must be able to demonstrate this skill when we
focus on case studies. Evaluating: students must be able to evaluate an argument when we
focus on case studies. During dialogues in class students need to be able to extend an
argument.
The students receive critiques on these
counts from myself, in both written and oral form. This is done regularly throughout the
course.
Normalized tests give institutional data
that sometimes doesn't make it any lower to teachers. In reading various articles,
students are required to clarify and analyze the credibility of the author's logic &
extend their own biases to summaries & analyses written in class and at home.
All is necessary for understanding
psychological concepts & theories. All of this is embedded throughout the course
content and class activities - whether it be reading assignments, written assignments,
class discussion, debates, or I presently do not offer enough opportunity for critical
thinking outside of class discussions.
This is where the rubber meets the road in
my courses. Students struggle with this concept throughout the course. I try my best to
stretch their meanings beyond surface value..it takes building their confidence and
guiding them into different possibilities, perspectives. Research activities help here..we
use the internet and a criteria/evaluation sheet. Elaboration is another key
depending on assignments parameters..but selecting an argument and sticking with it is
most challenging.
Critical thinking: Very important in live.
Evaluating/extending: Useful to a limited extent in upper level Spanish classes.
Again, persuasive speech is a course
requirement. Students must analyze arguments as both speakers preparing them & as
audience members listening to them.
High impact; many activities support these
skills.
High impact. Discussion groups where group
members answer questions and discuss controversial biological topics.
This is the central subject matter in my
102 course. It is also important in 103 where research projects often evolve into
argumentative papers. Six argumentative papers are required for my 102. The 103 paper may
or may not be argumentative.
Minimal Relationship
Analysis of arguments - comparison of ideas
in print, video, and on the internet.
All are relevant to Eng. 102 and 103, but
are also covered in other composition classes. Also addressed to some extent in Lit.
courses.
Clarifying/Evaluating: An integral part of
the study of persuasion. Used in problem solving & decision making speeches &
group work. Extending: Integral to persuasion. Used when developing a recommended solution
or when attempting to develop the visualization step (either positive or negative
outcomes) of the motivated sequence speech.
This is a core topic of my classes.
Politics without critical thinking is impossible. I try to teach students that conflict is
good if handled appropriately.
All work in my courses require these
abilities. My assignments are all designed to shape this behavior in my students so that
by quarter end they are all capable of this type of thinking (to various degrees.)
Clarifying: Fundamental in math.
Evaluating: Needed to follow concepts.
This is a skill needed in statistics, but
not in other areas except courses that contain logic section.
Clarifying: This is an inherent element of
speech communication. We listen to arguments during persuasion and analyze key elements.
Evaluating: Students are intimately involved in the evaluation of arguments throughout
speech.
Every speech that presents an argument is
evaluated by both teacher and students. Extending: Students engage in dialogue throughout
speech and must be able to extend arguments to be successful. I constantly push students
to argue positions using Socratic techniques. Students in speech must be able to employ
all 3 of these critical thinking skills if they hope to be successful in speech.
Most emphasis in lab-performing experiments
to support/reject a hypothesis. Students must learn how to form a valid hypothesis, how to
test this idea, how to collect & analyze the data, how to draw valid conclusions &
decide how this information can be used to refine/change the hypothesis & proceed
forward.
Varying viewpoints are presented in a
variety of health issues. Students need to present their views & back it up in written
form & in class discussion.
The area of critical thinking is tied very
closely to my discipline of English. All of the basic composition classes (English 101,
102 & 103) require students to be able to present an argument when they write. Thus,
they need to understand the basics and know how to evaluate the soundness of what they are
planning to present. I spend time on class talking about the elements of argument and how
to use them in writing.
Not really related in 101-203 classes |
| Science
Reasoning Test
The Science Reasoning Test measures scientific reasoning skills rather than recall of
scientific content or a high level of skill in mathematics or reading proficiency. The
test presents materials in three different formats: |
| Data representation format.
Students are presented with graphic and tabular material similar to that found in science
journals and texts. The items associated with this format measure skills such as graph
reading, interpretation of scatterplots, and interpretation of information presented in
tables, diagrams, and figures. |
Mean Rank
2.2 |
High
50% |
Medium
33% |
Low
15% |
| Research summaries format.
Students are provided with a description of one experiment or of several related
experiments. Items in this format focus upon the design of experiments and the
interpretation of experimental results. |
1.9 |
High
38% |
Medium
33% |
Low
15% |
| Conflicting viewpoints format.
Students are presented with several hypotheses or viewpoints that are mutually
inconsistent owing to different premises, incomplete or disputed data, or differing
interpretations of data. Items in this format measure students skills in
understanding, analyzing and comparing alternative hypotheses or viewpoints. |
2.1 |
High
48% |
Medium
28% |
Low
10% |
| W2 - Comment on the Scientific Reasoning Test Data:Students in my career development course need
to be able to interpret employment information presented in tables, diagrams, and figures
otherwise they can't complete homework assignments. Conflicting viewpoints: Students in my
career development class need to be able to understand, analyze, and compare alternative
points of view to be prepared for class discussions.
Students read the results of experiments
& are asked to develop survey & interview questions based on the hypotheses
presented in the literature. Students then are asked to synthesize survey results to
analyze preliminary data that they've gathered.
Essential to scientific psychology. Reading
assignments, class projects, lectures, etc.
Data: We review some graphical material and
interpret different formats. Research: Deconstructing how ideas relate is important.
Conflicting views: Work more in Eng. 103 here.
Some use in life - goes back to being able
to read & understand content which would require a basic background in science. No use
in Spanish.
Students would use these skills only as
they might relate to research for their speeches.
Data: Medium impact; we do teach this in
the reading and study skills courses. Research: Medium impact; We do teach how to write
summaries, but not in this specific format. Conflict views: Medium impact; taught directly
in some courses & indirectly in others.
High impact. Many lab students act as
scientists to hypothesize, design experiments, collect data & analyze it. They most
often work in groups and must present & defend the work to group members & to me.
Not related. Conflicting viewpoints: We
often do these kinds of projects in 102 & 103.
Math 135, statistics, has a moderate
relationship with Data & Research. Conflicting viewpoints: minimal relationship.
Economics and statistics use the scientific
method.
I teach OCC/VOC courses & therefore
have students that are more talented & competent at hands on & visual
achievements. When these students have to produce a written document they usually have
problems.
Data: Needs to understand how to interpret
data for evidence. Applies data to arguments developed in persuasion or evidence for
informational speech. Research: Needs to see the relationship of research outcomes to
proposed recommendations. Is able to apply research to message. Conflicting viewpoints:
Needs to be able to examine opposing views & understand them. Applies through
comparison & contrast to the argument developing for the persuasive message.
Data: We use lots of graphs & tables
all the time. Research: We discuss and interpret experiments occasionally.
Conflicting viewpoints: This is one of the
major requirements in my class; present and discuss opposing viewpoints.
Papers assigned to students utilize data
presented in this manner. Correct analysis of this data is critical to their final
decision about the case they are writing on. Ability to recognize their own conflicting
views is critical to their success on case papers.
Data: Student must have these skills in
math. Conflict: This would occur in more advanced statistics courses than
Students have to conduct research of a
variety of sources to find support for the ideas in a speech. Much of this information is
scientific and appears in both text and data representation format. They also often read
conflicting viewpoints. Students have to ethically and appropriately apply this
information in their speeches. We discuss the use of primary sources for support, often
scientific sources and how to ethically & appropriately apply this information in
Data/Research: Students read about
experiments in scientific journals & are tested on their ability to interpret the
data.
They also must collect & process their
own data in lab. I explain how certain types of experiments are designed.
Conflict: This area requires more work on
my part - I try to explain why one hypotheses is more reasonable than another. Students
then discuss the merits of conflicting hypotheses, identify assumptions that have been
made. If an experiment produces unexpected results, we discuss possible causes. We discuss
sources of error that might influence outcome, or biases that may occur. I give examples
of faculty reasoning.
Health Stats - research articles are
reviewed & summarized. These skills are needed.
As with math, I think students should have
a grasp of science. I think even though the subject matter might be different, the skills
of reading, synthesizing, interpreting, etc., will be used in many of their classes,
including English. |

A
Summary Report on Responses to
Considering Course and Faculty Interaction with General Education:
An Asynchronous Workbook |
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Appendix
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