LA Regional Network

Dr. Eun Woo Chang will visit the LA Region on February 26 to share information on the various grant funding opportunities available through the NSF.  Click here for the flyer with all the details, including a registration link.

The LACCD developmental mathematics faculty inquiry group (FIG) has been collaborating for about a year to identify areas in math learning where students seem to have difficulty.  Pairs of math professors from five of the LACCD colleges and one member from Santa Ana College have been working with their respective departments to identify problems and develop solutions to the problems on their particular campus.  Now, these colleges are ready to implement the solutions in their classes.  To get a sense of the overall parameters of the larger FACCTS Project, click here.

Summary of LACCD Dev Math team projects, Fall 2009

EAST

Ruben and Regis are focused on improving students’ problem solving abilities related to application problems.  Using responses to student surveys as a guide they are creating application problems that resonate with students.  Math topics include: rational equations, quadratic equations, factoring and polynomials.

CITY

Kevin has created a set of SkillBuilders and ModelBuilders.  These are powerpoint and html pages that can be used to help students master key topics in algebra.

Hector has created a Latino student persona and developed tools that help students reflect on their attitude toward math, their performance in math, and their efforts to improve.

 VALLEY

Steven and Teresa are creating Skill Building Activities – 15 minute activities that will be incorporated into each 70 minute class.  Teresa is focusing on activities related to specific elementary and intermediate algebra math topics, and Steve is focusing on activities related to math anxiety and test taking skills.

 WEST

Henri is exploring multiple avenues for improving student performance of math skills.  These approaches include internet-based learning, in-class powerpoint presentations, frequent examinations, and more.

Matt is exploring what motivates students to learn, how students approach learning and studying, and what techniques instructors can use to increase commitment to and effectiveness in studying.  His work so far includes an assessment of students’ attitudes toward mathematics, an examination of student reflections on relationship between performance and commitment, and a review of the literature surrounding motivation and investment in learning.

 PIERCE

Bruce and Kathy have developed an approach to teaching elementary and intermediate algebra with the following key aspects:

1) Lessons have both reading and writing components

2) Classroom lessons are activity based

3) Mathematical concepts and skills are developed in context.  Environmental sustainability is a common theme.

4) Study skills are incorporated into each lesson

5) Professional development is a key component for instructors to share materials, pedagogy and experiences.

They have developed reading materials, classroom activities and homework assignments that are available online.

They are testing this approach in classes this semester and using the results to refine their materials and processes.

 SANTA ANA

Caren is working to help students master application problems in elementary algebra in several ways, by:

1) developing modules of activities and tools for each classic type of application problem.  Part of the focus of the modules is on general problem solving strategy and estimation.

2) developing a WordProbTutor modeled after OLI’s StatLabTutor, which will guide students in setting up equations, solving equations, and provide feedback about their work.

3) working with other departments to identify and then develop discipline-specific application problems

The 2010 FTLA began on January 19 and just completed six intensive full day sessions.  To check out the FTLA activities, click here.

On October 16, 2009, Arend Flick of the Riverside Community College District (Norco campus) came to Pierce College to facilitate a day-long discussion focused on identifying and assessing program level learning outcomes.  More than 100 faculty, administrators, and staff from across the LACCD came together first in constituent groups (student services, CTE faculty, administrators, Social Science faculty, and so forth) then, after a delicious lunch, as college groups to work together to identify appropriate program level learning outcomes and then to create a college program level assessment plan.

Rebecca Tillberg, chair of the LACCD Program Review Task Force, spoke to the group about the continuing work of the task force in trying to build a district-supported online program review model.  Ideally, as colleges develop Program Level Assessment Plans, these plans will be able to collaborate with the emerging online program review so the results of program level assessments can be easily used to enhance learning across the district and perhaps across the region as well.

Handouts and other workshop materials can be viewed on the Assessment page of this site.

Howdy–

Documents we have created at the BSILI are now posted on the BSILI page in this site.  You can leave comments on the documents and make suggestions for improvements.

It has been intense but oh so rewarding to participate in this awwesome gathering.  This group really is outstanding.

In an effort to keep everyone updated on news from Sacramento, Scott Lay of the Community College League of California is posting the latest on Twitter.  You can follow ccleague on Twitter.

It’s easy:  sign up for a Twitter account by going to Twitter.com.  Follow the directions on screen then sign up to follow ccleague.  You will receive updates from Scott as he gets it.  You can also post short comments or questions.

Many at the Regional BSI Workshop held at LA Mission College on May 7 and 8 were interested in information on how to register for the Strengthening Student Success Conference that will be held October 7-9 in San Francisco.  Here is the link to conference information: http://www.rpgroup.org/events/sss09.html.  Don’t wait too long; this excellent conference always fills early and many are disappointed when they are turned away.

Before you leave the RP Group site, you should check out the videos from past Student Success conferences.  Since 2007, most of the sessions at this conference are recorded and placed on the Streaming Video link on the RP Group site so that if you are unable to attend the conference or even if you were there but missed a session that interests you, you have the opportunity to visit–or revisit–that session any time you want to.  One of my favorite presentations is from the 2007 SS Conference: Alchemy at CSM (College of San Mateo) and describes the work of a group of faculty involved in an inquiry group examining writing across the curriculum.  The process they followed and the insights they gained are presented in such a way that every time I view this presentation, I want to gather a group of colleagues from across a variety of disciplines and get to work immediately to talk about how we can help our own students improve their writing skills.

Contribute to the Network by responding to the following questions:

1.  Identify an area where your college excels in supporting students with basic skills needs.

and

2.  Identify an area where your college is challenged in supporting students with basic skills needs.

Greetings!

Now that you have found this site, take a few minutes to help us build the Network.  What would you like to see here?  How can we make the best use of this site to assist community college faculty and staff to promote academic success for our students?

As we prepare for the Southern California Regional Workshop (formerly the LA Regional workshop, but we want to include our colleagues form Orange County and San Diego), some of the presentations are already posted on this site.  If you go to Presentations, you can view some of the presentations from the workshop.  After the workshop is completed, check back for additional information.