Notes - October 5, 2000

Attending: Mary Lambert, Eduardo Rivero, Ken Barksdale, Fran Ebbers, Lance Hayes, Jann Randle, Brenda Adrian, Brion Champie, Wendy Erisman, Joyce Keller, Leslie Linn, Robin Zuniga, Armando Sanchez, Les Carter

I. Les Carter was introduced as a new member of the TLTR.

II. Computer Competency Requirement

Gloria Gonzales reported on the proposal made by the Competency Subcommittee to tighten the Computer Competency requirement. The subcommittee proposed making the requirement be within the first 60 hours after being admitted to SEU. If the Competencies were not passed, then a hold would be put on the student's registration. Advisors would be able to check on the web to waive the requirement for registration.

Much discussion followed.

• Lance Hayes objected to registration being used as a punitive measure.
• Joyce Keller expressed concerns about New College students who do not meet with advisors.
• A straw vote was taken and the unanimous vote was for the requirement to be lower -- 30 hours instead of 60.
• Gloria will take these opinions back to the subcommittee.

III. Assessment Subcommittee

A draft Online Course Evaluation was passed out.

• Concerns were raised that the evaluation doesn't show whether objectives are being met.
• Focus groups were suggested to test the evaluation.
• Suggestions were made to have more open answer/text fields
• Many felt the survey was too long and that students wouldn't fill it out.
• If it is done online, the students who had the most problems with the online format will be the least likely to fill it out.
• A suggestion was made to request a follow-up.
• The survey was considered useful at an IT level but not a substitute for a Course Evaluation. The name of the survey may be changed to "Evaluation of Online Course Delivery" to avoid confusion with the Course Evaluations.
• Robin Zuniga is working with Robin Eanes and Catherine Rainwater to redesign the Course Evaluations to get at evaluation of web content. Interested members of the TLTR were asked to join that committee.
• Jann suggested that faculty not be obliged to use the evaluation, but that those who do use it require their students to fill it out.

Next Step:

• Make changes to evaluation
• Pilot in 1 class and get student feedback
• Need to survey students who dropped online courses

IV. Next meeting. October 26 at 1:00 in Mabee Ballroom B.