ESL programs at U.S. community colleges: A multistate analysis of placement tests, course offerings, and course content

TESOL Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick David ◽  
Yasuko Kanno
2015 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 200-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Mohan ◽  
D. Doctor ◽  
W. Hersh ◽  
J. Valerius

Summary Background: In 2007, we initiated a health information management (HIM) track of our biomedical informatics graduate program, and subsequent ongoing program assessment revealed a confluence of topics and courses within HIM and clinical informatics (CI) tracks. We completed a thorough comparative analysis of competencies derived from AMIA, AHIMA, and CAHIIM. Coupled with the need to streamline course offerings, the process, described in this paper allowed new opportunities for faculty collaboration, resulted in the creation of a model assessment for best practice in courses, and led to new avenues of growth within the program. Objective: The objective of the case study is to provide others in the informatics educational community with a model for analysis of curriculum in order to improve quality of student learning. Methods: We describe a case study where an academic informatics program realigned its course offerings to better reflect the HIM of today, and prepare for challenges of the future. Visionary leadership, intra-departmental self-analysis and alignment of the curriculum through defined mapping process reduced overlap within the CI and HIM tracks. Teaching within courses was optimized through the work of core faculty collaboration. Results: The analysis of curriculum resulted in reduction of overlap within course curriculum. This allowed for additional and new course content to be added to existing courses. Conclusions: Leadership fostered an environment where top-down as well as bottom-up collaborative assessment activities resulted in a model to consolidate learning and reduce unnecessary duplication within courses. A focus on curriculum integration, emphasis on course alignment and strategic consolidation of course content raised the quality of informatics education provided to students. Faculty synergy was an essential component of this redesign process. Continuous quality improvement strategy included an ongoing alignment of curriculum and competencies through a comparative analysis approach. Through these efforts, new innovation was possible. Citation: Valerius J, Mohan V, Doctor D, Hersh W. Collaboration leads to enhanced curriculum. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 200–209http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-10-CR-0086


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Ting Chuang

<p>In recent decades, increasing numbers of EMI (English as Medium of Instructions) courses have been added to university course offerings in countries where English is not the first language, as a way of supporting university internalization and addressing the global status of English. However, some studies argue that EMI courses might affect the overall learning of course content because of students' poor lecture comprehension and passive engagement in class. In order to facilitate student engagement and improve learning experiences in EMI courses, the author introduces a pedagogical method that would facilitate students' overall learning in her EMI course. Based on students' overall feedback, the author confirms that her pedagogy is an effective method that improves lecture comprehension, encourages more class engagement, and promotes collaborative learning. Finally, the author recommends that other instructors apply this pedagogy to their EMI classes for better learning outcomes.</p>


1986 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Sheila Dermer Applebaum ◽  
Elizabeth Taborek

This paper will describe the steps taken in developing oral placement tests for adults in two agency-based community ESL programs. A general overview of recent oral testing approaches will be presented and the suitability of specific tests for use in meeting the expressed needs of community agencies will be discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-166
Author(s):  
Bakil Ali Alwalss ◽  
Majid Gharawai

This study investigated the effectiveness of the English programme for year one students, at Baish Community College (Males, BCCM), Jazan Community Colleges (Males, JCCM and Females, JCCF), College of Engineering (Males), and College of Design and Architecture (Females). Research tools were a programme evaluation form and two short placement tests. This study focused heavily on the students’ progress of learning English. Two placement tests were used: one at the beginning of the semester, and the other on the second half of the semester with a two-month gap. The average of all groups on the first placement test was 18.5 out of 50. ANOVA analysis showed no significant differences between groups averages at p < 0.05 (p-value was 0.26). The level at the start is similar to all groups (homogeneous students). The second placement test showed a slight learning progress. The average of all groups was 21 out of 50, but with a high variation in percentages of gain amongst groups. Therefore, the second ANOVA analysis was conducted to examine the significance of the groups’ averages at p < 0.05. The analysis yielded a p-value of 0.0079. A third analysis was conducted on both tests to ensure further validity of the results; t-test for paired samples was used. All groups were positive except for Jazan Girls Community College which showed no progress at all.


Author(s):  
Rebecca M. Bustamante ◽  
Julie P. Combs

This study examined master’s degree level research course offerings of 72 university educational leadership programs to examine the relevance of course content to the research skills required of practicing school leaders. Researchers analyzed course titles and descriptions using a classic content analysis approach and the method of constant comparison. The number of research courses required by each program was analyzed descriptively. Findings revealed considerable variation in research course requirements, course titles, and course descriptions between university programs, suggesting a potential lack of consensus on the importance of research skills to school leadership as well as on how these skills typically are identified and described. Analysis of course descriptions indicated minimal emphasis on inquiry skills focused on actual school improvement and program evaluation. This research points to the need for further studies on research course offerings and the inquiry skills needed by practicing school leaders.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Mary J. Emm ◽  
Christine P. Cecconi

Clinical supervision is recognized as a distinctive area of practice and expertise, yet professional preparation in this area remains inadequate. This paper presents functional information describing the development and implementation of an experimental course on administration, supervision, and private practice, based on graduate student perceptions and preferences for course content and types of learning activities. Current pedagogical trends for universal design in learning and fostering student engagement were emphasized, including problem-based and collaborative learning. Results suggest that students were highly pleased with course content, interactive and group activities, as well as with assessment procedures used.


ASHA Leader ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly S. Chabon ◽  
Ruth E. Cain

2016 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Crouzevialle ◽  
Fabrizio Butera

Abstract. Performance-approach goals (i.e., the desire to outperform others) have been found to be positive predictors of test performance, but research has also revealed that they predict surface learning strategies. The present research investigates whether the high academic performance of students who strongly adopt performance-approach goals stems from test anticipation and preparation, which most educational settings render possible since examinations are often scheduled in advance. We set up a longitudinal design for an experiment conducted in high-school classrooms within the context of two science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, namely, physics and chemistry. First, we measured performance-approach goals. Then we asked students to take a test that had either been announced a week in advance (enabling strategic preparation) or not. The expected interaction between performance-approach goal endorsement and test anticipation was moderated by the students’ initial level: The interaction appeared only among low achievers for whom the pursuit of performance-approach goals predicted greater performance – but only when the test had been scheduled. Conversely, high achievers appeared to have adopted a regular and steady process of course content learning whatever their normative goal endorsement. This suggests that normative strivings differentially influence the study strategies of low and high achievers.


2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Bartram ◽  
Robert A. Roe

Abstract. The European Diploma in Psychology defines a common European standard for the competences required to practice as a psychologist. This paper describes how that standard was developed and defined, and why it was considered important to bring together the traditional input-based specification of professional competence, in terms of curriculum and training course content, with a more outcome-oriented approach that focuses on the competences that a professional psychologist needs to demonstrate in practice. The paper addresses three specific questions. What are the competences that a psychologist should possess? Are these competences the same for all areas of practice within professional psychology? How can these competences be assessed?


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