Reacting directly to the fact that even the best syllabus is worthless to the student who does not read it, this essay draws inspiration from research of the past decade, especially from the learning-focused syllabus concept that was introduced by three researchers at the University of Virginia, and uses a questionnaire to gauge our community…

The responsibility for college success has historically rested with the student, but since the 1980s, educators have taken increasing ownership of this, designing structures that increase the likelihood of learning, success, and retention. These efforts have included a variety of initiatives--first year seminars, learning communities,…

College students will face a workplace transformed even from the one that existed five years ago. Public and private organizations presently require employees to possess highly developed core competencies. This shift in expectations, exacerbated by high unemployment among recent college graduates, has made accountability a hot issue for higher…

The current climate of accountability demands that institutions engage in data-driven program evaluation. In order to promote quality dual enrollment (DE) programs, institutions must support the adjunct faculty teaching college courses in high schools. This study uses Patton's utilization-focused model (1997) to conduct a formative evaluation of a…

An exploratory study conducted at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada between 2007 and 2009 investigated language learning with mobile devices as an approach to augmenting ESP learning by taking learning outside the classroom into the real-world context. In common with findings at other community colleges, this study identified inadequate…

A study was conducted at Phillips County Community College (PCCC) to analyze the impact of freshman orientation classes on students' persistence and academic performance. The participants in the study were all first-time, full-time freshmen who entered PCCC during the fall 1982, spring 1983, or fall 1983 semesters. During the registration process,…

This project report contains two major components: (1) a feasibility study to assess the need for an associate degree nursing program at Williamsport Area Community College, Pennsylvania; and (2) an appropriate curriculum developed for the project. The feasibility study describes the community characteristics, reviews the college resources, and…

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is increasingly offering more Web-based, online orientation courses to students. Since the fall semester of 1999, the community college campuses throughout the VCCS have offered over 100 sections of online orientation courses. However, no assessment data or research for these courses or students exists.…

The "Student Evaluation of Instruction" (SEOI) was administered to all full-time and part-time faculty. Approximately 91,530 surveys were sent out in 4,980 envelopes; 58,604 surveys were returned to the Office of Institutional Research. The return rate for the paper surveys was 64% including late submissions. Instructors' reports were…

This self-evaluation report provides descriptive and evaluative information on the Associate Degree Nursing program at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. After a brief outline of institutional information, the report describes the philosophy, purposes, and objectives of the nursing unit. The next section examines the organization and…

This report discusses the structures, procedures, outcomes, and evaluation of the Tier One Project (TOP), which was conducted at Los Medanos College from July 1981 to February 1983 to develop general education courses embodying humanities concerns. Background to the project is provided first, delineating TOP's objectives of examining general…

A follow-up study was conducted by Skyline College (SC) to determine the effectiveness of an "economically depressed area" project undertaken by the college in Spring 1979 to promote SC's programs among low income area residents and to provide information to this group on consumer-related issues and community service agencies. During the…

The Instructional and Leadership Development through Distance Learning (ILDDL) project was created to demonstrate ways that technology and distance learning can be used to address some of Florida's educational needs. The project involved the collaboration of Florida State University, the University of Florida, and nine Florida community colleges.…

Dutchess Community College (DCC) in Poughkeepsie, New York, has developed a series of 1-hour, noncredit study skills courses (CSS), which use the content of introductory credit courses as a vehicle for teaching study skills. These course-specific study skills are taught by the instructors of the related credit courses, and stress practical work…