Students First A Learning Reconsidered Example

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Students First! A Learning Reconsidered Example

• Blaine Jensen
• Vice President
• Educational Services
• Douglas College

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Learning Reconsidered

• To support todays learning outcomes, the focus
  of education must shift from information transfer
  to identity development (transformation).
  Transformative education places the students
  reflective processes at he core of the learning
  experience. The idea of transformative learning
  reinforces the root meaning of liberal education
  itself freeing oneself from the constraints of
  lack of knowledge and an excess of simplicity. In
  the idea of transformative learning the purpose
  of educational involvement is the evolution of
  multidimensional identity, including but not
  limited to cognitive, affective, behavioral and
  spiritual development. Therefore learning , as it
  has historically been understood, is included in
  a much larger context that requires consideration
  of what students know, who they are, what their
  values and behavior patterns are, and how they
  see themselves contributing to and participating
  in the world in which they live. (p.10)
• Learning Reconsidered, ACPA, NASPA 2004

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Learning Reconsidered

• A Campus-Wide Focus
• integration learning development
• broad scope
• Collaboration of learning outcomes
• transformative education
• practical framework for making a learning
  community

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Learning Community

• Learning is
• multi-centric, holistic
• rooted in meaning-making
• integrates academic learning and student
  development.
• support transformative education
• All accountable at every level
• Student Focused

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Douglas College Context

• BC Expansion 25 K seats
• Degree Granting
• New Leadership
• Enrolment Changes

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Academic Plan

• Themes
• First Choice institution
• Recognized academic signature
• Increasing student success persistence
• Regional collaborations
• Substantial development of programs
• Broadening the range of credentials

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Academic Plan Development

• Faculties Performed
• Environmental Scans
• External Consulting
• SWOT Analysis
• program gaps
• new program ideas
• balanced and sustainable growth
• fit within marketplace

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Foundational Documents

• A Path to the Future College Vision and Academic
  Planning
• A Signature for Douglas College
• Learning First Enhancing the Foundation
  Experience at Douglas College
• Student Success Taskforce

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Learning Support Services Plan Development

• Students Success Forum
• Institutional Validation
• Senior Administration Leadership

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Students First!

• Creating a welcoming, engaging supportive
  environment where the student experience and
  learning is paramount

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Two Major Themes

• Building Relationships with Students
• Campus Ecology

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Relationships with Students

• Learning Service Philosophy
• Define the Student Experience
• Office For New Students
• Student Leadership Program
• Physical Environment

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Institutional Validation

• Consultation
• Divisions
• Educational Council
• Unions
• Students Union
• Approval Sr. Management
• College Board
• January 2005

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Learning Services Philosophy

• Enhance skills, knowledge, lives
• Achieve Goals
• Respond to society
• Through
• Classroom Curriculum
• Co-curricular learning development

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The Student Experience

• College Wide Forum
• Participants Faculty, Staff, Admin
• Appreciative Inquiry

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Key Elements

• Student Defined Outcomes
• Friendly Personable
• Satisfying and Engaging
• Growth Promoting
• Relevant
• Supportive

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Draft Model
Lasting Experiences
Personal Growth
Friendly Personable Growth Promoting Relevant Su
pportive Satisfying Engaging
Mutually Satisfying
Sensitivity Responsiveness
Holistic
Positive Experience
Connections/Relationships
Exceeding Expectations
Proactive
Learning From Each Other
Flexibility
Services
Mentorship
Impact of Small Interventions
Access to Key Information
Empowered
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The Experience Next Steps

• Cross-College Group
• Define components
• Validate
• Student Advisory Group
• Introduce New Cultural Elements
• Create Stories
• Branding

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Transformational Experiences

• Transformational Role for Students
• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Developmentally Appropriate
• Independence
• Self-directed
• Self-sufficient

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Engaging Students

• include students
• communicate goals and strategies
• alumni association
• retention plan
• currency with student issues

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Campus Ecology
People Places
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Campus Ecology - People

• Support of Colleagues
• Empowering employees
• Policy to goals/objectives
• Respectful workplace
• College collaboration

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Campus Ecology - Places

• Physical facilities Communicate Messages
• Welcome Centres
• Campus Environment Committee
• Entry to College
• Signage
• Colour
• Open Learning Space

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Tactical/Operationalizing

• Creation of Rolling 3 Year Tactical Plan
  (Academic and Services)
• Program and Services Reviews
• Annual Review articles
• New Strategic Plan
• Melding Academic and Students First
• Avoid WE They as much as possible
• Identification of Gaps

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Learning Reconsidered

• Campus-Wide Focus
• Integration learning development
• Broad scope
• Collaboration of learning outcomes
• Transformative education
• Practical framework for making a learning
  community

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Questions?

• Documents on-line
• http//www.douglascollege.ca/instres/planning.html
  
• Contact Information
• BJ Jensen
• V.P. Educational ServicesDouglas College
• jensenb_at_dougllascollege.ca