TEACHING AND LEARNING IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION …

TEACHING AND LEARNING IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

AT PENN STATE

An Institutional Self-Study

Prepared for: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education

September 23, 2004 (revised: February 23, 2005)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................... I

ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION STATEMENT ..................................................................................................... VI

STEERING COMMITTEE ....................................................................................................................................... VII WORKING GROUP SUBCOMMITTEES................................................................................................. viii

INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................................1

I. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS, ENROLLMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.........3 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................3 Managing Enrollments ....................................................................................................................................3 Undergraduate Admissions .............................................................................................................................4 Recruitment .....................................................................................................................................................5 Recruiting for Diversity ....................................................................................................................5 Adult Learners.................................................................................................................................................5 Student Aid......................................................................................................................................................6 EMA Services Using Technology to Serve Students' Educational Needs ......................................................6 The Web Schedule of Courses ..........................................................................................................6 eLion .................................................................................................................................................7 The Degree Audit System .................................................................................................................7 Teacher Certification Reports ...........................................................................................................7 Verification of Academic Records....................................................................................................7 Other Efficiencies through Technology Served by EMA .................................................................8 Challenges and Strategies or Future Directions ..............................................................................................9 URL Sites for Student Admissions, Enrollment Management, and Educational Progress............................10

II. SERVICES THAT SUPPORT TEACHING AND LEARNING ..........................................................................12 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................12 Support of the Formal Educational Experiences of Students ........................................................................13 University Learning Centers (ULC)................................................................................................13 Advising Centers.............................................................................................................................14 Support of the Health and Wellness Needs of Students ................................................................................14 University Health Services (UHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) .............14

Prevention Marketing Strategies .....................................................................................................15 Supporting the teaching of civility and citizenship .......................................................................................15

The Office of Judicial Affairs .........................................................................................................15 The Student Readership Program....................................................................................................16 Religious Groups and Educational Programs..................................................................................16 Support and Encouragement of Student Involvement: Other Opportunities Available to Students..............17 Student E-portfolios ........................................................................................................................17 The AT&T Center for Service Leadership......................................................................................17 Student Organizations and Programs ..............................................................................................17 Support of Living-Learning Environments ...................................................................................................18 Discover House ...............................................................................................................................18 The Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) ............................................................................18 The Pennypacker Experience..........................................................................................................19 Freshman Interest Groups (FIGS)...................................................................................................19 Support of Special Student Populations ........................................................................................................19 The Center for Adult Learner Services ...........................................................................................20 Commission for Adult Learners......................................................................................................20 The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC).....................................................................................20 Other University Programs .............................................................................................................20 College Programs............................................................................................................................21 Penn State's Academic Advancement Programs (AAP).................................................................21 The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Penn State Worthington Scranton ......................22 Support of Faculty, Student, and Staff Collaboration and Engagement. .......................................................22 The Student Affairs Research and Assessment Office....................................................................23 Faculty Associates and Advisors ....................................................................................................23 The Students in Distress Program ...................................................................................................23 Collaborative Efforts at Penn State Abington: The Working Group on Student Life....................23 The Fast Start Program ...................................................................................................................24 Challenges and Strategies or Future Directions ............................................................................................24 URL Sites for Best Practices Related to Student Services that Support Teaching and Learning ..................26

III. INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FACULTY IN TEACHING AND STUDENT LEARNING..............................................................................................................................................28

University Expectations for Faculty regarding the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning ..........................28 Penn State Policies that Set Expectations for Teaching and Faculty Development ........................28

Expectations for Faculty Scholarship............................................................................................................29 Expectations for Pedagogical Research in Penn State's Sabbatical Leave Policy ..........................29

Practices to Enhance Teaching and Learning................................................................................................29

University Initiatives to Support Teaching Excellence ...................................................................29 Teaching Awards ............................................................................................................................30 Teaching Support Units and Programs............................................................................................31 Grants and Funding Sources for Teaching......................................................................................35 Evaluating Faculty ..........................................................................................................................36 Challenges and Strategies or Future Directions ............................................................................................37 URL Websites Related to Support and Expectations for Faculty Teaching ..................................................41

IV. EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS AND GENERAL EDUCATION......................................................................43

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................43 Overview of Degree Programs and the First Year Experience......................................................................44

First-year Experience ......................................................................................................................45 General Education...........................................................................................................................47 The First Year Seminar ...................................................................................................................47 Active Learning ..............................................................................................................................47 Writing Across the Curriculum.......................................................................................................48 Intercultural and International Competence (IIC) ...........................................................................48 Health and Activity .........................................................................................................................48 Senate Oversight and Review of General Education ......................................................................49 Disciplinary Education ..................................................................................................................................49 Maintaining Relevance: New and Revised Majors ........................................................................50 Capstone Experiences .....................................................................................................................50 Curricular Enhancements ................................................................................................................50 Academic Enhancement Programs................................................................................................................51 The Schreyer Honors College .........................................................................................................51 Interdisciplinary Programs ..............................................................................................................51 The Bachelor of Philosophy Degree ...............................................................................................52 The Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) Degree Program ...................................................52 Maintaining Quality and Innovation in the Curriculum: Technology and Access ........................................52 Penn State Libraries ........................................................................................................................52 ANGEL as a Support System for Students .....................................................................................53 World Campus, Blended, and Other Web-Based Courses ..............................................................54 Electronic portfolios........................................................................................................................54 Creating a Purposeful Learning Environment ...............................................................................................55 Academic Integrity..........................................................................................................................55 Advising at Penn State: Support, Self-direction, and Responsibility .............................................56 Integration of Classroom and Experiential Learning.....................................................................................57

Undergraduate Research/Creative Experience................................................................................57 Outreach and Public Scholarship ....................................................................................................59 Practice............................................................................................................................................60 Education Abroad Opportunities.....................................................................................................60 Leadership Development ................................................................................................................61 Challenges and Strategies or Future Directions ............................................................................................61 URL Websites for Teaching and Learning in Undergraduate Education ......................................................65

V. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO IMPROVE ACCESS ..........................67

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................67 Restructuring Outreach..................................................................................................................................67

Continuing and Distance Education................................................................................................67 Cooperative Extension ....................................................................................................................68 Public Broadcasting ........................................................................................................................68 The Office of Economic Development ...........................................................................................68 Outreach Marketing and Communications .....................................................................................68 Outreach Client Development.........................................................................................................69 Restructuring the Commonwealth Education System ...................................................................................69 Degree Programs at the Campus Colleges ......................................................................................69 Articulation Agreements at the Campus Colleges ..........................................................................70 Initiatives to Strengthen Outreach .................................................................................................................70 Penn State Outreach Partnership.....................................................................................................70 New Curriculum Initiatives that Expand Access to Adult Learners ...............................................71 Use of Technology to Extend Access............................................................................................................72 Ensuring Access for Special Populations ......................................................................................................73 Programs for Military Service Members.........................................................................................73 Programs for Teachers ....................................................................................................................73 Programs for Law Enforcement and Homeland Security................................................................74 Ensuring Access for Youth............................................................................................................................74 ORION at Shaver's Creek...............................................................................................................74 Summer Bridge Programs funded by the EOPC .............................................................................75 Penn State Public Broadcasting Services for Youth .......................................................................75 Challenges and Strategies or Future Directions ............................................................................................76 URL Sites For Educational Activities And Structuctural Changes To Improve Access ...............................80

VI. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES................................................................................................................81

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................81

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