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Redesigning General Psychology Course: Challenges and Innovative Solutions in Chattanooga

This document details the redesign of the General Psychology course in Chattanooga, Tennessee, catering to approximately 1,500 students annually. It comprises seven on-ground sections at the main campus and several online offerings. The curriculum ensures uniform learning objectives, with standardized assessments that include quizzes and exams. Faculty collaboration is key to maintaining academic freedom while fostering a climate of innovation. The initiative has led to improved student outcomes, flexible scheduling, and a resource-rich environment that accommodates diverse learning styles.

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Redesigning General Psychology Course: Challenges and Innovative Solutions in Chattanooga

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  1. General Psychology Redesign Challenges and Solutions Chattanooga, Tennessee

  2. General Psychology Course Design • Classes: • total enrollment approximately 1500 per year • 7 on-ground sections main campus (100 students per section) • 3 on-ground sections at satellite campuses (40-50 students per section) • 5 online sections (30-40 students per section) • Contact Hours: • each on-ground section meets 2 hours per week • 2 optional one-hour help sessions per week • Faculty: • 4 full-time faculty (one serves as department chair) • 5 adjunct instructors

  3. General Psychology Curriculum • Curriculum: • Uniform learning objectives and student learning outcomes across all sections • Assessment • Standardized across all sections • 1 syllabus quiz, 1 essay quiz, 14 interactive chapter quizzes, 1 learning strategies quiz, 3 unit exams, 1 final exam • Resources: • Wileyplus Interactive Website • PowerPoint slides, animations, streaming video, online textbook, web resources, self-assessments

  4. Faculty Collaboration • The process • Frequent meetings • Formal and informal meetings • What makes it work? • Maintaining academic freedom • The individual is subsumed to the whole • Candor • Climate of innovation • Willingness to negotiate • Use of humor • Ability to handle criticism

  5. Student Outcomes • Improved student learning – pre and post test data verification • Increased learner-focused curriculum • Designated Psychology area/classroom – building a learning community • Online and on-ground students have the same materials and opportunities • Faculty available for all students (on-ground and on-line) • One website for all on-ground students – maximum peer interaction and interactive mastery learning opportunities

  6. Student Outcomes, Continued • Flexible scheduling • Eliminate drop/add confusion - students can enroll in any open section and attend any section with a seat as many times as they wish • “Now, I know. I need the lecture.” – can begin attending any or all lectures • “Job change. Can’t come to class.” or “My baby is due next week.” - not a problem just complete everything online without benefit of lecture • “Wow, if I’m sick one day or my car breaks down, I can take the exam on one of the other days it is offered.”

  7. Faculty Outcomes • Streamlined management - eliminating replication of work • set of modularized course components that map to desired learning outcomes (one site – one syllabus – one set of materials developed collaboratively) • mass emailing and replication of course calendar • most weeks students receive an informative email --“ How are you doing?”, Office Hours, Due Date Reminders, Study Tips, “Where are you?”, … • Increased office time for other course development or research • Attention to students’ diverse learning styles • Less dependence on adjunct faculty instructors • Collaboration with other colleges and universities

  8. College Outcomes • Increased and consistent faculty use of educational technology • Decreased demand upon classroom space • Reduction of instructional costs • Faculty development of new courses and revision of current offerings • Reduction of administrative hassles – scheduling and drop/add • Curriculum consistency across all sections – increased transferability and reduced grade inflation • Excellent SACS and Academic Audit Reviews

  9. Information • National Center for Academic Transformation http://www.thencat.org/R2R/Abstracts/CSTCC_Abstract.htm • National Center for Academic Transformation- national project outcomes http://www.thencat.org/R2R/R2R_Project_Outcomes.htm • The Learning MarketSpace http://www.thencat.org/subscribe.htm

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