ASC STEM Journal Forum - Spring 2020

Submitted by Christopher McNeal on
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What is the Purpose of the Assessment?

Newly enrolled STEM students are not aware of how important it is journal for their STEM courses at Estrella. 

Describe the necessity for this assessment

Last Fall, STEM Faculty collaborated with the ASC to find ways to connect with students about the significance of journaling for STEM courses. The STEM Journal Forums were created.

Describe how the practice will be implemented

The ASC created a journal forum using a panel of STEM tutors, who have previously taken various STEM courses that required journaling, for students to hear about how why this is an important component of STEM courses at Estrella. Students received insightful information about journaling, the requirements, and examples of the tutors' journals for ideas. This semester, the forums were scheduled at the beginning of the semester, targeting students new to STEM courses. 

Interpret, compare, and describe the results

Results:

Total sign-ups: 31

Total attendees: 27, up from 25 last semester

96% have a better understanding of how to journal

100% thought the tutors were very knowledgable about STEM journals

100% understand the importance of journaling for STEM courses

100% have ideas they will use to make their journals more helpful

56% go to tutoring for assistance with their journal 

After analyzing, and reflecting on the outcome, what are the next steps?

Compared to last semester's pilot forums, we saw an increase in our goals of getting students to understand the importance of journaling for STEM courses. This includes an increase in oour lowest component - getting to students to come to tutoring for journal assistance. We also diversfied our tutors to include journaling for Biology and Chemistry courses as well. Our next steps is to increase student attendance of our forums, and to provide journal assistance in tutoring. 

Abstract

The STEM program has grown over the past two years, and has caused an increase in tutoring support for Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology courses. With the implementation of the STEM journal, students are able sufficiently prepare for their courses. The STEM tutors of the Academic Success Center are able to share helpful information and insight, for they went through the same courses and instructors as our current students. Our tutors are a shining example of success for STEM courses, so we are obligated to share our success with our students, especially those who are incoming into the STEM field. 

Special Thanks Shout-Outs

Tracy Tanner and Nuria Sanchez, STEM advisors who helped get the word out!

Anastasia Martinez, Jose Garcia, Jorge Gonzalez, Cody Durrer, and Oscar Gutierrez, our STEM tutors in the Forums this semester!

Becky, Angela, Dwain, and various STEM faculty and staff!

Division/Department
Mathematics
Completed Full Cycle
Yes
Attachment Size
asc-stem-journal-data.xlsx 15.35 KB
Assessment of the Month

Comments

Catherine Cochran Tue, 02/18/2020 - 1:57pm

Hi Chris,

Thank you for sharing this.  Great work creating the STEM Journal Forums!  I am glad to hear that our students have responded well to this new practice!

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Melanie Newell Wed, 01/10/2024 - 12:44pm

Hi Chris,

As I am a new teacher, I am wondering if you still have a STEM Journal Forum? Is this partnership still active between faculty and the Academic Success Center? Is this something that the tutoring center does or could do today?

Thank you for sharing this experience, where those of us newbies can look back and see the interventions that are or have been tried at EMCC. I am a big proponent of journaling and hope that we continue to engage students in this practice for years to come.

Thank you for sharing,

Melanie

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