The Learning Center ARPD
Part II: Analysis of Program
Testing
The Learning Center (TLC) offered a range of testing services including college placement, proctored
exams for UHMC students, proctored exams for non UHMC students, community proctoring, and
administration of state and national certification exams. The TLC staff collaborated with disability
services and other student development and instructional areas including counseling/advising,
admissions, grant programs, and instructional departments in support of the various student
assessment needs across the campus. Throughout the year, the TLC strived to maintain high quality
testing services and standards. Exam records were stored in secured file cabinets accessible only by TLC
personnel.
Although the UHMC headcount decreased during the 2012-2013 school-year, the proctoring services
increased slightly from 10,815 proctored tests in 2011-2012 to 10,832 proctored tests in 2012-2013.
Testing Services
8000
7000
6000
5000
4000
2011-2012
3000
2012-2013
2000
1000
0
As indicated in the above chart, the TLC realized growth in UHMC make up and disability testing,
distance learning, and community proctoring.
The TLC was open for testing 7 days a week. For most of 2012-2013, the center had one full time staff
position, one .75 FTE casual position, and student assistants. The testing center is within the TLC which
provides tutoring and other learning support services. The TLC staff including student assistants shared
duties for maintaining learning support and testing. There were only 14 computer seats for students to
take online computer based exams, and four carrels and a table for paper-based tests. Aside from
community proctoring, all testing was provided on a walk in basis. During high traffic times, such as final
exams, wait times are longer as we do not have an efficient number of testing stations to accommodate
the influx of test takers. Additionally, there has been a growing need for the College to provide access to
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The Learning Center ARPD
more industry certification exams including ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), testing for the
Department of Public Safety, and other healthcare certifications. It has been difficult to meet the
growing community needs while balancing the increasing UHCC distance learning testing and the UHMC
makeup and disability testing with so few testing stations.
Overall data from the TLC satisfaction survey indicated that 94% of respondents felt the testing services
were very good or excellent.
Learning Center
Tutoring
The Learning Center (TLC) provided technological resources, tutoring, learning strategy workshops,
supplemental instruction, and a study area for UHMC students. In 2012-2013, 2,431 students
(unduplicated) utilized the services in the TLC which was open 7 days a week.
Since the incarnation of the TLC, the peer tutoring program has been one of the primary functions;
although the TLC is not the only program on campus that provides tutoring. Within the budget, the TLC
tried to offer tutoring for every subject area requested. To become a peer tutor, a student must have
gotten a faculty referral, received an A or B grade in the subject, and participated in pre tutor training
and weekly in-service training sessions. Tutoring sessions are 30 minutes in length and required an
appointment. The TLC tutors provided 1,140 tutorial sessions during the 2012-2013 school-year. In
addition to providing face to face tutoring, the College
also provided access to online tutoring services through
Smarthinking.
Total Hours
In fall 2012, in an effort to increase the
success of students enrolled in developmental math
and English courses, the campus provided in-class tutors
who assisted students during class time. Many of the
math and writing faculty modified their instruction to
provide a “workshop” environment where tutors
worked with students one on one or in small groups. The
in-class tutors were funded through grant monies.
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1524
810
718
Total Hours
On a recent TLC survey, 80% of respondents perceived that tutoring helped to improve their grade, and
75% of respondents felt online tutoring was helpful. On the 2012 CCSSE, 78% of respondents indicated
that tutoring was an important service that the College provides. 27% indicated that they frequently
used tutoring services, and 41% indicated they were satisfied with the tutoring services. On the other
hand, 47% indicated that they rarely or never used tutoring which suggests the TLC needs to continue to
focus on marketing learning support services and integrating learning support into courses.
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The Learning Center ARPD
Orientations and Learning Strategy Workshops
It is important to introduce the TLC to as many students as possible. To this end, for the first 3 weeks of
fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters, the TLC staff provided 20 minute orientations to classes including
developmental English, Culinary, ENG 100, Psychology and Social Sciences.
The TLC also offered Learning Strategy Workshops including note taking, study keys, test taking, time
management, writing a research paper, and understanding plagiarism. Staff provided these workshops
in the TLC and in classes upon request from faculty. Workshops delivered in class are tailored to meet
the needs of the students and discipline, for example, test taking for automotive students or writing a
research paper for agriculture.
Learning Strategy Workshop Evaluations
100%
99%
98%
97%
96%
95%
94%
93%
92%
Very useful strategies introduced
Very likely to use strategies
Based on workshop evaluations, 95% or more of respondents indicated that very useful strategies were
introduced in the workshops and that they were very likely to use the strategies in their courses.
Computer Lab and Study Area
During the 2012-2013 school-year, the TLC’s computer lab had 30 computers (both Mac and PCs).
Students also had access to a scanner, printer and copier. The TLC staff provided impromptu tutoring
sessions on basic computer usage, Laulima, and STAR since many students were using computers, the
UH course management and academic planning systems for the first time. The TLC worked with the IT
department to ensure the computer software was up to date and relevant to the courses taught during
the fall and spring semesters.
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The Learning Center ARPD
In the past year, the TLC provided an inviting place to study both individually and in small groups. Many
faculty had textbooks and other resources on reserve at the TLC for students to access. The TLC also
provided a quiet room that students could reserve so they could test or study in a distraction free
environment. Overall, the TLC’s staff and student assistants were and are its greatest strength. They
worked hard to create a friendly and welcoming place where students felt comfortable using the
resources and seeking help.
2012 CCSE data indicated that 50% of respondents were utilizing the TLC lab or other skills labs on
campus, and 81% indicated that the skill labs on campus were important for their education.
Part III Action Plan
Testing
Program improvements such as weekend test availability and updated technology have improved access
and services for the TLC testing center users. However, testing is offered on a drop in basis and wait
times increase during high volume testing periods. Additionally, increasing access to more types of
industry certifications is becoming an important function of the testing center. Lastly, increasing the
quality of test administration is imperative as a post-secondary testing center. The following action plan
articulates how the TLC testing center plans to move forward.
Activity
Increase # of test stations by 4
Person(s) Responsible
TLC Director
Increase number of industry
certification tests proctored by 4
Implement National College
Testing Association Standards
and Guidelines for Post Secondary test centers
Testing Coordinator and TLC
Director
Testing Coordinator and TLC
Director
Timeframe
Add two computer stations by
end of 2013. Add two computer
stations by May 2014.
Completed by May 2014
In process by May 2014
The Learning Center
Like testing, the TLC has improved student access by expanding hours of operation including weekends.
The TLC offers tutoring, learning strategy workshops, computers, printing, and study area access 7 days
a week. Increasing usage of the TLCs resources including tutoring remains the primary focus, as well as,
providing professional development for staff, so they can keep abreast of effective practices and
changing pedagogy. The following action plan articulates how the TLC plans to move forward.
Activity
Develop stronger partnerships
with instructional and student
services faculty to integrate TLC
services into course
Person(s) Responsible
TLC Director
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Timeframe
In process by May 2014
The Learning Center ARPD
requirements and early alert
systems.
Implement a tutor certification
program that identifies
standards and benchmarks for
tutoring programs.
Implement Online Learning
Strategy Workshops so they are
more accessible to students.
Tutoring/Technology
Coordinator and TLC Director
In process by May 2014
Tutoring/Technology
Coordinator and TLC Director
Completed by May 2014
Part IV: Resource Implications
Testing
The TLC’s testing center’s usage continues to increase, and as such, continued funding for trained
proctors and test security is imperative. Additionally, as the needs for computer-based testing continue
to grow, the testing center will need to expand accordingly by replacing the paper-based test cubicles
with computer stations.
The Learning Center
The TLC provides necessary resources and learning support for UHMC students. As previously discussed,
the TLC provides tutoring (at the TLC and in-class), learning strategy workshops, computers, and study
areas. The testing center is part of the TLC, and staff share TLC and proctoring responsibilities. As of
February 2013, the TLC and testing staff consist of a .5 FTE Director, a 1.0 FTE testing coordinator, and a
.75 FTE casual hire who acts as the TLC’s Tutor and Technology Coordinator. The casual position is being
paid through grant funds. The TLC is requesting that the Tutor and Technology Coordinator become a
1.0 FTE regularly funded position so we can upgrade our tutor training program, implement online
learning strategy workshops, and maintain technology in both the computer lab and testing center.
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