2106 Reaffirmation QEP Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 5 Walker Library LTITC Members Present Carol Boraiko, Scott Boyd, Michelle Boyer-­‐Pennington, Dwight Brooks, Bud Fischer, Terry Goodin, Tim Graeff, Ronda Henderson, Neyland Hopkins, Marva Lucas, Sheila Otto, Dianna Rust, Rebecca Smith, Jason Vance Members Absent or Excused Jeff Gibson Ex-­‐Officio Members Present Faye Johnson Others Present Lexy Denton Call to Order Dianna Rust, committee chair, called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm in the Walker Library LTITC. Members signed the roll upon arrival. Focus Group Data Review Tim Graeff summarized the findings from the four session student focus groups held between February 21 and 28. The full report had been previously emailed to committee members for review. Video sessions of each focus group are available for committee review. Brainstorming Dianna Rust, QEP Chair, asked the committee to review four questions to uncover possible topic ideas. Each member was asked to write their answers or ideas on post it notes, post those for review, and then tag ideas they agreed with most. Discussion followed. Each note posted has been recorded with the number of tags (affirmations) they received. For Question 1: What kinds of knowledge and skills are important to the future success of MTSU students? The following themes emerged (written more than once): 1. Writing Effectively 2. Oral Communication > Interpersonal Communication 3. Professionalism/ Career Readiness 4. Literacy > information, quantitative, technology 5. Critical Thinking 6. Problem Solving 7. Independent Learner 8. Understand and appreciate diversity> intercultural awareness 9. Teamwork 10. Apply knowledge to real world 11. Technology 12. Discipline knowledge For Question 2: Based on data, what kinds of knowledge and skills do MTSU students need to improve? The following themes emerged (affirmed by more than 1 tag): 1. Writing Effectively 2. Interpersonal / Workplace Communication 3. Effective Oral Communication 4. Professionalism/Career Readiness 5. Literacy (information, quantitative, digital) 6. Critical Thinking 7. Problem Solving 8. Independent Learner 9. Intercultural Awareness/Diversity 10. Social skills – ethics 11. Connections between knowledge and skills For Question 3: Based on data, are there student population groups the QEP should target? The following groups emerged: 1. First generation 2. Freshman and Sophomores For Question 4: What types of experiences could most enhance learning at MTSU? The following ideas emerged: 1. New pedagogical experiences (see examples below) Active learning
Problem-­‐based learning 
Real world applied learning  In-­‐class simulations matched to out of class experiences 
Inquiry based pedagogy Project-­‐Based Learning 2. Experiential Learning > EXL at lower levels and two EXL connected specifically mentioned 3. Service learning 4. Internships/Job Shadowing > connection with employers in field 5. Learning communities/Linked courses 6. Engagement and community (in class and co-­‐curricular clubs) 7. Multi-­‐national virtual groups linking global learners 8. Peer tutoring (study groups) Announcement The next QEP committee meeting will be held Wednesday, March 19 from 2-­‐3 p.m. in the Cope Conference Room. Committee members will suggest and discuss QEP themes and topics based on data, focus group results, and brainstorming session. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm.