April 15, 2008
It Takes a College Conference was the Student Services Annual Conference, that hasn’t
happened in years. Fortunately, a very dedicated and large group of people worked
very hard and brought it back – stronger than ever before.
Vincent Tinto, renowned scholar in education and sociology was the Keynote. Tinto’s
research on student retention and learning communities is extensive. The theme of his
speech was, Access Without Support is Not Opportunity. How true and getter truer.
With more students needing remediation (greater than 70% cannot doing math and
English at the college level), achievement gaps increasing (only 52% earn a certificate,
degree or transfer within 6 years, 41% for African Americans and Latinos), and budget
cuts in the millions, support is more critical than ever.
Tinto admonishes against dumbing down curriculum and lowering standards. “Never
shoot low.” All syllabi must have very clear expectations, for these students who spend
very little time reading and less processing nuance. Support, continuing feedback and
student engagement are key to success. Student Services, Counseling, must be at
the core of each student’s journey.
Learning Communities, linked classes, Basic Skills Initiative, and First Year Experience
programs were at the core of the workshops I attended. Of course these are all
related. What I am researching are programs for Basic Skills students. Perhaps a
linked class: English 100A with PSCN or Early Childhood 50 and PSCN. Or a linked
community, not unlike the Foundation: English 100A or 104, PSCN, MathXX, and one
transferrable class (ideas might include PSCN 13, Music 4 or 5, Theatre). We can take
things to yet another level through Themed Communities: Social Justice, The Earth,
Health and Wellness….
So…we have the classes down on paper, now how do we reach these students. Jim
Gaston, Associate Director of Information Technology, South Orange County
Community College District, was the Endnote Speaker. Gaston’s presentation on
Reaching and Teaching the iPod Generation was riveting. If we know this is the way of
the future, why not begin now. We really can by making small, incremental changes in
how we teach. Get to them through My Space or Facebook: Email, I’ve learned is
almost passé. (Who new?) Use Podcasting. Reach them where they are and work
from there. I highly recommend Gaston as a Staff Development guest speaker.
Thank you for the opportunity to go to this conference.
Nancy Wright
C: /word/SSconf08staffdev/nw