The Macro Level Context of Teaching and Learning

AKD SymposiumTeaching and Learning

Southern Sociological Society 2014

Maxine P. AtkinsonNC State University

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The Olden Days….

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Olden Days

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But………………….• 1973 Teaching Sociology first published

• 1980 Passing on Sociology: The Teaching of a Discipline by Charles A. Goldsmid and Everett K. Wilson

Modern Era 1990 Boyer Scholarship Reconsidered

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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Chin, 2002 SoTL in Teaching Sociology (1984-1999)

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TodayStudent Debt, Lack of State SupportAccountabilityAssessmentOnline LearningMOOCSContingent Work

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Diminished State Support, Increased Student DebtThe tipping point: students are beginning to

pay more in tuition than statesWithin 20 years, 6 states will provide no

support(CO, AK, SC, AR, RI, VT)

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Cuts to Higher Education

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Tuition has increased sharply

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Student Share of Cost of Ed

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Student DebtAmong 27 yr olds who went to college…40% have no student debt, 36% have $25k or less, 13% have between 25 and 50k, 11% have 50k+Only 33% have a bachelor’s degree or higher

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Accountability, AssessmentShould our degrees be tied to jobs?

Competency based learning?

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Obama’s Ratings ProposalAccess (% Pell Grants)Affordability (Tuition)Outcomes (graduation and transfer rates,

graduates’ earnings, graduates’ advanced degrees)

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Online Courses32% US students

87% colleges have courses

62% colleges have some online program

http://sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/changing_course_2012 15

http://www.usnews.com/education/

online-education

Are online courses effective?

Bergstrand and Savage. 2013. Teaching Sociology, July.

Driscoll et al. 2012. Teaching Sociology, July.

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The Council of Independent Colleges and the Teagle Foundation

Consortium for Online Humanities Instruction

20 Small Colleges Offer Online Courses for Member Institution Students

The Future?• State U Onlinewww.newamerica.net/publications/policy/state_u_online

State University systems organizing their online courses and programs

• More Programs online

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Challenges?

Faculty Buy-inRetentionReward StructuresCredentialsCredit, including transfer

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MOOCS!Massive open online courses

Companies: Coursera, Udacity, edX, 2U

Potential Problems?......for us….., not companies

Potential Advantages?

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Employers, MOOC Potential“If [an applicant] is trying to educate themselves, it says something about the individual. [It shows that individual wants] to stay on top of what is going on in their field.”

“We’re always looking for ways and options for team members to engage in ongoing learning to help the business grow.” 22

Contingent Faculty

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Contingent ChallengesLow PayDifficult Work EnvironmentInadequate Hiring Policies

Short Lead TimeLimited Job SecurityNo Professional DevelopmentNo Involvement in Curriculum PlanningLimited Office Space, Support

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Standards for NTT FacultyRecognize high performing facultyWritten procedures for hiringSupport for professional developmentIncrease lead timeHire more full time NTTIntegrate into departments

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Impact on Student LearningLack of contactLimited use of high impact pedagogiesNegative effect on retentionNegative effect on graduation rates

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Recapping Today’s Challenges

Diminished State SupportIncreased TuitionIncreased Student DebtIncreased AccountabilityObama’s Ratings ProposalOnline Learning MOOCSTwo-Tiered Faculty

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Opportunity? Challenge?Would you rather…

Develop and teach an online course?

Create an advising program that connects your majors to jobs?

Design an assessment instrument that evaluates students’ critical thinking skills?

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Sociologists have marketable skills to teach!

Sociologists have valuable skills for the university!

Teaching is likely to become more highly valued.

Sociologists understand the importance of job conditions.

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The Future?

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