Getting Results Pilot Concludes

BCC just finished its first pilot of the Getting Results new faculty training program on May 20th, a six-module, 18 hour course highlighting important instructional topics like classroom community, technology, assessment, learning outcomes, and learning outside the classroom.

Since the group was small, the following are comments/feedback that participants gave both as a final evaluation and throughout the course of the modules. All participants highly recommended that we run the Getting Results course (with modifications) regularly for adjunct and new full-time faculty.

One exciting outcome of the class is that participants were interested in continuing to meet in the Fall as a “teaching practice” learning community.

Based on the comments below and the experience of piloting the course, it seems clear that we should run the course again in the Fall with attention to module content, timing, and more formative assessment.

- The Parker Palmer book was helpful, but it took time away from the module we were studying

- The Getting Results modules are too focused on vocational education

- Enjoyed exchange of ideas with colleagues and guest speakers

- Good variety of panelists

- Was able to individualize material to my needs

- Needed much more time for participant discussion

- I want to try Smartboard and learn about Blackboard

- The beginning of the course seemed less structured and directed

- It was tough to fit Parker Palmer, module discussion, panels and participant sharing all within one session. Felt like good stuff was being cut short

- I valued learning more about BCC and other departments

- The final project did not have enough time and felt rushed

- The strengths of the program were learning outcomes, learning outside the classroom, and the experience of the group

- Two very valuable parts of the course were rewriting for outcomes and understanding the core competencies

- The course was highly informative

- Interaction with peers/community was most helpful

- Getting Results has made me less hostile to group work

- Need better clarity of roles among facilitators

- The timing of the class starting so late in the semester made final presentations collide with grading = heavy time crunch

- I am changing my syllabus as a response to the Getting Results class

- We needed more time for presentations, at least 20 minutes per person

- Instructors need community, esp. adjuncts. Make sure people are introduced, don’t assume people know each other