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Summary from iLevel Advisory Committee Meeting - May 22, 2002
Marcel O'Gorman
May 26 2002
Basic Skills Exam
The meeting opened with each of the committee members taking the iLevel Basic
Skills Exam. The exam was administered meticulously by Emmy Yousey and the student
Tech Mentors, who treated us as if we were students (in order to create a nearly
"real-life" scenario). The exam went very smoothly, and was followed
immediately by a discussion.
The iLevel Team was very impressed not only with the set-up of the exam itself
(a combination of print, cd-rom, diskette, web and email materials), but also
with its efficient implementation. Most committee members, however, felt that
there was not enough time to complete the exam--some of us barely made the deadline.
This led to a discussion of the purpose of the exam. The purpose, as Emmy reminded
us, was not to test skills in a "placement exam" fashion, but to assess
the level of computing proficiency of our incoming students. The exam also gives
students an idea of what skills will be expected of them in UDM classes. Most
importantly, perhaps, students who take the exam are offered plenty of tutoring/remediation
opportunities after they take the exam.
The fact that the Basic Skills Exam is not an official Placement Test makes
it difficult to "force" students to take it. There is no incentive.
Hopefully this will be sorted out as UDM redesigns the core curriculum. Our
hope is that the exam will play a key role in "remediating" the core
curriculum.
Marcel O'Gorman suggested that for next year, iLevel might be able to fund
2 laptops, which would be raffled off to students who successfully complete
the iLevel exam (unlimited number of attempts) before the fall term begins.
Marcel was to contact our Title 3 rep for authorization.
Wireless
We have moved forward with the wireless implementation plan. The current priorities
are to have site surveys completed for the Library ($1060 for 58,000 sq ft)
and the Student Union ($1298 for 77,000 sq ft ). We may also consider Calihan
Hall ($1,250 for 94,000 sq ft). The cost for installation will most likely range
between $7,000 and $12,000 for each building.
Laptop Initiative
Tom Jeffrey has prepared a report on laptop requirements at other universities.
He interviewed representatives from Northern Michigan U., Lawrence Tech., and
Sacred Heart U. He also compiled data from other online sources and is preparing
a web site that will act as the information hub of what we might now call UDM's
Computing Initiative. We might call it this only with authorization from Fr.
Stockhausen and Dina Dubuis, who must take a role of leadership in the initiative.
Dina suggested the title "Computing" Initiative because laptops might
not be suitable for all students. UDM needs to establish a policy on computing
for its students to give them an idea of what they need (hardware and software)
to keep up with new instructional technologies being implemented.
Assessment
Elaine Bell, Assessment Director for iLevel, will be working with Emmy Yousey
and Tom Jeffrey to create an Assessment Plan for the remainder of the grant.
The plan will include a survey of students who have taken the basic skills exam,
and a survey of faculty computing skills and needs. Tom Jeffrey will facilitate
the design, delivery, and data collection of the surveys
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