Montgomery Community College - Institutional Development: Institutional Effectiveness Plan

Institutional Effectiveness Plan

Commercial Technologies Department

Forest Management Technology Program

Mission:

To provide a quality education in technical forest management skills by providing the student with competencies in various woodland operations and preparing graduates for a career in forest resources.

2008-2009 Assessment Outcomes & Use of Results

Program Goal: Purchase replacement Global Positioning Units to ensure students have access to the latest models of Data-Loggers being used in the field of forestry.

Objectives:

All students enrolled in the Introduction to GPS/GIS will have the most recent model of Data-Logger available to assure the units will work with newer versions of software and firmware.
Each student will have an individual Data-Logger capable of handling the increase in the number of data files as the technology requirements increase for the student.

Action Plan:

Secure a quote from Duncan Parnell and complete the Equipment Justification Form with proper approval process and tract the progress through the planning council and cabinet level.
Check with company representative about the possibility of trading in 4 Pro XR’s and 8 Geo XT’s units and replacing them with the newest GEO XT model available. This would be a savings of $12,000 for the college on equipment dollars.

Assessment Strategy:

Each student will have the most recent model Data-Logger to complete all assigned projects for Introduction to GPS/GIS.
Did the college save money on equipment cost by negotiating a trade in for older models.

Assessment Outcomes:

All 14 stations in the GPS/GIS computer lab were upgraded with a 2008 GEO XT purchased by the college.
The college received $1000.00 per Geo XT and $500.00 per Pro XR traded in. The college saved $12,000.00

Use of Results: Instructor will develop advance exercises using newer advance equipment

Program Goal: Forestry instructors will participate in professional development appropriate to their subject area to keep current with technology and maintain professional qualifications.

Objectives:

Forestry instructors should attend training courses that update their knowledge in areas of their expertise.
Forestry instructors should choose courses that meet the 10 hour requirements to maintain their Forester Registration status in North Carolina.

Action Plan:

Look for workshops at the state and national level that will help meet the objectives listed above.
Look for Tele-Courses offered at MCC through N.C State FEOP that will help meet the objectives listed above.

Assessment Strategy:

The adding of new information on certain subjects areas that have had significant changes in technology.
Forestry instructors successful renewal of Forester Registration status.

Assessment Outcomes: Both Forestry Instructors completed the required 10 hours and maintained Forester Registered status in N.C.

Use of Results: ForestryInstructors will continue to seek opportunities to attend training courses, workshops or any outreach opportunities that will help keep them apprised of changes in technology. Instructors will work to find training opportunities that will work within a tight budget for the upcoming year.

Program Goal: Work with the ET department to assure a smooth transition of the Forestry Computer Lab and all of the GPS/GIS Technology to new Forestry Building.

Objectives:

Program Head will meet with the Dean of the ET Department to formulate a plan that assures all equipment will be moved and set up properly for courses that begin January 2009.
Program Head will maintain communication with architects on progress of building construction with emphasis on the computer lab being properly equipped for all computers and GPS equipment.

Action Plan:

Program Head will contact Dean of ET to schedule meetings with appropriate personal that will be involved in the moving process
Program Head will make routine visits to the building when the infrastructure of the computer lab is being built.

Assessment Strategy:

Did computer lab portions of spring semester forestry courses continue on schedule without any delays due to relocation to new building.
Was all necessary infrastructure in place in the new forestry building computer lab thus avoiding any delays in technology set-up.

Assessment Outcomes: In progress

Use of Results: Will evaluate during 09-10 year. 09-10 IE Plan has a new goal with this goal included.

Forest Management Technology Program

Institutional Effectiveness Plan 2009-2010

College Goal: Develop and implement instructional programs and services,both traditional and distance learning offerings, consistent with the assessed needs of the constituent groups in the College's service area and with state and national standards, including training and retraining of the workforce.

Division Goal: Provide facilities, staffing, and services that support educational program delivery.

Program Goal: Work with Vice-President of Instruction to start a Certificate in GIS

Objectives:

Locate qualified Instructors for GIS certificate program.
Have all infrastructure in place for GIS certificate to begin Fall semester 2009.

Action Plan:

Work with V.P. of Instruction and Program Head for CIS, in locating qualified Instructors to design and teach courses in GIS certificate program.
Work with adjunct faculty hired to teach GIS certificate in insure all equipment and software needed to run program have been procured so program can begin Fall semester 2009.

Person(s) Responsible: Forestry Program Head, CIT Program Head, VP of Instruction

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: Beginning June 2009 through May 2010

Assessment Strategy:

Were courses designed and Instructors hired to design and teach GIS certificate beginning Fall semester 2009?
Was all equipment and software need to run GIS program in place for classes to begin Fall semester 2009 and Spring semester 2010?

Budget Needs: $0.00

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2010

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2010

College Goal: Provide an environment that supports employing and retaining a quality faculty and staff and promotes enhanced student learning, achievement, and development in a global society.

Division Goal: Provide access to and guidance in professional development opportunities to strengthen instructional delivery and to prepare for accreditation.

Program Goal: Forestry Instructors will look for affordable professional development opportunities.

Objectives:

Forestry Instructors should attend training courses that update their knowledge in areas of their expertise and try to find reasonably priced courses due to the tight budget constraints facing the college in the 2009/2010 academic year.
Forestry Instructors should choose courses that meet the 10 hour requirements to maintain their Forester Registration status in North Carolina at a reasonable cost.

Action Plan:

Look for workshops at the local, state and national level that will help meet the objectives listed above.
Look for Tele-Courses offered at MCC through N.C State FEOP that will help meet the objectives listed above.

Person(s) Responsible: Forestry Instructors

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: May 2010

Assessment Strategy:

Did Forestry Instructors find Tele-Courses that met the Continuing Forestry Education requirements and were more cost effective than some traditional out of town courses?
Forestry Instructors successful renewal of Forester Registration status while reducing cost of Continuing Forestry Education opportunities.

Budget Needs: $2,000.00

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2010

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2010

College Goal: Provide facilitiesfor student learning that capitalize on state-of-the-art instructional applications.

Division Goal: Provide facilities, staffing, and services that support educational program delivery.

Program Goal: Work with the IT department to assure the proper room design in the new Forestry GPS/GIS Computer Lab.

Objectives:

Program Head will meet with the IT Department to design a room layout that will not only facilitate the best learning environment but also allow the other Forestry courses to continue without disruption due to new design.
Program Head will involve IT Department, other full time Forestry Instructor and new adjunct faculty that will be teaching in lab in the design and layout of lab.

Action Plan:

Program Head will consult Director of IT and Director of Facilities on the proper computer tables needed to accomplish the goal.
Program Head will involve all parties involved in the layout of computer tables and light tables when time to occupy the new lab.

Person(s) Responsible: Program Head, Dean of Education Technology, Director of Facilities

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: May, June, July, August 2009

Assessment Strategy:

Did Forestry GPS/GIS Computer lab design meet all the requirements needed to be efficient for the entire Forestry Curriculum?
Was all necessary equipment in place for the first classes in new lab beginning Fall semester 2009.

Budget Needs: $10,000.00

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2010

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2010