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Microsoft Word Format
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a component of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation process that reflects and affirms our commitment to the quality of higher education and to the proposition that student learning is at the heart of the mission of all institutions of higher learning.
The QEP describes a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issue related to enhancing
student learning. The theme of Nicholls State University's 2006 QEP is L'esprit Engage' . . . The Engaged Mind. The long term plan focuses
on enhancing student learning by engaging students and faculty through critical inquiry. The goals and strategies of our proposed QEP are:
Goal 1: Increase Faculty Engagement in Instructional Best Practices
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1.
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Creation of a Center for Advancing Faculty Engagement (CAFÉ)
• Faculty training in best practices
• Procurement of faculty development resources
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2.
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Faculty participation incentives (e.g., teaching enhancement grants)
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Goal 2: Increase Student Engagement in Effective Learning Practices
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Creation of a collaborative learning environment (e.g., College of Business Collaborative Learning and Resource Center)
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Enhanced integration of assessment, advising, and Univ. 101 courses
• Assessment of student learning strategies
• Remediate ineffective learning strategies and teach effective learning strategies
• Implement a research-based career guidance system
(e.g., theory-based assessment, college career development curriculum)
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Goal 3: Increase student critical thinking through critical inquiry and writing
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Creation of a Learning community
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Faculty development in writing instruction
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Adoption of critical thinking rubric to aid increased writing
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What are the key elements of the QEP equation?
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Faculty engagement in best teaching practices
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Student engagement in best learning practice
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Critical Inquiry
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Improved critical thinking (writing)
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What student learning outcome is the QEP trying to improve?
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Critical thinking demonstrated through effective writing
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Who are engaged faculty?
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Instructors who understand how students learn and what prevents students from learning in general and in respective disciplines
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Instructors who apply best teaching practices in general and in respective disciplines
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Who are engaged students?
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Students who are academically engaged put forth effort to write more papers, read more books, meet more frequently with faculty and peers, use institutional resources, etc.
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Student who are cognitively engaged put forth effort to use effective learning strategies
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What are learning strategies?
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LS are behaviors and thoughts that facilitate learning. These strategies range from students' use of basic study skills to more involved self-monitoring practices to monitor the effectiveness of their learning habits and ability to learn.
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What is critical inquiry?
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CI is an active process (between instructor and learner; learner and learner) that results in critical thinking and creation of new knowledge.
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A non-inquiry-based course = instructor presents a text/lecture and then students write about the text/lecture
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An inquiry-based course = question, investigate, discuss, reflect, and evaluate information provided through the text/lecture by integrating reading, writing, and critical thinking
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Critical thinking occurs when we >>
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analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information
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independently solve problems by generating logical arguments
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make informed judgments of the arguments of others
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value the process of reflection and analysis
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How can faculty get involved with QEP initiatives?
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Develop a thorough understanding of the QEP and its initiatives
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Communicate the goals of the QEP to students and motivate students to participate in initiatives
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3.
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Participate in faculty development initiatives
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4.
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Submit a proposal for teaching enhancement grant
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5.
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Integrate more critical inquiry, critical thinking, writing into my courses
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Use the university’s standard critical thinking rubric to document student learning outcomes
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7.
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Participate in first year experience learning communities
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How can staff get involved with QEP initiatives?
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Develop a thorough understanding of the QEP and its initiatives
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Communicate the goals of the QEP to students and encourage students in their QEP efforts
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Support faculty as they engage in QEP initiatives
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Please visit QEP Final Document to review the complete QEP.
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