Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success Miami-Dade Community College Professional Development Day March 6, 2003 Kendall Campus Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Click down arrows to advance frames >

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 What is a Focus Group? Definition: A structured, interactive group interview Function: To solicit in depth responses to a group of questions Composition: 8-15 participants, 1-2 facilitators, and a scribe Duration: 1-1/2 to 2 hours

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Background Rationale: To solicit opinions, suggestions, and information regarding factors affecting retention, recruitment and student success Steps: Identify target group Develop questions Recruit participants Conduct focus groups and analyze results Review results with appropriate areas Develop strategies to address issues identified

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Reactions from Focus Group Participants Extremely positive Honored to be asked Heightened sense of ownership Comfortable, secure atmosphere Optimistic about change

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Target Groups M-DCC Students College preparatory students EAP(ESL) students Honors College students Students in HSC0001- Introduction to Health Care International students Transfer Students – FIU With AA degree Without AA degree High School Seniors

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory Mathematics students said… 1) Attend class regularly 2) Form study groups 3) Be focused 4) Change negative attitude 5) Talk to instructor about difficulties Students should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory Mathematics students said… 1) Answer even basic questions patiently 2) Give practice tests – mirror test format 3) Explain clearly, step by step 4) Change perceived attitude – be positive, motivate Faculty should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory Mathematics students said… 1) Have smaller classes 2) Increase number, quality of tutors/lab personnel The College should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory English students said… 1) Be more organized 2) Study every day 3) Focus and set goals 4) Prioritize, manage time well Students should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory English students said… 1) Be more energetic and interesting 2) Be more human, sensitive (do not label questions as “stupid”) 3) Be available Faculty should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory Reading students said… 1) Spend more time studying 2) Do assignments promptly 3) Focus and set goals Students should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory Reading students said… 1) Slow down 2) Make sure students understand 3) Be positive, make students feel comfortable 4) Vary teaching strategies Faculty should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 College Preparatory Reading students said… 1) Encourage better customer service 2) Lower the cost of books/ higher resale The College should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 EAP (ESL) students said… EAP (ESL) students said… 1) Teach in English only 2) Align classes and labs Faculty should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 EAP (ESL) students said… EAP (ESL) students said… 1) Improve registration – too time consuming 2) Provide orientation about programs, majors, financial aid The College should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Transfer students said… 1)Take responsibility for themselves 2)Be self-sufficient 3)Connect with other students, work together 4)Know requirements, complete prerequisites Students should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Transfer students said… 1) Provide better orientation for transferring students 2) Emphasize value and importance of completing AA before transferring The College should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Honors College students said… 1) Scholarship 2) Better transfer opportunities 3) Challenging, smaller classes Reasons for enrolling:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Honors College students said… 1) Adjust credit load and GPA requirements 2) Offer Honors College mathematics and science 3) Improve the Colloquium The College should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Medical Center Campus students said… 1)Be disciplined and not procrastinate 2) Try not to work - get loans, financial assistance 3) Manage stress Students should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Medical Center Campus students said… 1) Lecture less 2) Have one instructor per class – no team teaching 3) Align text, lecture, tests – be consistent Faculty should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Medical Center Campus students said… 1) Allow financial aid for students in the Accelerated Option 2) Create better faculty evaluations and include written comments 3) Provide professional counseling The College should:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 HSC0001 students said: 1)Lack of financial support, must work 2)Poor skills (reading, writing, math) 3) Stress (professional and personal) Problems hindering success:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 HSC0001 students said: 1)Increase financial aid, extend payment deadlines 2)Offer more individual tutoring, offer speed reading 3) Provide professional counseling Suggested College solutions:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 International students said: 1) Cost 2) Friends already attending 3) Visited M-DCC on vacation Reasons for selecting M-DCC:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 International students said: 1)Create an SLS course tailored for them 2)Allow students to take fewer than 12 credits – many need to work 3)Designate an area as an international student lounge 4) Provide loans What the College can do to help international students:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 High school students said… 1)Attend for two years and then transfer 2)Really the 13th grade 3) Many students drop out Miami-Dade means:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 High school students said… 1)Think parents are against community colleges 2)More like a technical school 3)Lack information about M-DCC Students would not consider M-DCC because:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 High school students also said… High school students also said… 1)Sending information to students’ homes, providing a “return” portion for specific information 2)Arranging classroom visitations for high school students to see the College, classes and faculty M-DCC can improve its reputation by:

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Actions Based on the Results: Math Departments Participated in Roundtable Discussions Held Retreat Revising CP mathematics curricula Consolidation of skills taught – core skills taught with more depth Modifying instructional delivery

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Actions Based on the Results: Math Departments (con’t) Establishing resource center for faculty Increased training for adjunct faculty Increased support outside class – align lab & class Offer math anxiety workshops

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Actions Based on the Results: Transfer Practices Actions Based on the Results: Transfer Practices Plan and conduct orientation for students preparing to transfer Collaborate with FIU to address problems students face Advertise benefits of completing degree before transferring Identify factors which contribute to success once students transfer

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Actions Based on the Results: Honors College Honors courses to be offered in math and science Students will participate in planning colloquium

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Future Focus Group Projects: Transfer students (UM, UF, FSU) Vocational students High school seniors – college ready Web site focus groups

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Suggestions from You! ??????