Ethnography of the University Initiative University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign I/NCEPR, 21 July 2007

Overview Program recap Program update Research report Discussion Questions?

Program Recap EUI engages undergraduates in ethnographic research on the university as an institution. Research takes place in EUI-affiliated courses or in special projects. Students’ electronic portfolios—containing field notes, findings, and reflections—are archived and (ideally) widely accessible. The archive contains evidence of student learning.

Program Recap EUI is a faculty-led initiative. It received a one-time grant from the Chancellor. It serves the campus, but is no longer charged to do so.

Program Update Personnel: New co-director, Catherine Prendergast New project coordinator, Tim McDonough New cohort of instructors Technology: Archive (IDEALS, campus digital repository)Archive New platform (Moodle?) New EUI website (beta)New EUI website

Research Report I/NCEPR research amounted to a project evaluation. Question: Can we reliably capture evidence of student learning in a manner that is legible and accessible to students and instructors in future EUI-affiliated courses? Why: Project integrity; EUI cannot sustain itself unless this happens.

Research Report Method: Survey of archived electronic portfolios (conducted by EUI staff). Ethnographic study of selected EUI courses (conducted by EUI students). Content analysis of EUI electronic portfolios (conducted by EUI students and faculty). Interviews with EUI students (conducted by EUI students). Survey (conducted by faculty and graduate students external to the project).

Research Report Analysis of electronic portfolio content: Examined reflective statements by students, looking for awareness that their research led them to understand that the university is constituted by multiple, competing, and incomplete narratives. Examined EUI students’ links to other EUI students’ electronic portfolios, a demonstration of commitment to intellectual community.

Research Report Context for student learning: Instructor case study (Pamela Gauthier, EDUC 300). –Embraced mission –Embraced technology

Research Report Student learning: Student case study (Samantha Wilson). –Reflection Fall (EDUC 300): articulating personal and institutional narratives Spring (EUI Internship): understanding institutional narratives –Linking Form question, then link, or vice versa?

Research Report Reflection: After interviewing LR I found that certain aspects of being a transfer student that upset me. Just from writing up my reactions, I have noticed the development of strong defensive feelings towards individuals who talk about their experience in the campus community and then question my involvement. [...] After reading Astin ([“Student Involvement,” Journal of College Student Personnel 25.4 (1984): ] p. 303), I am also more aware of my own involvement in the university. This awareness has caused me to write in ways I do not want my fellow classmates to see as of yet. Perhaps after I better understand this new awareness I’ll be able to share.

Research Report Another perspective: External evaluation (survey) –Students perceived rigor and appreciated it? –Students sustained interest in subject (cultural diversity at the university)?

Research Report Finding: We can capture evidence of student learning, and we can make it legible and accessible. Challenge: Doing so repeatedly, reliably, and for multiple audiences.

Research Report Next steps: Access. More exit interviews to better understand what’s in the archive and how to use it.archive Legibility. Continue developing alternative representations of archive content that incorporates images and sound. alternativerepresentations

Discussion Accessibility + Legibility = Transparency? How much is enough? How much is too much?

Discussion Further adventures in transparency: NSSE: Augmenting findings with EUI research Accreditation CASTL – Cohort on Undergraduate Research: Focus in part on EUI role in faculty development

Discussion Can the EUI archive have life beyond (or after) EUI?

Questions? Ethnography of the University Initiative University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign