Pam Ethridge, Coordinator P.E. & Fitness Center Welcome to A.A.S. Fitness & Exercise, Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Certificates

A little background PT certificate –approved April 2001 –implemented Spring 2002 –35 credits/13 core classes required A.A.S. –approved March 2004 –Implemented Fall 2004 –65 credits/16 gen ed/19 core classes required Group Fitness certificate –approved March 2004 –14 credits/14 core classes The entire program is taught by adjunct faculty

IDENTIFICATION OF OUTCOME OBJECTIVE The ability for the students to successfully retain and implement the knowledge received over a long period of time. HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS? By the development of several assessment techniques: –Direct - provides a students knowledge or skill against measurable learning outcome OR –Indirect - measures the value of learning experience Our program uses both direct and indirect measures.

EXIT EXAM Direct measure Advantages Content can meet specific goals, objectives Rapid feedback-graded locally Greater faculty control of interpretation and results Easy to administer Disadvantages Requires a lot of coordination, especially during development May not provide for externality No outside expert assuring the validity and reliability

NOTEBOOK Direct Measure Advantages Can be used to view learning and development Economical in terms of student time and effort Greater faculty control over interpretation and use of results Avoids “test anxiety” problems Great for faculty exchange and development for curriculum goals and objectives Disadvantages Evaluator time increased Rubric is likely to be challenging

Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF) Indirect Measure Advantages Provides immediate feedback Can include a greater variety of questions than on a survey Opportunity to interact with students Since a third party is moderating, students can answer questions openly Students know their comments are looked at seriously Disadvantages Requires direct contact May be intimidating to students Results tend to be highly dependent on wording of questions (off topic) Can be time consuming Scheduling of the trained moderator

INTERNSHIP SUPERVISOR SURVEY Indirect Measure Advantages Can provide unique input-how is the program serving their purpose? Relations may improve Convey a sense of importance regarding their opinions Disadvantages Good surveys are more difficult to construct than they appear Confidentiality may be a problem, if mailed Return of surveys from supervisors

DATA AND ANALYSIS EXIT EXAM 2005 – 1 st year –No grade issued –Only noted completion –Mean score – 2 nd year –Grade issued for exam –No minimum pass rate –Mean score – 3 rd year –actual score issued for exam with a pass rate of 70% –could take a 2 nd time – same exam –Mean score – 4 th year –grade issued as 100 points for passing –70 points if taken 2 nd time –0 points if did not have a pass rate of 70% – (different exam) –Mean score 71.36

Question content is reviewed yearly by program adjunct faculty, coordinator, and Advisory Committee utilizing an item analysis report. Measurable improvement in median scores. DATA AND ANALYSIS (cont.) EXIT EXAM

DATA AND ANALYSIS Notebook 2005 – 1 st year –comprehensive notebook required 2007 – 1 st year –notebooks for individual classes made a requirement along with comprehensive notebook Graded by rubric

Rubric Used for Notebook

DATA AND ANALYSIS SGIF Questions and Comments: What works in the program? –Hands on practice and internship very beneficial –Start of the art equipment also a real benefit –Order of classes – each building on previous courses What does not work in the program? –Nutrition class once a week –Biomechanics class for only eight weeks –Too much down time at intern sites

What changes would you recommend? –Room designated for practice, etc. –More hands on assignments –Making PSC a national certification test site –Pay interns during internship –More sections offered for each course, not just offered one time a year –Shadow personal trainers more Were you prepared for your internship? –Yes. (academically). No. (financially). DATA AND ANALYSIS (cont.) SGIF

Exit Exam Responses: –Time Time allotted was OK Give time for bathroom break –Content There should be better alignment between what instructors teach and what exam tests. No scratch paper available for computations. –Preparation Study guides were vague; not helpful Give practice test or review session. DATA AND ANALYSIS SGIF

1.How well was the student prepared for the internship? Solid science foundation Practical application of fitness theories strong Good base 2.Did the student have an understanding of fitness components and application skills? Picked up quickly Asked for help when needed Each day improved his ability to apply what he learned DATA AND ANALYSIS Internship Supervisor Survey

3.If a position becomes available, would you hire the PSC intern? Yes I will /have hire/ed him/her 4.Did the program coordinator communicate effectively with you i.e. solving problems, responding quickly to questions, etc.? Yes, with very detailed requirements. 5.Would you consider hosting an intern in the future? Would absolutely host another intern We are reviewing our program internally to provide better personal training We’d love to! DATA AND ANALYSIS (con’t) Internship Supervisor Survey

ACTION TAKEN Nutrition for Sports & Exercise met Spring 2007 two days a week instead of one day. Biomechanics was increased from eight weeks to ten weeks. Group Fitness Instructor class was expanded to a 16 week class. A task list of intern duties and goals has been included in the internship guidelines booklet.

ACTION TAKEN … (con’t) Improved relationship with Intern site supervisors Addition of a designated classroom Continual update and addition of new equipment. Up-to-date reference books added to the library inventory More hands on work in classes and at internship

New Assessment Project We will be taking a look at the success of students who complete English and Communications prior to entering the Fitness & Exercise program. Rubrics and course requirements will be attained by corresponding departments and utilized to help measure student progress. Goal: To evaluate whether taking English & Communications are vital to a student’s success.

Thank You … Pam Ethridge Coordinator P.E. & Fitness Center Chicago Heights, IL Phone: Fax:

PLEASE NOTE… Some information in this presentation was taken from the workshop “Assessment Fundamentals", presented by Gloria M. Rogers of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology