The School of Kinesiology Curriculum Reform Project

The School of Kinesiology Curriculum Reform Project

Grant:
Gilbert Whitaker Fund for the Improvement of Teaching
Academic Year:
2010 - 2011 (June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011)
Funding Requested:
$9,940.00
Project Dates:
-
Applicant(s):
patvanv
Overview of the Project:
The Curriculum Analysis Project will examine two of the four undergraduate majors in the School of Kinesiology (movement science and sport management) along with the discussion about adding a fifth major. Over the past five years the school has grown tremendously. In addition, several new tenure-line and tenured faculty have been hired in each academic area. As is normal, some faculty have been lost due to retirement (2011) and family relocation. The sizable increase in enrollment in both majors requires that we examine how best to meet the academic needs of our students. In the end, we hope to have answered a few key questions including: • Given the increased enrollment of these programs, how well are we preparing lower-division students for upper level coursework? • Additionally, how well are we preparing upper division students for future careers or graduate study? • How can we best maximize the learning of critical knowledge and skills needed for graduates to work in a global environment? • How will the inclusion of a new major meet the needs of current studnets and new students?
Final Report Fields
Project Objectives:
Our new Dean, Ron Zernicke, challenged the faculty to clearly define the mission of the school and to seek common challenges and centers of excellence. Faculty feel it is time to examine best practices at peer institutions, as well as career and graduate school goals of our students and align our curricular structure to keep the School of Kinesiology as one of the leading schools in the country.In the end, we hope to have answered a few key questions including:• Given the increased enrollment of these programs, how well are we preparing lower-division students for upper level coursework ?• Additionally, how well are we preparing upper division students for future careers or graduate study?• How can we best maximize the learning of critical knowledge and skills needed for graduates to work in a global environment?• How will the inclusion of a new major meet the needs of current and future students?
Project Achievements:
Since we were awarded the Whitaker I Grant in January, 2011, we have accomplished a great deal. We have: Formed two student focus groups (one of Movement Science juniors and seniors and one for Sport Management students); convened a Curriculum Analysis Committee; surveyed junior and seniors from Movement Science (44%); surveyed juniors and seniors from Sport Management (56%); conducted curriculum mapping exercises for all four undergraduate majors; surveyed alumni of Movement Science 2007-10 graduates with a 39% response rate; surveyed Sport Management alumni 2008-10 with a 45% response rate; and created a new faculty group to discuss the inclusion of a new major for Kinesiology.
Continuation:
Sport Management faculty will begin to determine the definition of the capstone projects which will allow them to clarify what skills and knowledge students will need. There are several faculty who are interested in working on the early draft of the capstone projects over the spring and summer. We anticipate making curricular decisions based on the capstone model so it’s important that discussions begin quickly. They plan to begin the process with their October monthly meeting and continue through the spring and summer. Three faculty will be charged with the responsibility of creating the transition plan to the new model. This plan will become an important factor as current students need to complete the existing program while the changes are being created. We plan to permit the current first-year students to elect the capstone experience if they so choose. The entire new curriculum will be in place by the time the incoming class of 2012 are seniors. We will continue to utilize CRLT expertise to guide faculty decisions.The Movement Science curriculum can’t change so much that students lose the ability to take the prerequisite courses for medical and physical therapy school. By increasing the specialized courses at the 300 and 400 level and adding new courses (and eliminating some existing courses that have not been offered in years), we believe students will continue to be attracted to the Movement Science major. Two of the new courses are already in preparation and hope to be added to the curriculum by winter 2013. Shifting the existing 300 level courses to 200 can be completed as soon as fall 2012. Creating the transition plan will begin with the November Movement Science faculty meeting and will continue into the spring/summer. Two of the Movement Science faculty have expressed a keen interest in providing a draft of the transition plan and will complete the paperwork necessary to change course numbers and address the other Wolverine Access-needed changes. The entire new curriculum will be in place by the spring of 2016.A separate faculty group is working on a new major. The timeline for implementation includes approval by the full faculty, the Provost’s Office and the Presidents of all the public colleges and universities in Michigan. We anticipate enrolling the first students in fall 2013.
Dissemination:
For Kinesiology colleagues there are frequent updates in the form of e-mail and announcements/discussions at faculty meetings. For colleagues across campus there will be new brochures to share.
Advice to your Colleagues:
The support of CRLT staff is invaluable!
PRINTER VERSION
SEND BY EMAIL