Micronesian Studies Program

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

At the completion of the Micronesian Studies Program, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to read, speak and write critically and effectively in English about Micronesian Studies Program course content.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the geographical, historical, and cultural literacy of the Micronesian region.
3. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the structure and functions of the government and social, political, and economic issues concerning the Micronesian Studies course content.
4. Demonstrate the ability to perform research and write papers relevant to Micronesia using different methods and technologies.
5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the requirements of good citizenship in the FSM.

PSLO Assessment Report Summary

What we looked at:

PSLO 2 was assessed for the 2020-2021 cycle based on the previous assessments and recommendations.

PSLO 2 was assessed, using common essay with a scoring rubric, in SS introductory courses. The aim is to assess students’ knowledge on major concepts in the SS courses. The courses assessed include Introduction to Geography (SS120) and Micronesian Cultural Studies (SS195). The rubric rated 3 categories: knowledge, reasoning, and communication of the core concepts for each course

What we found:

PSLO#2: Demonstrate proficiency in the geographical, historical, and cultural literacy of the Micronesian region.

Overall results show that students have proficient knowledge on core concepts in the selected courses. However, their level of reasoning and their ability to communicate the issues are the two weak areas. Students were able to identify issues and topics. The criterion on Knowledge was highest in all 2 courses assessed. The criterion on Reasoning appeared the weakest area, which shows students’ difficulty in looking beyond the concepts. For example, students who were weak in the reasoning had difficulty in linking or articulating how the past events affect current Micronesian culture, geography, economy, and government. Furthermore, they also failed to discuss whether these changes were positive changes or negative changes on Micronesian culture, economy, government, and geography. On the Communication criterion, students were able to identify the issue, yet had challenges in communicating their understanding of concepts, as there were mechanical errors in grammar and sentence structure.

Table 1 shows average class results on common essay that assessed students’ understanding of major concepts in Micronesian Cultural Studies (SS195) for both Fall2020 and Spring 2021. Average score for each performance category is depicted here. The scoring rubric that was used range scores on three aspects of performances (Knowledge, Reasoning, and communication) were assessed as can be seen in Table below.

SS195 Essay	Knowledge	Reasoning	Reasoning
Fall 2020 N=19	85%	65%	73%
Spring 2021 N=22	88%	78%	78%

Table 2 shows average class results on common essay that assessed students’ understanding of major concepts in Introduction to Geography (SS120) for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Average score for each performance category is depicted here. The scoring rubric that was used range scores on three aspects of performances (Knowledge, Reasoning, and communication) were assessed as can be seen in Table below.

SS120 Essay	Knowledge	Reasoning	Reasoning
Fall 2020 N=19	84%	63%	74%
Spring 2021 N=19	74%	63%	74%

The Common Essay Tests were piloted during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. For Fall 2020 the students that met the minimum outcome of 70% were at 79% for Essay I and 74% for Essay II. Essay I was on alternative energy resources and Essay II was on economic challenges in the FSM.

For Spring 2021, the students that met the minimum outcome of 70% were 84% for Essay I and 75% for Essay II. This shows that students enrolled during Spring 2021 did much better than Fall 2020.Since this is baseline data, recommendation is made for further assessment.

What we are planning to work on:

• Maintain same assessment strategies to assess the same program outcomes.
• Employ more critical thinking and writing exercises in SS courses to improve student performance in areas of analysis and reasoning.
• Invite guest speakers to SS classes
• Field trips

Recommendations for students:

• Students must have good reading and writing skills to articulate ideas, both in written and oral communication.
• Complete pre-requisite courses required for SS courses (SS 200 students need to complete both EN120A&B).
• Students seek advice of the Micronesian Studies Program advisors in terms of course planning.
• Students must have laptops and Internet access.
• Follow suggestive courses on the College Catalog.

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Unit Assessment Report

Report Period: 2013-2014