Micronesian Studies

Program Student Learning Outcomes(PSLOs)

At the completion of 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:

PSLOs 2, 3, & 4 were identified to be assessed for the 2014-2015 cycle based on the previous assessments and recommendations.

PSLO 2 was assessed, using pre and posttests with a scoring rubric, in SS introductory courses. The aim is to assess students’ knowledge on major concepts in the SS courses at the beginning and at the end of a course. The courses assessed include Introduction to Political Science ( SS101), Introduction to Geography (SS120), Geography of the Pacific (SS125), and Micronesian Cultural Studies (SS195).

PSLO 3 was assessed, using reflective writing which focuses on students’ understanding of specific course concepts. The courses assessed include Micronesia Cultural Studies (SS195), Micronesia Government & Politics (SS205), Economy of Micronesia (SS212) and Contemporary Issues in Micronesia (SS220).. The rubric rated students’ knowledge, reasoning, and communication of the core concepts for each course.

PSLO 4 was assessed, using final research papers in two research courses in the program. The courses include Research methods (SS200) and Directed Study (SS280). The rubric looked at the following criteria: Thesis formulation, reliability of sources, analysis, synthesis, and process. Each category will be worth 4 points.

What we found:

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

• The following was found:
  Results for all courses that utilized pre and posttest to assesse student learning show an increase in scores average score from pretest to post-test. While the average overall score from the courses showed an increase for the post tests, the score is still below the passing score. Detail results of the pretest and posttest on individual courses that utilize the pretest and posttest as assessment tools are depicted in Table 1. Base on experience, division faculty think that there are actors that may have influenced students’ performance on the program assessment result which can be attributed to the following:
  
  1. Level of sincerity in taking the pretest and thepost test. Because these assessments are not graded, students put less time and effort in taking them. When it comes to assessing program learning outcomes from the pretest and the posttest, a minor improvement in student learning is shown.
  2. There is a need to review and to map the program learning outcomes with the course learning outcomes because it may be possible that the program assessment tool (pre & posttest) used for assessing program learning outcome may not be directly linked or aligned to outcomes of courses assessed.
  3. Inconsistent number of test takers. It is shown in Table 1 that some courses, more students take the pretest at the beginning of the semester and few take the post test at the end of the semester, while for some courses, this problem is reversed. This means few students are assessed at the beginning and more students are assessed at the end of the semester.
     For further information and detail results on students’ performance on the assessment from the selected courses are indicated in Table 1.

What we are planning to work on:

• Maintain same assessment strategies to assess program outcomes.
• Maintain Research courses at a minimum of 15 students each section.
• Employ more writing exercises in SS courses
• Re-evaluate the validity of pre-post tests

Recommendations for students:

• Students must have good reading and writing skills to articulate ideas, both in written and oral communication.
• Students seek advice of the Micronesian Studies Program advisors in terms of course-planning