Notes

• Dennis recommends: <http://www.accel-team.com/human_relations/hrels_05_herzberg.html>.

• We need flow diagrams of our continuous-improvement process.

• To guarantee that the worst case exceeds a given threshold, we need to use the uniform norm (minima) rather than weighted sums in assigning grades.

• Mention John Gerdes' exam, syllabus, survey, and grade distribution courseware.

• Mention Video-Based Instruction (VBI) and especially Camtasia.

• Mention the possible mutation-like benefits of some instructors deviating from the general syllabus for a given offering, especially in the presence of a continuous improvement process, where the the benefits/hindrances of their experimental approaches are there for everyone to see.

• The last teachers to be replaced by a CD will be the Marine Drill Instructors. Some theater simply must be live.

• Under ``Lessons Learned'', ABET advises:

  Start as soon as possible Develop a comprehensive plan. Begin implementing the plan as quickly as possible Do not get bogged down in one of the early steps. Close the loops as soon as possible Institution should lead evaluator through evidence Institution should help the evaluator discover how each EC2000 requirement is being met Use consultants with caution -- there can be positive and negative effects. Experience with EC2000 builds confidence for all constituencies. Importance of defining terms. Self-Study Report should describe the evidence that will be available during the visit and is not available in the report. Organize evidence by outcomes for Criterion 3. Evidence should show evaluation and assessment processes are in place and working. Coordination between program assessment and institutional assessment is desirable. Process descriptions should be accompanied with evidence of data reduction, analysis and recommended actions. Use text to strengthen report, do not depend totally on tabular data. Have unique Program Outcomes, total reliance on outcomes a-k usually indicates taking the ``easy way out". Faculty from the most successful programs participated in training sessions and talked with faculty at other institutions. Dean needs to be aware of what programs are doing to meet EC2000 criteria. Should not depend only on ``long time constant" assessment tools. Surveys should be only one of several evaluation and assessment tools used. Tie criteria requirements for faculty, facilities, etc. to objectives, outcomes and continuous improvement. No apparent relationship between success and the size of the school. Successful Programs Have Two Common Characteristics:

  • a faculty member who is highly committed to developing and guiding implementation,
  • sincere involvement of the faculty members.
• It has been noted in (something reachable from) one of the on-line references that there are usually grad students in the local education school who would be interested in helping with a project like this one.