Dr. Abdullah Jamos
Assistant Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders
To see more funded grants, check out our Internal Assessment Grant page.
Public Affairs Focus Group #1
Date
Friday, December 1, 2017, 12:15pm-1:45pm
Participants
15 total participants currently admitted into the CSD degree program. 9 SLP majors, 4 Audiology majors, 2 EDHH majors.
Items Discussed
How effectively MSU’s public affairs learning outcomes have been introduced, reinforced, and emphasized throughout the CSD coursework. Specifically, the focus group looked at Public Affairs goals/assessment measures for the following courses:
- CSD 312, Normal Language Acquisition
- CSD 321, Sign Language: Signed English I
- CSD 330, Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL I)
- CSD 380, Development, Diversity, and Deafness
- CSD 388, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Discussions were held in a guided, semi-open format, with care taken to ensure all participants were able to have their voices heard. Students also were able to make anonymous notes on a worksheet provided, which were later incorporated into the results by the facilitators.
Action Items
Compile transcript based on anonymous participant notes. Creation of document summarizing audio recording. Meeting to discuss FG assessment and begin preparation for SP18 FG.
Public Affairs Focus Group #2
Date
Monday, April 30, 2018, 3:15pm-4:45pm
Participants
6 total participants, who were enrolled in CSD 572 (Aural Rehabilitation – capstone course).
Discussions were held in a guided, semi-open format, with care taken to ensure all participants were able to have their voices heard. Students also were able to make anonymous notes on a worksheet provided, which were later incorporated into the results by the facilitators.
Action Items
Compile transcript based on anonymous participant notes. Creation of document summarizing audio recording. Meeting to discuss FG assessment.
Project Results
Both focus groups were valuable information gathering sessions. A good deal of course specific information was gathered, as well as broader information and perceptions regarding Public Affairs. Having representatives of all three CSD majors present lead to excellent discussion and a comparing and contrasting of the differences between the programs. Generally, students agreed with one another and were supportive of the goals of the focus group. Information taken from both focus groups was later compiled and discussed. Changes to be made to address the issues identified are discussed in detail below.
Outcomes Addressed
All CSD Undergraduate Public Affairs course objectives and assessment measures were discussed. When applicable, data collection methods as they relate to assessment was also discussed. A complete list of CSD Public Affairs objectives, assessment measures, and data collection plans are included in the attached document, “Final Approved CSD Undergraduate Assessment Plan”
Changes that will occur in the future due to this project
Beginning in the Fall 2018 semester, courses will include information in the syllabi regarding Public Affairs objectives and assessment measures. Focus group participants overwhelmingly felt that by being more aware of the specific departmental public affairs’ goals, they would stand a much better chance of incorporating these ideas and objectives into their coursework, and ultimately, their lives.
New learning, new curriculum, recommendations for future projects
At the departmental level, discussions will begin to address two main areas of focus. The first involves the SLP students, who are missing some areas of Cultural Competency that the AUD and EDHH students are getting involving Deaf culture. There are several ways this problem could be addressed, including coursework changes and additional outside activities. The other area of discussion will involve improving the overall development of Ethical Leadership pillar through the CSD curriculum. Many students reported that, of the three Public Affairs pillars, Ethical Leadership was the most difficult for them to achieve, and there was extensive discussion regarding challenges in identifying events or activities that helped to reinforce this objective.
Handouts, student work, survey results, etc.
Attached: “Final Approved CSD Undergraduate Assessment Plan.”