Unleashing the Potential in Every Student BY WAYNE BOWEN, PH.D., INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN, COLLEGE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Our first and hopefully last hurricane is behind us. Our work to advance UCF’s General Education Program learning outcomes continues. This newsletter edition focuses on measuring, advancing, and investing in GEP. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find.
- Details about the new GEP Award that encourages and funds professional development
- Assessment continues, and we need your help measuring our progress in meeting the GEP Foundation Learning Outcomes. We’ve extended the submission period to November 18.
- Resources are available to help you incorporate GEP branding and information into your course materials. The GEP Faculty Learning Community is a great place to start.
I can’t stress enough that your work unleashes our students’ potential. The GEP team is to support your efforts. If you have questions about the GEP, please email us at GEP@ucf.edu.
Space is Limited! GEP Town Hall
Join faculty colleagues for lunch and a guided discussion of the General Education Program. The event will take place from 12 – 1:15 p.m. on Monday, October 17, in the Student Union room 221.
Space is limited to 30 faculty members. RSVP by Tuesday, October 11, to GEP@ucf.edu. Confirmed participants will receive an email with event information, including meal choices.
GEP Assessment Updates!BY ANNABELLE CONROY, PH.D., GEP FACULTY FELLOW
This Fall, we will continue the process of GEP assessment. We need your help ensuring that all GEP instructors submit an assessment that measures at least one of the Foundation Learning Outcomes, preferably by October 28 (the Withdrawal deadline). To give faculty and departments more time, as well as factoring in the impact from Hurricane Ian, we’ve extended the submission deadline to November 18.
The simplest way to do this is to have an assignment that measures the first Learning Outcome in your foundation. The assignment can be in any format you consider the most appropriate for your class (quiz, essay, and so on). The GEP rubrics for assessing these assignments are available on Canvas. Since the New Quizzes tool does not yet support the GEP Learning Outcomes, CDL has recommended that you use the Classic Quizzes.
Faculty with 50 or fewer students in their GEP course should submit assessment data on 100% of their students. Those with 51 or more enrolled in a course can submit assessment data on 50 students, selected by random sampling.
For instructions on incorporating the GEP Learning Outcomes into your course, please see the General Education Faculty Learning Community Canvas course, which has a step-by-step guide. We will update the site with more information and resources as they become available. Please check the site regularly for updates, tips, and other resources.
The assessment task force will be convening during the Fall term. Please let me know if you wish to participate in this task force or any of the meetings. The first meeting will take place on Monday, October 10, at 4 p.m. via Zoom (information below). If you have any questions, please email me or the GEP mailbox.
Assessment Task Force Zoom Information
Link: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/94030256766?pwd=SUlOSjEyNXVXZ2lXazVOTUFjV0tCZz09
Meeting ID: 940 3025 6766
Passcode: 098163
New Award Supports GEP Faculty
The College of Undergraduate Studies is introducing the General Education Program Award. Its purpose is to recognize and promote ongoing faculty professional development supporting GEP courses, methods, and pedagogy at UCF. There will be up to seven awards each academic year. Three awards will be $1,000, and four will be $500. The application period is October 17 – December 16. Award information and application instructions are available here.
Need Ideas About the GEP? We Have Answers.
BY AMY DARTY, M.A., GEP FACULTY FELLOW
Fall is in the air, at last! We are launching projects, connecting with students, meeting with colleagues, and going about the vocation of educating. We are adapting transparent communication with students and our peers about the value of the UCF General Education Program (GEP) by deliberating making it visual and relevant.
Here’s to all who added GEP images, Learning Outcome icons, or core Foundations explanations to syllabi, course pages, rubrics, assignments, exams, or projects. You are helping your students see and learn more about connecting disciplines across GEP courses and critically thinking about their future success.
If you are unsure what GEP branding, Foundations descriptions, or templates are available, check out the GEP Faculty Learning Community. Just self-enroll to join it.
Here are a few ways the GEP Faculty Learning Community can help you:
Want to spruce up your look? Use the Grab & Go Branding Marketing module for icons, tags, color-coded foundation descriptions, and more.
Need a quick activity connecting the dots but are not ready to adapt to something bigger yet? Use one of the Materia widgets or videos provided as a download to pop into your class
Feeling ambitious? We have risen to that challenge, too! Our fantastic team of GEP co- Leads created new templates and samples to share their ideas. Access integrations to adapt for your needs from the Assessing the GEP in My Course Module.
We are pleased to have renewed support from a great group across the UCF’s colleges willing to help GEP faculty. Our efforts range from practical to brainstorming. Remember, we are here for YOU!
Have ideas about how we can do more? Tell us what you are creating and how you bridge the gap with students. Need something on the Learning Community site we haven’t thought of yet? Let’s talk.
Questions? Please contact me.
| If you have questions or need additional information about the GEP, please email GEP@ucf.edu. |