Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success Miami-Dade Community College Professional Development

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001

Enrollment Management Project Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success Focus Groups and Student Success

Miami-Dade Community CollegeMiami-Dade Community College

Professional Development DayProfessional Development Day

March 6, 2003March 6, 2003

Kendall CampusKendall Campus


Click down arrows to advance frames >Click down arrows to advance frames >


What is a Focus Group?What is a Focus Group?

• Definition: A structured, interactive group interview

• Function: To solicit in depth responses to a group of questions

• Composition: 8-15 participants, 1-2 facilitators, and a scribe

• Duration: 1-1/2 to 2 hours


Background Background

Rationale:

To solicit opinions, suggestions, and information regarding factors affecting retention, recruitment and student success

Steps: • Identify target group• Develop questions • Recruit participants• Conduct focus groups and analyze results• Review results with appropriate areas • Develop strategies to address issues identified


Reactions from Focus Group ParticipantsReactions from Focus Group Participants

• Extremely positive

• Honored to be asked

• Heightened sense of ownership

• Comfortable, secure atmosphere

• Optimistic about change


Target GroupsTarget Groups

M-DCC Students•College preparatory students•EAP(ESL) students•Honors College students•Students in HSC0001- Introduction to Health Care•International students

Transfer Students – FIU•With AA degree•Without AA degree

High School Seniors


College Preparatory Mathematics students said…College Preparatory Mathematics students said…

1) Attend class regularly

2) Form study groups

3) Be focused

4) Change negative attitude

5) Talk to instructor about difficulties

Students should:Students should:



1) Answer even basic questions patiently

2) Give practice tests – mirror test format

3) Explain clearly, step by step

4) Change perceived attitude – be positive, motivate

Faculty should:Faculty should:



1) Have smaller classes

2) Increase number, quality of tutors/lab personnel

The College should:The College should:


College Preparatory English students said…College Preparatory English students said…

1) Be more organized

2) Study every day

3) Focus and set goals

4) Prioritize, manage time well



College Preparatory English students said…College Preparatory English students said…

1) Be more energetic and interesting

2) Be more human, sensitive (do not label questions as “stupid”)

3) Be available



College Preparatory Reading students said…College Preparatory Reading students said…

1) Spend more time studying

2) Do assignments promptly

3) Focus and set goals




1) Slow down

2) Make sure students understand

3) Be positive, make students feel comfortable

4) Vary teaching strategies




1) Encourage better customer service

2) Lower the cost of books/ higher resale



EAP (ESL) students said…EAP (ESL) students said…

1) Teach in English only

2) Align classes and labs



EAP (ESL) students said…EAP (ESL) students said…

1) Improve registration – too time consuming

2) Provide orientation about programs, majors, financial aid



Transfer students said…Transfer students said…

1) Take responsibility for themselves

2) Be self-sufficient

3) Connect with other students, work together

4) Know requirements, complete prerequisites



Transfer students said…Transfer students said…

1) Provide better orientation for transferring students

2) Emphasize value and importance of completing AA before transferring



Honors College students said…Honors College students said…

1) Scholarship

2) Better transfer opportunities

3) Challenging, smaller classes

Reasons for enrolling:Reasons for enrolling:


Honors College students said…Honors College students said…

1) Adjust credit load and GPA requirements

2) Offer Honors College mathematics and science

3) Improve the Colloquium



Medical Center Campus students said…Medical Center Campus students said…

1) Be disciplined and not procrastinate

2) Try not to work - get loans, financial assistance

3) Manage stress




1) Lecture less

2) Have one instructor per class – no team teaching

3) Align text, lecture, tests – be consistent




1) Allow financial aid for students in the Accelerated Option

2) Create better faculty evaluations and include written comments

3) Provide professional counseling



HSC0001 students said:HSC0001 students said:

1) Lack of financial support, must work

2) Poor skills (reading, writing, math)

3) Stress (professional and personal)

Problems hindering success:Problems hindering success:


HSC0001 students said:HSC0001 students said:

1) Increase financial aid, extend payment deadlines

2) Offer more individual tutoring, offer speed reading

3) Provide professional counseling

Suggested College solutions:Suggested College solutions:


International students said:International students said:

1) Cost

2) Friends already attending

3) Visited M-DCC on vacation

Reasons for selecting M-DCC:Reasons for selecting M-DCC:


International students said:International students said:

1) Create an SLS course tailored for them

2) Allow students to take fewer than 12 credits –many need to work

3) Designate an area as an international student lounge

4) Provide loans

What the College can do to help international What the College can do to help international students:students:


High school students said…High school students said…

1) Attend for two years and then transfer

2) Really the 13th grade

3) Many students drop out

Miami-Dade means:Miami-Dade means:


High school students said…High school students said…

1) Think parents are against community colleges

2) More like a technical school

3) Lack information about M-DCC

Students would not consider M-DCC because:Students would not consider M-DCC because:


High school students also said…High school students also said…

1) Sending information to students’ homes, providing a “return” portion for specific information

2) Arranging classroom visitations for high school students to see the College, classes and faculty

M-DCC can improve its reputation by:M-DCC can improve its reputation by:


Actions Based on the Results:Actions Based on the Results:Math DepartmentsMath Departments

• Participated in Roundtable Discussions

• Held Retreat

• Revising CP mathematics curricula

• Consolidation of skills taught – core skills taught with more depth

• Modifying instructional delivery


Actions Based on the Results:Actions Based on the Results:Math Departments (con’t)Math Departments (con’t)

•Establishing resource center for faculty

•Increased training for adjunct faculty

•Increased support outside class – align lab & class

• Offer math anxiety workshops


Actions Based on the Results:Actions Based on the Results:Transfer PracticesTransfer Practices

• Plan and conduct orientation for students preparing to transfer

• Collaborate with FIU to address problems students face

• Advertise benefits of completing degree before transferring

• Identify factors which contribute to success once students transfer


Actions Based on the Results:Honors College

• Honors courses to be offered in math and science

• Students will participate in planning colloquium


Future Focus Group Projects:Future Focus Group Projects:

• Transfer students (UM, UF, FSU)

• Vocational students

• High school seniors – college ready

• Web site focus groups


Suggestions from You!Suggestions from You!

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Documents

Media Services North Campus Feb 2001 Enrollment Management Project Focus Groups and Student Success Miami-Dade Community College Professional Development