Accelerated Summer College: Timely Pedagogical Innovation
Concurrent Session 3
Brief Abstract
The Accelerated Summer College at Saint Michael's is a six-week, eight-credit experience that offers an innovative instructional model to help students get ahead.
Extended Abstract
The Accelerated Summer College at Saint Michael's is a six-week, eight-credit experience that offers an innovative instructional model to help students get ahead. Now in year two, this program was implemented at Saint Michael's to support innovation in teaching and learning, to target new students and new revenue models (that help lower the cost of education and find efficiencies within the educational model) and to better utilize campus infrastructure during the summer months. ASC website: http://smcvt.edu/asc/
Core teaching content is delivered through our course management system and publisher platforms, encouraging thoughtful use of assessment and analytic tools, adaptive learning technology and open educational resources. This program is moving pedagogical innovation forward in a timely, low-risk environment and challenging faculty to re-think course design and content to support that innovation.
Students have face-to-face classes three times per week; with a majority (80%) of course work being done outside of the classroom through e-learning platforms and experiential projects. 85% of students believed this model helped them be better prepared for class, with face-time now being focused on mentored and project-based learning. The residential experience that includes program students living together in a common residence hall builds a 24/7 learning cohort that addresses the isolation that is common among students who take online courses on their own. Frequent interaction with the faculty mentor increases the likelihood of course completion and coupled with adaptive learning and assessment functionality in the online platforms, improves comprehension and course performance. 87% of students agreed with this model, saying they would participate in ASC again.
This program has encouraged continued innovation into our regular academic year, with 42% of the faculty integrating the technologies used in ASC into regular year - one even reducing face-to-face time, allowing for flexible learning and communication via the e-learning platforms.
Building a new program from ideation to execution in nine months introduced many conversations on campus, many happening at faculty meetings. With twenty-five + faculty having experience teaching in ASC, we continue to build, share and innovate. Recently, one faculty member shared" I was skeptical at firstÖbut this turned out to the best class I have had in many years. It was rejuvenating for me."
Virtually, a faculty member will share her perspective from the course design process, discuss support and surprising moments throughout the program, reflect on the challenges and successes of her students and lay out a vision for her
2016 courses. A student will also be joining, sharing his perspective on the program, including how it could help him shorten degree time and personalize his learning path.