Members Present
Dr. Chantelle Anfuso
Dr. Thomas Gluick ( Co-Chair, Secretary)
Dr. Ying Guo ( Co-Chair, Presiding)
Adrienne Harmer, MLS
Dr. Michael Kirberger
Dr. Kevin O’Halloran
Dr. Mai Yin Tsoi
Members Absent
Dr. Rebecca Eaker
Dr Ying Guo opened the meeting at 3:15 PM
Dr Guo reported upon meetings with Dean Mundie (attended by Dr. Guo); Dr. Latanya Hammonds-Odie and Dr. Charmita Burch( attended by Drs Guo and Gluick), and Dr. Rebecca Eaker( attended by Drs Guo and Gluick) that were strongly encouraged by the NSF and USG Funded STEM CURE Mini-Grant Program Committee.
Dean Mundie: (RPG STEM group): Once we have defined questions we want to address, he can help us review the specific data available.
Dr. Latanya Hammonds-Odie and Dr. Charmita Burch: They have been studying the withdrawals in Biol1107&1108, Chem1211&1212 since 2013. The response rate for their data collecting surveys from students who withdrew during the past three years was very low even with incentives. They also suggested resources to help us design our survey.
Dr. Rebecca Eaker(Assistant Professor Psychology): during our meeting was interested in joining the FLC; she will provide an initial draft of interview questions within the next two weeks; she also offered to train any members who are interested in interviewing students. One member asked about Dr. Eaker’s affiliation and her expertise; the chairs answer the question.
Copies of the proposal were passed to the members. We discussed various aspects of the proposal including methods to identify students at risk to withdraw, discussed various strategies to deal with the data, to use Tirza Leader to vet questions in interview or survey, and other issues concerning methodology. Generally described as a brainstorming session.
We assigned tasks based on the objectives listed in the proposal.
Obj 1: gather DFW data from other USG and private institutions to determine whether the rate is pervasive or just specific to GGC or school with similar demographics
Drs O’Halloran and Kirberger volunteered to complete this task.
Ms. Adrienne Harmer mentioned that the 12 schools in Georgia are available.
Obj 2: We decided that this is a low priority since Hammonds-Burch reported the data is scant.
Discussion followed on how we may remedy this situation for the future; including mandatory responses to a questionnaire before withdrawal from class is granted.
Obj 3: Determine whether different teaching methods are independent of the DF or W rate.
Discussion followed as whether this was a worthwhile goal to pursue; discussion revolved around the role of quantitative data when using mixed methods.
Drs. Gluick and Guo decided to take on this task.
Obj 4: Institute a method or methods of recording student reasons for withdrawing from CHEM 1211K and CHEM 1212K
Some discussion of this objective followed.
Dr. Anfuso, Dr, Eaker, Dr. Tsoi and Ms. Harmer volunteered for this task.
Obj 5: Compile an annotated bibliography on STEM retention efforts.
Dr. Gluick discussed one reason why this is a goal; Ms. Harmer added that searching for this information ought not to be a difficult task.
Dr. Anfuso and Ms. Harmer volunteered to complete this task.
Obj 6: too premature to assign this task.
During the meeting we had a discussion concerning how to collect preliminary data to better design our interview or survey questions. Dr. Tsoi thought focus groups would be ideal with the exception that the IRB would not approve the request. Drs. Anfuso and Gluick, expressed sentiments that well thought out survey questions may accomplish the same thing or that preliminary interviews conducted this semester might serve the same role as a focus group. This issue is left unresolved.
We agreed to move the target date for IRB approval to March 3rd, which is a change from what is stated in the proposal. Approval for the IRB may allow us to conduct preliminary interviews this semester. This also sets the deadline for the interview or survey questions to be done before this date.
We discussed various strategies to deal with handling student data. Dr. Anfuso suggested that we use OneDrive instead of Drop Box when handling student data. We informally agreed to use One Drive to store data. Dr. Gluick or Dr Guo will have to set this up.
Dr. Gluick will talk to Judy about training members need to complete for collecting data and doing interviews. Dr. Gluick will report back by the next meeting.
We agreed to increase the meeting frequency to biweekly.
We agreed to meet at 3:00 PM?
We agreed to meet Feb 9th.
The meeting was adjourned around 4:40 PM.
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