Accomplishments and Functions to Date:

Convened eight committee meetings

o Convened three cluster coordinator meetings

o Reviewed, suggested revisions for, and accepted three new clusters
(with two more ready for our review)

o Facilitated cluster coordinator changes for four clusters

o Facilitated the renewal process for the first eight clusters
(which were the only ones due for renewal this semester given the ILS timeline)

o Created standardized documents for the following: cluster annual reporting, cluster renewal, cluster application, and cluster approval

o Developed SLOs for clusters and related multi-layered assessment system

o Developed a comprehensive faculty development plan

Cluster Assessment

Cluster SLOs

As a result of completing an ILS topical cluster, students should be able to:

o Effectively display knowledge of multiple disciplines by identifying the differences between theoretical concepts and frameworks in the courses in their cluster

o Effectively display knowledge of multiple disciplines by identifying the commonalities amongst the theoretical concepts and frameworks in the courses in their cluster

o Develop an appreciation for multidisciplinary learning as evidenced in writing and speaking assignments completed within cluster courses

Multi-Layered Assessment System

The multi-layered assessment system is designed to fulfill university requirements, and assist cluster coordinators with viewing data about their cluster and identifying areas for improvement with regard to facilitating more specific and transparent interdisciplinary connections among cluster courses where students are concerned

Indirect Summative Assessment – Program Level

IR creates a subscale of three National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) items germane to clusters, conducts an internal consistency rating of these items, analyzes the items pre- and post-ILS implementation for comparison

In your experience at your institution during the current school year, about how often have you done each of the following? Put together ideas or concepts from different courses when completing assignments or during class discussions.

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities? Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships.

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities? Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations.

Direct Summative Assessment – Program Level

Students receive an automatically generated email when they register for their final cluster course instructing them to log on to Moodle and find the space for their cluster, and then complete the final cluster short answer written response assignment in order to receive credit for completing their cluster; cluster coordinators devise a rotation system whereby biennially two cluster instructors in each cluster evaluate 20 student written responses (based upon a rubric used with regard to all responses related to all students in all clusters), in addition to verifying that all students in the final cluster course had completed the written assignment

Identify the theme of your cluster, and list three ideas you have about this theme that reflect the multiple disciplines you studied as you explored the theme in your cluster courses.

Direct Formative Assessment – Cluster Level

Individual cluster instructors write a question for inclusion on their final exam that is related to the course and cluster that gets students to speak to the interconnections they see among their cluster courses. Individual instructors evaluate student responses along with another cluster course instructor according to a uniform rubric. Results are used for discussion and planning purposes among cluster faculty in order that cluster course connections can be strengthened.

Cluster Faculty Development

Developed taking into consideration the data provided as a result of the ILS Faculty Perception Survey, with the purpose of helping cluster faculty strengthen the connections among their cluster courses and faculty members.

ILS Topical Cluster Workshop: Developing a More-Integrated ILS Cluster

This workshop is for faculty who teach in an existing ILS cluster or are interested in developing a new ILS cluster. The workshop goal is to aid cluster faculty in developing intentional ways to integrate their courses together to facilitate better student engagement in their cluster. Workshop leaders will discuss successes and failures with intentional integration of courses in the Food for Thought cluster and lead participants through guided teamwork to develop a cluster mission statement, cluster learning outcomes, and potential cross-course cluster projects, activities or events for the 2010-2011 academic year. Participants are encouraged to enroll in teams of two or more faculty from a given cluster or to-be-developed cluster; ideally, teams would include at least the cluster coordinator and faculty teaching ILSN and ILSS cluster courses.

Ø Workshop Leaders: TBD

Ø Stipends: $200 (limited to 12 faculty members),

$400 for each of 2 workshop leaders

Ø Dates and Times: Two 3.5 to 4 hour sessions (TBD)

ILS Cluster Shared Activity for Faculty Development

This opportunity is for faculty who teach in an existing cluster or who are currently engaged in developing a new interdisciplinary ILS cluster. To qualify for this opportunity three or more faculty from an existing cluster (or one in the planning stages) agree to participate in a shared activity or field trip designed to stimulate intellectual development and discussion regarding teaching in a cluster. Activities/trips can be anything appropriate to faculty development and stimulation of discussion around cluster themes. Faculty teams may apply for up to $800 in stipends to be used for travel, admission fees or honorarium support their shared activity. Participating faculty agree to participate in one seminar session in Fall 2010, during which they will report to colleagues on their activity/project. Groups should have a designated leader, who will also submit a report on the success of the team’s work in Fall 2010. Up to three teams will be granted this award.