Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Mass Communications (Online Journalism)

Assessment Report, 2014-2015

CLASS, Mass Communications (Online Journalism)

Assessment Identifiers

College / School
Savannah State University

Department
Department of Journalism and Mass Communications

Program / Major / Certificate
Degree: BA in Mass Communication

Concentration: Online Journalism

Assessment Coordinator(s)
Online Journalism: Jessica Sparks
Audio & Video: Kai Walker
Public Relations & Advertising: Juliana Maria Trammel
Program Outcomes: Reginald Franklin

Has there been a change to the Assessment Coordinator(s) since the last assessment plan? Yes

Person(s) responsible for writing and/or submitting this report:
Online Journalism: Jessica Sparks
Audio & Video: Kai Walker
Public Relations & Advertising: Juliana Maria Trammel
Program Outcomes: Reginald Franklin

Program Mission Statement

The department's mission is to develop productive students in a global society, prepared for careers in mass communications, and to increase cultural diversity in professional media. The department fosters engaged learning and professional growth through high-quality instruction, scholarship, research, service, and prepares students to perform at high levels of excellence in mass media professions and post-graduate studies in the 21st century.

Has this mission statement been revised since the last plan? No

PSLOs

ONLINE JOURNALISM

1. Students must understand and apply the freedoms outlined in the First Amendment, specifically those of the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech, to the generation, reporting and dissemination of news and information. Students should also demonstrate ability to differentiate the freedoms of the press in a global society.

2. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the history of journalism and its role of shaping society and its perception of the media.

3. Students must demonstrate an understanding of how the diversity in the community can affect the way news and information is reported and perceived in the communities of the country.

4. Students must demonstrate an understanding of how global diversity and society affects the way news and information is reported and disseminated in the United States and abroad.

5. Students must demonstrate an understanding of use and presentation of images and information for the purposes of disseminating accurate news and current information through print and online media.

6. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the ethical principles set by the industry and the current debates and discussion surrounding those principles.

7. Students must demonstrate ability to think critically in use of sources and information for the purposes of writing and reporting news for a mass audience. Students must demonstrate the ability to think creatively in the construction and generation of unique story ideas and other means of disseminating information to a mass audience. Students must demonstrate the ability to think and act in service to the public while reporting and writing media.

8. Students must demonstrate ability to discern credible sources for news stories and ability to use those sources appropriately for the purposes of reporting news and information to a mass audience. Students must demonstrate ability to conduct primary research through interviews and other appropriate methods for news reporting.

9. Students must demonstrate ability to write in a journalistic manner using Associated Press style, proper punctuation, spelling, syntax, and appropriate tone for the story, media and audience intended. Students must demonstrate an understanding of several forms of journalism including, but not limited to, breaking news, long-form, features, and profiles.

10. Students must demonstrate ability to evaluate the professional work of theirs own and others for accuracy, fairness and clarity in reporting and writing for media.

11. Students must demonstrate ability to analyze and use data as the basis of media reporting and writing.

12. Students must demonstrate ability to use tools and technology to present information in efficient ways for dissemination to a mass audience.

LINK TO: Assessment Report, 2014-2015 – Supporting Documents

Assessment Results (PSLOs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	PSLO	Semester	Professor	Courses	Assessment Artifacts and Instruments	Target Levels	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Engagement and Achievement	5. Presentation of Images: Students must demonstrate an understanding of use and presentation of images and information for the purposes of disseminating accurate news and current information through print and online media.	Spring 2015	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3110 Multimedia Publishing	Charts/Graphs - C5- SSU-JMC Rubric: Concepts & Theories- Fall 2016	40% of students will score at Level 2 40% of students will score at Level 3	TARGET MET 57% Level 2 (Milestone), 40% Level 3 (Milestone), 3% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014 – 2015 academic year: In 2013-2014, students were measured deficient in “Knowledge of theories,” so we added more opportunities to discuss and practice theories. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: A quiz and two more assignments were added to the curriculum to give students more exposure to the theories. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The results show improvement, so the program will continue use of more practical assignments and quiz over material to expose students to theories and principles.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	6. Ethics: Students must demonstrate an understanding of the ethical principles set by the industry and the current debates and discussion surrounding those principles.	Fall 2014	Jessica Sparks	COMM 2101 Writing for Digital Media	Codes of ethics assignment - AAC&U VALUE Rubric Ethical Reasoning 2012	30% of students will score at Level 2 40% of students will score at Level 3	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 29% Level 4 (Capstone), 21% Level 3 (Milestone), 36% Level 2 (Milestone), 14% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: Ethics review and paper was added in 2014-2015 school year. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue use of codes of ethics from SPJ and PRSA for discussion of ethics.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	7. Critical, creative and independent thinking: Students must demonstrate ability to think critically in use of sources and information for the purposes of writing and reporting news for a mass audience. Students must demonstrate ability to think creatively in the construction and generation of unique story ideas and other means of disseminating information to a mass audience. Students must demonstrate ability to think and act in service to the public while reporting and writing media.	Fall 2014	Jessica Sparks	COMM 2101 Writing for Digital Media	Codes of ethics assignment - C7- SSU-JMC Rubric: Critical, creative and independent thinking- Fall 2016	30% of students will score at Level 2 40% of students will score at Level 3	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 30% Level 3 (Milestone), 2% Level 4 (Capstone), 46% Level 2 (Milestone), 22% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: Ethics review and paper was added in COMM 2101 in 2014-2015 school year. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will add more classroom discussion and readings to enforce independent and innovative thinking.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	8. Research: Students must demonstrate ability to discern credible sources for news stories and ability to use those sources appropriately for the purposes of reporting news and information to a mass audience. Students must demonstrate ability to conduct primary research through interviews and other appropriate methods for news reporting.	Spring 2015	Sandra Earley	COMM 4170 Adv. Writing and Reporting	Final Project - AAC&U VALUE Rubric: Information Literacy 2012	15% of students will score at Level 4 35% of students will score at Level 3	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 27% Level 4 (Capstone), 33% Level 3 (Milestone), 38% Level 2 (Milestone), 2% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: The program added a textbook that explained writing and interviewing process more academically. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will add more readings and discussions on media literacy, identifying credible sources and proper use of sources in stories.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	9. Written Communication: Students must demonstrate ability to write in a journalistic manner using Associated Press style, proper punctuation, spelling, syntax, and appropriate tone for the story, media and audience intended. Students must demonstrate an understanding of several forms of journalism including, but not limited to, breaking news, long-form, features, and profiles.	Spring 2015	Sandra Earley	COMM 4170 Adv. Writing and Reporting	Final Project - Rubric for QEP Student Learning Outcome #2	15% of students will score at Excellent 50%of students will score at Satisfactory	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 36% Excellent, 49% Satisfactory, 15% Unsatisfactory.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: Changed textbook in copy editing course, which translated to other upper-level courses for online journalism majors. Started using Smarthinking and referring students to the Writing Center more. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: More courses in the department should incorporate proper use and style of Associated Press, giving students more knowledge and practice before they enter the capstone course. The program will continue use of Smarthinking and Writing Center on campus.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	11. Statistical Analysis: Students must demonstrate ability to analyze and use data as the basis of media reporting and writing.	Spring 2015	Sandra Earley	COMM 4170 Adv. Writing and Reporting	Final Project - Quantitative Literacy VALUE Rubric 2012	TARGET 1 - 25% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 40% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone	TARGET 1 PARTIALLY MET 35% Level 3 (Milestone), 35% Level 2 (Milestone), 4% Level 4 (Capstone), 26% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: The program started inviting a representative from Institutional Research and Planning to speak with the class and work with individual students to do primary research via survey and to analyze the data they get. Also added more class time devoted to statistical analysis and presentation. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue exposing students to quantitative research methods and analysis through professionals and will give students more time, including more time in the classroom, to work on assignments dealing with numbers and statistics.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2015	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3110 Multimedia Publishing	Charts/Graphs - Quantitative Literacy VALUE Rubric 2012	TARGET 2 - 50% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 40% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone	TARGET MET 58% Level 3 (Milestone), 40% Level 2 (Milestone), 2% Level 1 (Benchmark).
Academic Engagement and Achievement	12. Tools and Technology: Students must demonstrate ability to use tools and technology to present information in efficient ways for dissemination to a mass audience.	Spring 2015	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3110 Multimedia Publishing	Charts/Graphs - C10- SSU-JMC Rubric: Tools and Technology- Fall 2016	40% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone 40% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET MET 46% Level 2 (Milestone), 53% Level 3 (Milestone), 1% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014 – 2015 academic year: Students were to be given opportunities to use the technology and tools for their disciplines in more courses and for more projects. More projects were added to the curriculum to practice use of tools and technology. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: More practical assignments were added to the curriculum to give students more opportunities to interact with the technology and tools for their discipline. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue to use added assignments and incorporate several opportunities for use of technology and tools in the classroom.

Assessment Results (POs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	PO Goal	Enabling Strategies	Measures	Targets	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Achievement and Engagement	Increase the enrollment of JMC majors.	a. The program will have JMC faculty, staff and students who will attend the Open campus recruitment days scheduled by the University. b. The program has also expanded access to state of the art production facilities to be established in Whiting Hall.	Blackboard Analytic data	The department wants to increase enrollment of JMC majors by 10%	TARGET MET There was a 20% increase in JMC majors for the Fall of 2014 from the Fall of 2013. Target exceeded by 10%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: The department created the JMC Awards to reward students for academic and creative achievements. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The faculty, staff and administration of the department will continue to participate in various recruitment efforts including Open Campus day. The JMC staff will routinely conduct tours of the facilities for potential students and their parents. The awards will also continue.
Academic Achievement and Engagement	Increase participation in the annual Southern Regional Press Institute (SRPI)	a. The program will survey participation and workshop satisfaction among attendees. b. The program will make contact with Savannah area schools and talk to administrators.	The department will compile data from the responses from the SRPI surveys of the participants	The target is to maintain a total attendance for SRPI of at least 250	TARGET MET There were 300 total participants at the 64^th SRPI in February of 2015. Target exceeded by 20%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The SRPI will continue to survey the participants at each conference to aid in planning the conference for the next year and increases in attendance.
Academic Achievement and Engagement	Increase the number of graduates	Add instructors and additional course offering and more opportunity for faculty advising.	Blackboard Analytics data	Increase graduates by 5%	TARGET MET 57 graduates Target exceeded by 53%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2014-2015 academic year: The department instituted waving the minor requirement for majors to facilitate scheduling and produce a more progressive path to graduation. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue the strategy of adding extra faculty to teach additional sections of existing courses and introduce new course offerings.