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

Assessment Report, 2015-2016

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, 2015-2016 – 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	1. First Amendment: 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.	Fall 2015	Angela Wilson	COMM 4705 Media Ethics & the Law	Case-Study Paper - C1- SSU-JMC Rubric: First Amendment- Fall 2016	70% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 10% of students will score at Level 4 Capstone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 28% Level 3 (Milestone), 57% Level 4 (Capstone). Overall, 85% of the students attained the minimum desired threshold, with 58% at the Capstone level.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: The program added more group work and discussions to enforce healthy debate and consideration of laws. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: The program changed textbook to provide a better balance and more current information about laws and ethics. It also added more group discussion in class and more group-based case studies. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will have a continuation of textbook use and use group discussions.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	2. History: Students must demonstrate an understanding of the history of journalism and its role of shaping society and its perception of the media.	Fall 2015	Phelps Hawkins	COMM 2105 Mass Media and Society	Race Beat Paper - C2- SSU-JMC Rubric: History and Role of the Media- Fall 2016	70% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone 10% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 55% Level 3 (Milestone), 30% Level 2 (Milestone), 11% Level 4 (Capstone), 4% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: The program added more emphasis on timely events and topics and incorporated their place in history. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue to incorporate history as part of the current events discussion and quizzes in course.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. Domestic Diversity: 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.	Fall 2015	Phelps Hawkins	COMM 2105 Mass Media and Society	Race Beat Paper - C3- SSU-JMC Rubric: Domestic Diversity- Fall 2016	80% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone 10% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 53% Level 2 (Milestone), 23% Level 3 (Milestone), 6% Level 4 (Capstone) Overall, only 82% achieved the desired threshold. While 30% were measured at Level 3 Milestone and 6% at Level 4 Capstone, only 53% were measured at Level 2 Milestone. Areas to Improve: Knowledge of cultural worldview frameworks: Only 78% attained at level 2, at least; Desired is 80%. Skills-Empathy: Only 66% attainted at level 2. Desired is 80%.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: The program added more timely news and topics to classroom discussion and news quizzes. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue adding more classroom discussion about diversity and cultural sensitivity.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	4. Global Diversity: 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.	Fall 2015	Phelps Hawkins	COMM 2105 Mass Media and Society	Race Beat Paper - C4- SSU-JMC Rubric: Global Diversity- Fall 2016	40% of students will score at Level 1 Benchmark 40% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone	TARGET MET 41% Level 2 Milestone, 16% Level 3 Milestone, 42% Level 1 Benchmark, 3% Level 4 Capstone Overall, only 60% of students demonstrated attainment at the minimum threshold set. While 19% exceeded Level 3 milestone, only 41% were measured at Level 2. 42% of students demonstrated attainment at Level 1 benchmark. Areas to Improve: Perspective Taking: 54% attained at Level 2 Milestone, at least. Desired was 80%; Cultural Diversity: 54% attained at Level 2 Milestone, at least. Desired was 80%; Personal and Social Responsibility: 57% attained at Level 2 Milestone, at least. Desired was 80%; Understanding Global Systems: 48% attained at Level 2 Milestone, at least. Desired was 80%; Applying Knowledge to Contemporary Global Contexts: 65% attained at Level 2 Milestone, at least. Desired was 80%.	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue use of global diversity in discussion of current topics and events and use of news quizzes.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Fall 2015	Phelps Hawkins	COMM 2105 Mass Media and Society
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 2016	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3110 Multimedia Publishing	Charts and Layout - C5- SSU-JMC Rubric: Concepts & Theories- Fall 2016	40% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone 40% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 27% Level 3 (Milestone), 56% Level 2 (Milestone), 4% Level 4 (Capstone), 13% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: A quiz and two assignments were left in the curriculum, after being added for the 2014-2015 academic year, to give students more exposure to the theories. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The curriculum changes, though they helped the first year, did not seem to improve the deficiencies in 2015-2016. We will re-test next academic year.
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 2015	Angela Wilson	COMM 4705 Media Ethics & the Law	Case-Study Paper - AAC&U VALUE Rubric: Ethical Reasoning 2012	70% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 10% of students will score at Level 4 Capstone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 57% Level 4 (Capstone), 28% Level 3 (Milestone), 4% Level 2 (Milestone), 9% Level 1 (Benchmark).	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: The program added more group work and discussions to enforce healthy debate and consideration of ethics. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: The program changed textbook to provide a better balance and more current information about laws and ethics. It also added more group discussion in class and more group-based case studies. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue to use new textbook and group discussions.
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.	Spring 2016	Sandra Earley	COMM 2107 Women in the Media	Final Research Paper - C7- SSU-JMC Rubric: Critical, creative and independent thinking- Fall 2016	30% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 40% of students will score at Level 4 Capstone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 45% Level 3 (Milestone), 36% Level 4 (Capstone), 8% Level 2 (Milestone), 10% Level 1 (Benchmark). For criteria, “Innovative Thinking,” 10% of students attained Level 4 Capstone, 65% attained Level 3 Milestone, 15% attained Level 2 Milestone and 10% attained Level 1 Benchmark.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: The program added more group discussions and group-based case studies. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: The program created more detailed instructions and rubric for doing research project. It also added a reading specifically focused on independent research methods and identifying research topics. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue using more detailed instructions and add more guided discussion for identifying unique and innovative topics for exploration.
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.	Fall 2015	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3105 News Writing & Reporting	Final Project - AAC&U VALUE Rubric: Information Literacy 2012	70% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 10% of students will score at Level 4 Capstone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 63% Level 3 (Milestone), 14% Level 4 (Capstone), 15% Level 2 (Milestone), 8% Level 1 (Benchmark). For criterion “Evaluate Information and its Sources Critically,” 9% attained Level 4 Capstone, 54% attained Level 3 Milestone, 27% attained Level 2 Milestone, and 9% attained Level 1 Benchmark. For criteria, “Use Information Effectively…” and “Access and Use Information Ethically and Legally,” 9% attained Level 4 Capstone, 63% attained Level 3 Milestone, 18% attained Level 2 Milestone, and 9% attained Level 1 Benchmark.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: Students needed more exposure to identifiable markers of credible sources. In addition, they showed a need for more focus on using the sources effectively in their work. This was incorporated. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: More class time and discussion were devoted to identifying credible and authoritative sources of secondary and primary information in this course, as an addition to the upper level courses that evaluated this criteria in 2014-2015. The curriculum changes did not to improve the deficiencies in 2015-2016. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will find new resources and possibly a textbook to emphasize credibility and authority in sourcing, as well as effective use of information in media work.
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.	Fall 2015	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3105 News Writing & Reporting	Final Project - Rubric for QEP Student Learning Outcome #2	TARGET 1 - 70% of students will score at Satisfactory 10% of students will score at Excellent	TARGET 1 PARTIALLY MET 48% Excellent, 44% Satisfactory, 8% Unsatisfactory.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: More courses were to add work and class time devoted to Associated Press style. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: AP style quizzes were added to course and we added use of Writing Center and Smarthinking. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue AP style quizzes as part of curriculum to encourage use and knowledge of the standard style for the industry. Continue to use Smarthinking and Writing Center as part of the curriculum. Evaluate written communication in more courses to discover where students might be dropping skills or might be improving.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2016	Sandra Earley	COMM 2107 Women in the Media	Final Research Paper - Rubric for QEP Student Learning Outcome #2	TARGET 2 - 50% of students will score at Excellent 30% of students will score at Satisfactory	TARGET 2 MET 52% Excellent, 35% Satisfactory, 13% Unsatisfactory.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	10. Critical Evaluation: 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.	Spring 2016	Sandra Earley	COMM 2107 Women in the Media	Final Research Paper - C10- SSU-JMC Rubric: Critical Evaluation- Fall 2016	TARGET 1 - 20% of students will score at Level 4 Capstone 50% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET 1 PARTIALLY MET 38% Level 4 Capstone, 41% Level 3 Milestone, 11% Level 2 Milestone, 10% Level 1 Benchmark.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: The program added more group discussions and group-based case studies. Past findings showed that ONJ students continued to struggle to understand the use of other forms of primary research to make informed decisions, such as proposing a new idea. While we recognize that our ONJ students fully grasp the role of primary research (in-depth interviews/reporting) to the investigative process, they struggle with other primary research methods. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: The program created more detailed instructions and rubric for doing research project; added a reading specifically focused on independent research methods and identifying research topics; and added more description to the senior project proposal manual. In the handout, we completely separated the instructions from PR and ADV. We also extended the time to complete the senior project proposal. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will evaluate critical evaluation in more courses to discover where students might be dropping skills or might be improving. We will continue the discussion the value of adding COMM 4810 (COMM Research) to the degree grid.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Fall 2015	Juliana Trammel	COMM 4106 Communications Practicum	Senior Project Proposal - C10- SSU-JMC Rubric: Critical Evaluation- Fall 2016	TARGET 2 - 70% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone 10% of students will score at Level 4 Capstone	TARGET 2 NOT MET 13% Level 3 (Milestone), 25% Level 4 (Capstone), 50% Level 1 (Benchmark), 12% Level 2 (Milestone).
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 2016	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3110 Multimedia Publishing	Charts and Layout - Quantitative Literacy VALUE Rubric 2012	40% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone 50% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 43% Level 2 (Milestone), 49% Level 3 (Milestone), 21% level 4 (Capstone) Overall, the results exceeded Level 3 Benchmark. 57% of students measured at either levels 3 or 4.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: Results from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015 showed improvement in deficient area of theory knowledge based on more class time and readings devoted to statistical analysis. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: The extra class time and readings were added to the curriculum and left there after improvement from 2013-2014 to 2014-2015. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The curriculum changes, though they helped the first year, did not seem to improve the deficiencies in 2015-2016. We will re-test next year.
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 2016	Jessica Sparks	COMM 3110 Multimedia Publishing	Charts and Layout - C12- SSU-JMC Rubric: Tools & Technology- Fall 2016	30% of students will score at Level 2 Milestone 50% of students will score at Level 3 Milestone	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 42% Level 2 (Milestone), 37% Level 3 (Milestone), 17% Level 4 (Capstone), 4% Level 1 (Benchmark). Overall, 54% of students achieved at least level 3 milestones. Level 2 was also achieved at 42%.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015 – 2016 academic year: Students were to be given opportunities to use the technology and tools for their disciplines in more courses and for more projects. In this course, projects that were added to the curriculum in 2014-2015 were left in the curriculum to practice use of tools and technology. Description of any changes for improvements which were made during the course of the 2015-2016 academic year: The program combined layout and charts assignments to better show practical use of the tools and technology used. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue to use added assignments and incorporate several opportunities for use of technology and tools in the classroom and devote more class time to using tools and technology.

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 NOT MET There was a 14% decrease in JMC majors for the Fall of 2015 from the Fall of 2014. The cause for the drop in majors can be attributed, in part, to a fire that caused the displacement of the program offices and some facilities.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 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 and achievement spotlights 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 275 total participants at the 65th SRPI in February of 2016. Target exceeded by 10%	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 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 60 graduates (up 5% from the previous academic year)	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue the policy of waving the minor requirement for majors to facilitate scheduling and produce a more progressive path to graduation.