About TeamUSA

Key Points about TeamUSA

▼   1. What is a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)?
The Principles of Accreditation attests to the commitment of the Commission on Colleges to the enhancement of the quality of higher education and to the proposition that student learning is at the heart of the mission of all institutions of higher learning. The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a component of the accreditation process that reflects and affirms both of these commitments. Developing a QEP as part of the reaffirmation process is an opportunity and an impetus for an institution to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning.
▼   2. How is student learning defined?
Student learning is defined broadly in the context of the QEP and may address a wide range of topics or issues but, in all cases, the goals and evaluation strategies need to be clearly and directly linked to improving the quality of student learning and be consistent with the institution’s strategic plan.
▼   3. What is the pedagogical focus of the USA QEP?
The USA QEP utilizes a pedagogical strategy called Team-Based Learning.
▼   4. What is Team-Based Learning?
Team-Based Learning is a special form of collaborative learning using a specific sequence of individual work, group work and immediate feedback to create a motivational framework in which students increasingly hold each other accountable for coming to class prepared and contributing to discussion (Michael Sweet).
▼   5. How long will the USA QEP last?
The USA QEP will be conducted from 2013 – 2018. The 2012-2013 academic year will serve as a project pilot.
▼   6. What are the goals of TEAM USA?
The goal of TEAM USA is to improve student learning outcomes in STEM courses by increasing critical thinking and collaboration through the utilization of Team-Based Learning instructional strategies. TEAM USA is aligned with the mission of the university to “apply knowledge in service to the people of Alabama as citizens of a global community” and also with goal #1 of the University’s strategic plan, “To build upon the academic quality and learning environment of the University.”
▼   What is the name of the USA QEP?
The name of the USA QEP is TEAM USA.

 


Proposal

TEAM USA focuses on improving student learning outcomes in STEM courses by increasing critical thinking and collaboration using Team-Based Learning instructional strategies.  As such, the goal of the project is for students to achieve higher mastery levels of course content through the application of collaborative learning and critical thinking to real-life pedagogical scenarios.  TEAM USA is aligned with the University’s mission to “apply knowledge in service to the people of Alabama as citizens of a global community” and also with goal #1 of the University’s strategic plan, “To build upon the academic quality and learning environment of the University.”    

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Advisory Council  

During the summer of 2012, the QEP Implementation Committee was expanded and repurposed as an Advisory Council to oversee the pilot and implementation phases of the project. The purpose of the USA Quality Enhancement Plan Advisory Council is to support and guide the development, implementation and assessment of the Quality Enhancement Plan. Responsibilities of council membership are to serve as an advocate of the USA QEP, review and make recommendations for continuous improvement of all aspects of the QEP, including but not limited to, implementation of the plan, assessment, planning and budgeting.

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Reference Guide

Click here to access QEP quick reference guide PDF.


Project Overview

The process for the development of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at the University of South Alabama (USA) was aligned with planning principles as delineated by Litman (2012). The process included broad-based involvement of all potential stakeholders. These stakeholders included students, faculty, staff, and administrators. During the pilot and implementation phases of the project, the QEP Advisory Committee consisted of students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and administrators. 

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Vanguard Article

Click here to access QEP Quick reference guide.