4. HEAVIER
WORK LOAD...
new
responsibilities... and
new people
5. LUCKILY...
IMPLEMENTED THE FOCUS PROGRAM
IN THE FALL OF 2005
IN HOPES TO
EXCEED “NATIONAL STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
WHILE STILL FITTING THE UNIQUE SAMFORD
COMMUNITY” -DANA BASINGER
6. focus (noun): A community of
about twenty students who take
three courses in common: UCCA
101, UCCP 101, and Foundations
during the first semester of their
freshman year and participate in an
engaged service-learning project.
(Similar to “learning communities
found at other universities)
http://www4.samford.edu/groups/focus/what.html
7. “This semester, people in my CA and CP classes
are two separate groups and
it is harder to get to know people .
(Last semester) our teachers
and student mentor helped
us get adjusted to life as
a college student... our classes
seemed more close-knit.
If we talked about a
philosophy or idea in CP
it might tie into a topic
we could use in a CA
paper.”
-Chase Trautwein
8. “The FOCUS group creates a
daily community of trust
and friendship. It’ is a safe
environment where you
can be yourself. The professors
that teach in the FOCUS
setting love to see you grow.”
-JD Hall
9. Samford University must expand
the FOCUS program in order to
experience better socialization of
students, improve academic
excellence and improve academic
quality.
10. SOCIALIZATION
provides supportive peer groups and social
support networks that extend beyond the
classroom
campus environment is more inclusive
continued friendships shape educational
careers and create a sense of belonging
develop confidence
service learning
develop respect for differences
among students and faculty and
appreciation for diversity in the
general community
11. IMPROVED ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
higher gpa by average of .27 points
class attendance generally higher
more time actively learning and
interacting with students and staff
increased concern for academic support network
educational
needs of others
12. Improved Academic Quality
shared knowledge, shared
knowing, and shared
resonsibility
dialogic model replaces banking
model
integrative assignments allow for
holistic learning
reenergized and more creative
instructors due to
feeling of valued opinions
how to think, not
what to think
