OLS 252 Adjunct Advocate

Volume 1, Issue 1 April 1999

It’s Almost Over! We couldn’t have done it without you. Another semester is coming to a close, and the OLS Division is busy with celebrations and graduation certifications (not to mention grading!) We were happy to see some of you at the OLS recognition program at the Lincoln Museum last week. It was a wonderful event! Many of us took advantage of the "sneak peak" of the new exhibit "Lincoln From Life"—if you didn’t get a chance to view it, you may want to put it on your list of fun Fort Wayne things to do soon. Teaching 252 we don’t always think about graduation, since so few of our students are ready ! But don’t assume you don’t have ANY graduating seniors! There may be students from programs outside OLS who are taking the course for Gen Ed credit. You may want to pass along good wishes! I know there isn’t much time to talk during the semester. When we do, it’s often about a problem one of us is encountering, or some other request for assistance. I know that I get so caught up in the semester deadlines that I do not seem to say THANK YOU nearly often enough. We are doing a good job in OLS 252 – and that fact is so important to the OLS Division. It’s not easy to teach a survey course where so many theories need to be introduced. It’s not easy to get students used to working in teams, understand what social science research is all about, AND help them develop an excitement for applying this theory to their world. The rigor of this course has increased, and our students still enjoy the delivery you provide. That deserves a great deal of thanks. (continued on next page)

OLS 252 Green Sheets Provide Assessment Assistance Many OLS goals and objectives are tied to what we do! Attached to this note are bright green sheets that ask students to write about their experience with teams in the 252 courses. We need to stress to them that THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT! You will need to collect them and eventually return them to me after the semester is over! There are many reasons to do this assessment: Since some work in teams is required in 252, students must have a way to process this experience. This is an opportunity for them to vent – and to showcase the terms and concepts they learned in class. These three questions are the type of questions they need to ask when assessing the effectiveness of ANY work team. It provides a writing assignment for our students (and they can never have enough opportunities to write!) The OLS assessment committee uses these responses as an interim measure of learning for all degree programs.

OLS mission The mission of OLS is to integrate theory and practical application in developing leaders for roles in the dynamic organizational environment of the 21^st century. OLS vision This goal is accomplished through an interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes an understanding of people, groups, and the global community within an organizational framework. The OLS faculty will enhance the development of students’ creativity and competence in the administration of human resource systems, team design and facilitation, and the influencing processes that define leadership. The OLS faculty will contribute knowledge to the field by engaging in scholarly activity. The OLS faculty will provide programs, resources, and expertise on leadership and human resource issues to organizations in northeast Indiana.

How can you get students to complete the assignment? You can tie it to participation – if they don’t turn it in, they have no participation points for the semester. You can make it a "take home" exam question and grade it – or just have it count for extra points on the exam. If you have time, you can have them complete it in class (although if you choose this option, let me know when you send them in so we do not compare in class writing with out of class writing styles.) And next semester…. You can put it in the syllabus as a requirement – I know I will! Thanks!Continued from page1 As you are putting materials away for the semester, I hope you’ll think about calling, emailing, or jotting down some notes about what went well this semester and what didn’t seem to work. While we can share stories with each other at our annual fall meeting, it may be more helpful to talk now, before we get caught up in the semester rush. I will disseminate any tips (positive or negative!) or questions to the rest of the group so that we can all respond and learn.

Textbook Alert! The Greenberg & Baron text is ready for revision. This edition will not be available beyond Fall semester (and we may have some trouble getting it in the fall). I have been reviewing other texts as well as the Greenberg 7^th edition. Let me know if you feel the need to change… or really don’t want to! I can let you see copies of good alternative texts under consideration.

Of course, if you have questions before the semester is over- please give me a call! And thank you again for your good work this year! Have a wonderful summer. Dina Mansour-Cole, OLS Or 481-6420 this summer or… e mail me at mansour@ipfw.edu

Textbook Alert!

The Greenberg & Baron text is ready for revision.

This edition will not be available beyond Fall semester

(and we may have some trouble getting it in the fall).

I have been reviewing other texts as well as the Greenberg

7^th edition. Let me know if you feel the need to change…

or really don’t want to! I can let you see copies of good

alternative texts under consideration.