• 140-01 - Portfolios as Profitable Student Experiences in Family Science
  Presented by: Yolanda T. Mitchell, Jaimee L. Hartenstein, Melinda Stafford Markham, Donte L. Bernard
• 140-02 - Students’ Reflections on Intergenerational Service-learning
  Presented by: Hilary Kalisch, DeAnna Coughlin, Sharon Ballard, Angela Lamson
• 140-03 - Family Science as a Pathway to Higher Education Access and Success for Rural, Latina/o Students
  Presented by: Angela Taylor, Aryca Marron, Pamela Payne
• 140-04 - Globalizing Family Life Education College Courses: A Systematic Approach
  Presented by: Maureen Blankemeyer, Ashley C. Williams, Kathleen Walker, Eron Memaj, Carrie Circosta
• 140-05 - Traditional and Digital Portfolios: Evaluating Program Objectives
  Presented by: Leslie Koepke

Abstracts

Portfolios as Profitable Student Experiences in Family Science

Presented by: Yolanda T. Mitchell, Jaimee L. Hartenstein, Melinda Stafford Markham, Donte L. Bernard

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of portfolios as a tool in assessing student achievement in the area of Family Studies and Human Services. Surveys were used to explore student and instructor perspectives related to hardcopy versus electronic portfolios, overall useability and effectiveness, and assessment capability.

Students’ Reflections on Intergenerational Service-learning

Presented by: Hilary Kalisch, DeAnna Coughlin, Sharon Ballard, Angela Lamson

There are many negative attitudes related to aging in our society, particularly among university students. Intergenerational service-learning has been shown to be effective in reducing these negative perceptions of the elderly. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of intergenerational service-learning in an introductory gerontology course through analysis of student reflection journals; specifically focusing on the effect it had on students' attitudes and perceptions of the elderly. Themes resulting from the qualitative analysis indicated that service-learning had a positive impact on attitudes about aging, understanding of course content, and on personal lives and career choices.

Family Science as a Pathway to Higher Education Access and Success for Rural, Latina/o Students

Presented by: Angela Taylor, Aryca Marron, Pamela Payne

This presentation addresses challenges faced by Latina/o students in rural communities in accessing higher education opportunities leading to successful completion of a 4-year college degree.  We describe a 2+2 distance B.S. degree program in family studies and human development based on a partnership between the school of family and consumer sciences at a large land-grant university in the southwest and a rural community college near the Mexico border. This presentation emphasizes the importance of programming that is both culturally responsive and well-integrated within the students’ community context.

Globalizing Family Life Education College Courses: A Systematic Approach

Presented by: Maureen Blankemeyer, Ashley C. Williams, Kathleen Walker, Eron Memaj, Carrie Circosta

With the rise in immigration, international deployments, and other global linkages, it is increasingly imperative that family life educators are culturally competent. A systematic approach was taken to integrate global learning into an undergraduate and a graduate family life education methodology course at a Midwestern university. The process entailed 1½ years of methodical preparation, primarily with the aid of resources available on campus. The assignments in the courses were largely centered on students establishing a mutual mentoring relationship with an international conversation partner. Challenges that arose and implications for faculty are discussed.  

Traditional and Digital Portfolios: Evaluating Program Objectives

Presented by: Leslie Koepke

The purpose of this proposal, based upon one university's experience with maintaining an online and an on-campus undergraduate Family Studies program, is to examine methods of evaluating completion and quality of program objectives through use of digital or traditional portfolios The roundtable will review the range of variables for consideration when developing and evaluating digital portfolios vs. traditional portfolios as a means of evaluating program objectives. Examples of traditional and digital portfolios, rubrics used to assess program objectives, and ways to evaluate program objectives through use of portfolios will be highlighted.