Information Literacy: Because we CARE
Information Literacy means being able to access critical information using the tools of today, knowing the amount and quality of information that fits the task at hand, and being able to evaluate and analyze it appropriately to solve a problem.
These are the skills that are necessary for continued success in life, continued learning, career success and the ability to adapt in a changing world.
Forsyth Tech feels these skills are of vital importance for students in this Information Age. To emphasize this, the slogan Information Literacy: Because We CARE is being used for its campaign. The CARE acronym stands for essential skills (Communicate, Access, Research, and Evaluate) that are beneficial to students.
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a five-year plan aimed at enhancing student learning. The plan will be created by students, faculty and administration working together in concert with each other. It is required by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) during what the Association calls the reaffirmation process. Forsyth Tech must establish a plan that focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning. More information is available on the SACSCOC web site.
The plan will give Forsyth Tech a chance to improve overall education quality and effectiveness by focusing on a major topic that the college community considers central to the student learning experience. The topic chosen for the Forsyth Tech QEP is Information Literacy, the ability to find, evaluate and use information effectively in areas such as critical thinking, technology, career decision making, and lifelong learning.
The QEP will ultimately affect the quality of Forsyth Tech programs and the status of the college’s re-accreditation. Due to its importance to the entire Forsyth Tech community, the QEP process takes several years, and is broken down into these steps:
| Spring 2011: | Topic chosen - Information Literacy |
| Fall 2011 - Spring 2012: | Action Plan Proposal |
| Summer 2012: | QEP Proposal submitted to SACSCOC |
| Spring 2013 - 17: | Implementation and Results Cultivation |
It is important to remember that this is not a forum for discussing problems at Forsyth Tech; it’s a forum to discover ways to enhance learning and educational opportunities.
QEP FAQs
What is meant by "student learning" in the QEP?
"Student learning" is defined by SACSCOC as changes in students' knowledge, skills, behaviors, or values.
Why is the QEP so important?
The QEP is an opportunity for Forsyth Tech to enhance overall quality and effectiveness by focusing on a major issue important to the learning experience of our students. The goal is to develop a well-defined topic that is supported by the entire Forsyth Tech community (Faculty, staff, students, and administration).
It is a requirement of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) for institutions to develop a QEP during the reaffirmation process (Core Requirement 2.12).
What is the individual student or faculty member’s role in all of this?
The QEP needs to be comprehensive and impact a significant portion of our students. The goal is to agree on a plan that will positively impact most if not all members of the Forsyth Tech community so that all programs will be involved.
We encourage everyone to be an active participant in the process. Think about ideas you may have to enhance student learning through Information Literacy. Talk with other people who might also be interested. When the request is made for proposals, consider writing one or working with a group of people who might be interesting in writing one. Everyone in the Forsyth Tech community will ultimately be responsible for implementing the QEP. The greater the level of community input, the more representative it will be in meeting community goals.
How was the QEP topic chosen?
The QEP Topic Selection Committee asked for ideas. Committee members heard from the whole Forsyth Tech community including students, faculty, staff, our college neighborhood, the Board of Trustees, and alumni on how Forsyth Tech could enhance student learning. Topic ideas, suggestions, and recommendations were considered carefully and Information Literacy was the topic chosen.
QEP Links
