FALL 2010

Dr. Russell G. Carpenter, Director

Eastern Kentucky University

Noel Studio for Academic Creativity Activity Report

CONTENTS

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Noel Studio Staff Demographics ........................................................................................................................................ 5

Administrators ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Communication ............................................................................................................................................................... 5

Research ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Writing ............................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Consultants ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Outreach ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

In-Class Presentations ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

In-Noel Studio Orientations ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Programming and Partnerships ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Fall 2010 Ongoing Partnerships ................................................................................................................................... 7

Graduate (Thesis and Dissertation) Writing Support Group ............................................................. 7

Conversation Hour ............................................................................................................................................... 8

Collaboration ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Honors ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

McNair ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

History ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Carnival of Creativity .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Connecting the Dots ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Ongoing Meetings ............................................................................................................................................................... 9

Program .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Noel Studio Events ............................................................................................................................................................. 9

Key ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Consultations - Usage ........................................................................................................................................................... 13

Post-Consultation Survey Results ................................................................................................................................... 13

Space Usage – Visits Per Space ......................................................................................................................................... 14

Service-Learning Partnerships ........................................................................................................................................ 15

Social Media Course .................................................................................................................................................... 15

PR Planning .................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Scholarship ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Presentations ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Invited ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Peer-Reviewed .............................................................................................................................................................. 15

Award(s) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Conferences ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16

OVERVIEW

The Noel Studio opened on September 20, 2010 after beginning the semester in library 208. One of the primary goals during the first semester was to develop meaningful collaborations between the Noel Studio and campus organizations. In addition to the Noel Studio’s core partners, including the Library, Department of English, Department of Communication, Office of Quality Enhancement Programs (QEP), Information Technology (IT), and Student Government Association (SGA), the Noel Studio also initiated academic partnerships with Honors, McNair, Eastern English Language Institute (EELI), Instructional Development Center (IDC), and the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This report overviews outreach, usage, and survey responses for the Noel Studio’s first semester in operation: fall 2010.

NOEL STUDIO STAFF DEMOGRAPHICS

ADMINISTRATORS

The Noel Studio is administered by a director and three coordinators. The director is a tenure-track faculty member in the Department of English and Theatre, and the three coordinators teach in their respective disciplinary areas. Along with the director, the coordinators ensure the integrated design of the Noel Studio.

COMMUNICATION Shawn Apostel coordinates communication in the Noel Studio and teaches

speech communication courses.

RESEARCH Trenia Napier coordinates research in the Noel Studio and teaches in the library’s

instruction program.

WRITING Leslie Valley coordinates writing in the Noel Studio and teaches composition courses.

CONSULTANTS

During the fall 2010 semester, the Noel Studio employed 29 consultants representing 12 departments at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). Consultants were selected on the basis of EKU faculty recommendations, communication samples, an interview, and evidence of success in the classroom.

English Major 17; Minor 1

Communication 3

MLS (UK) 2

Biology Minor 1

Premed 1

Spanish 1

Occupational Science 1

Child and Family Studies Minor 1

Political Science 1

Psychology 1

English/Spanish 1

Paralegal Studies 1

Out of the undergraduate consultants, five are enrolled in the Honors Program and two consultants from the Department of Communication were enrolled in co-op as part of their Noel Studio experience for which they received course credit. The number of co-op students receiving course credit for their work in the Noel Studio will increase to three in the spring.

OUTREACH

During the fall 2010 semester, the Noel Studio offered in-class presentations and in-Noel Studio orientations, reaching a total of 1,846 students and faculty through these outreach efforts.

Members of the EKU community can schedule these session in advance through the Noel Studio’s website, identifying three possible dates for the session to occur. Each request is fielded individually by a Noel Studio staff member. Consultants, coordinators, and the director share outreach responsibilities as necessary. As part of these sessions, each student receives a Noel Studio promotional item; this semester, a bookmark.

This fall, the Noel Studio conducted 48 in-class presentations and 31 orientations for students and faculty members from across the disciplines at EKU. Note that the staff moved into the new space in September; therefore, orientations were not available until then. In the future, we expect the number of orientations to increase. Please see the specific breakdown below.

IN-CLASS PRESENTATIONS

# of Presentations

Course/Program

Total # of Students

2 ASO 100 36

1 BIO 382 18

4 CMS 100 76

2 CMS 200 44

5 CMS 210 125

1 CRJ 101 40

2 ENG 095 40

8 ENG 101 184

4 ENG 102 46

3 ENG 301 45

2 GSD 100 45

2 GSD 101 38

2 HON 102 40

1 HSO 100 30

4 HON 420 83

1 PSY 200 30

3 PSY 312 102

1 GA 20

48 18 1,042

IN-NOEL STUDIO ORIENTATIONS

# of Orientations Course

Total # of Students/Faculty

6 CMS 100 151

2 CMS 200 44

3 CMS 210 75

1 COM 400 20

3 EPC 135

1 ENG 101 23

1 ENR 112 24

5 GSD 101 104

3 GSO 100 80

2 GSO 102 48

1 PUB 320 20

1 PUB 380 20

1 SGA 45

1 PSY FAC 15

31 14 804

PROGRAMMING AND PARTNERSHIPS

FALL 2010 ONGOING PARTNERSHIPS

GRADUATE (THESIS AND DISSERTATION) WRITING SUPPORT GROUP Met twice per

week throughout the semester. Intended to develop a supportive, scholarly writing community.

CONVERSATION HOUR Met four times per week throughout the semester. Intended to

encourage productive, interesting, and ongoing dialogue between native and non-native English speakers, especially to engage Eastern English Language Institute students (EELI). Native English-speaking students from the department also participated in conversation hour sessions throughout the semester.

COLLABORATION

HONORS The Noel Studio director and research coordinator initiated a collaborative partnership with the Honors Program to create a series of programming for the Honors Thesis course (HON 420) that reinforced the integration of research, writing, and oral communication in the thesis project--a project that requires an in-depth understanding of research as a process, creation of a substantial (typically written) thesis or creative work, and culminates in a presentation of the thesis to the campus community. More specifically, the Noel Studio’s research and communication coordinators presented to HON 420 a total of four orientations, four annotated bibliography workshops, and four research presentation sessions. These occurred in conjunction with and complemented existing library research instruction. A total of 83 students enrolled in HON 420. As part of the collaboration, all HON 420 students were required to have one consultation in the Noel Studio on any aspect of the thesis (research, brainstorming, organization, writing, presenting, or an area of concern articulated by the student). Students visited the Noel Studio on their own in addition to the required visits (please see usage). HON 420 students were encouraged to work with graduate consultants during their sessions.

MCNAIR The Noel Studio held a Saturday orientation specifically for students in the McNair Scholars program. The session focused on Noel Studio resources that would promote the development of doctoral-program-bound students at EKU. McNair students are encouraged to meet with graduate consultants in the Noel Studio. Use of the Noel Studio would complement support that takes place within the McNair program, including academic advising, coaching, and consultation focused on academic achievement, developing research skills, and applying to graduate school.

HISTORY The Noel Studio director and writing coordinator initiated a collaborative writing studio session for students in Carolyn DuPont’s History course, which included conducting five simultaneous small-group sessions focusing on global issues such as thesis development, research, cohesion, and persuasiveness. Each small group session was facilitated by a leader from the Noel Studio (director, writing coordinator, and several consultants) and provided space and time for students to discuss their work with their peers and a trained facilitator.

CARNIVAL OF CREATIVITY In addition to solidifying an academic partnership, the Noel Studio also partnered with the QEP to host a promotional event for all students and faculty, the Carnival of Creativity, which incorporated themes (expand, express, evaluate, explore) and creativity in engaging, interactive, and fun ways. The QEP supported prizes and giveaways for attendees in addition to assisting with event promotions. Students from the Department of Communication’s PR and social media classes helped to plan, publicize, and work the event along with Noel Studio staff.

CONNECTING THE DOTS The Noel Studio and EKU Alumni Association also initiated a

partnership to be solidified in the spring to support a university mentor program between first-time in college (FTIC) students and successful alumni leaders from the surrounding communities. This partnership stands to aid retention and recruitment among students and active alumni association members and is engrained in developing leaderships through effective communication at the university and beyond.

ONGOING MEETINGS

Noel Studio Advisory Committee

Noel Studio Seminar

PROGRAM

Encouraging Creativity: A Discussion on Defining, Assessing, and Teaching Creativity Across Campus

Writing Effective Introductions and Conclusions

Confronting Speech Anxiety

Conducting Academic Research

Timed Writing: How to Do it Well

Play and Creativity

Visual Rhetoric for Academics

How to Prepare for and Deliver an Academic Conference Presentation

Creative Thinking Presentation (with TLC, IDC, and QEP)

Teaching Creativity

Turning a Paper into a Presentation

Exploring Second Life

Technology and Creativity

Writing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters (with Career Services)

NOEL STUDIO EVENTS

KEY

C = Campus

CR = Conference Room

DC = Discovery Classroom

G = Greenhouse

Number of Sessions Event Title Location

1 City Fest C

1 Honors Orientation DC

1 Honors IRB/IACUC DC

1 McNair Scholars Fall Colloquium

DC

4 Faculty Advising for Secular Coalition

DC

1 Alumni Board Meeting DC

4 Student Spotlight Days C

1 Sigma Nu/Noel Studio/Library Research Session

DC

1 Developing Leadership Skills Through Effective Communication – EKU Corbin Leadership Summit

ITV CR/EKU Corbin

1 Jelly Bucket Editorial Meeting CR

1 High School Tour DC

1 Honors Annotated Bibliography DC

1 TCAC Meeting DC

4 Honors Annotated Bibliography DC

3 Mock Trial CR

2 Mock Trial DC

2 QEP Focus Group DC

2 QE Coaches Webinar CR

4 Honors Presenting Your Work DC

1 CMS 400 Skype Conference with Textbook Author

CR

4 ENG 095 Writing Workshop DC

1 Residence Life Council DC

1 Noel Studio Dedication G

1 QE Coaches Session DC

1 CMS 375 Presentations DC

1 Academic Integrity Class Presentation

DC

2 CPE Meeting DC

2 CPE Meeting CR

1 EKU Swim Team Collaborative Session

DC

9 Honors Interim Reports DC

1 POL 875 Government Presentations

ITV/Recorded/CR

4 EKU PRS DC

2 How to Give an Effective CMS 200 Presentation

DC

1 CCLC Meeting DC

1 AAI Search Meeting CR

1 ASLIE (Interpreter) Accreditation Meeting

DC

1 UP Strategic Planning Meeting CR

1 Budgeting/Financial Planning Focus Group

DC

1 Workshop on Business and Professional Speaking

CR

2 How to Give a PowerPoint Presentation

CR

1 Aurora Online Reception DC

1 History Writing Collaborative Workshop

DC

1 Noel Studio Planning Meeting CR

1 CMS Presentations to Richmond Teen Center

CR

1 CMS Presentations to Zaxby’s CR

1 QEP Brown Bag on Critical Thinking in Online Learning

CR

1 Curriculum & Instruction ePortfolio Presentations and Reviews

CR

1 AAI Noel Studio Interviews DC

1 A&S Chairs Council DC

1 Communication Studies Student Association Session

DC

1 Echo 360 Demonstration DC

1 Communication Department Luncheon

DC

1 Communication Class Presentations

DC

1 Curriculum & Instruction Student/Teacher Consultations

CR

1 Technology Training – Reference Team

DC

2 Communication Training DC

1 COM 400 Presentations to Rose Barn Theatre Board

CR

1 QE Coaches Retreat DC

1 Come Alive on Dead Week Table

C

CONSULTATIONS - USAGE

During the fall 2010 semester, the Noel Studio conducted 2,670 consultations with 1,700 students in 503 classes from every college at EKU including the graduate school and honors. Note that at the time of this writing, many records are still being entered into the Noel Studio’s electronic database. Thus, the STU 1111 designation was used to account for those classes and records. Furthermore, the TutorTrac system currently in use has not, historically, been used to collect data from graduate students, which would account for the low number. For this report, graduate consultations were factored into college use unless the student indicated graduate with no course designation. The Noel Studio is working with IT to import graduate student data.

College Consultations Students

Arts & Sciences 1304 772

Business & Technology 217 134

Education 12 9

Health Sciences 153 95

Justice and Safety 21 13

University Programs 7 6

Honors 112 83

Graduate 13 2

Personal/STU 1111 807 566

QEP 24 20

Total 2,670 1,700

During the spring 2011 semester, the Noel Studio is partnering with faculty members in the College of Education to introduce students to the services and study consulting practices for ePortfolios. Approximately 145 students in the EDF 203 course will visit during the spring semester to discuss their ePortfolios.

POST-CONSULTATION SURVEY RESULTS

All students who have a consultation in the Noel Studio are asked to complete a post-consultation survey. Currently, the survey is intended to shed light on students’ perceived effectiveness of the consultation. Moreover, each question relates to areas of idea development, the evaluation of information, and creative thinking as a result of the consultation.

1. I feel more comfortable identifying the thesis/purpose of my assignment.

94% strongly agree or agree

2. I feel more confident identifying the audience for my assignment.

89% strongly agree or agree

3. I am able to consider my topic from multiple viewpoints.

92% strongly agree or agree

4. I feel confident using information from the session to plan my next steps for the assignment.

97% strongly agree or agree

5. I feel more confident incorporating a variety of appropriate sources (print journal, website, book, etc.) into my work as needed.

87% strongly agree or agree

6. I feel confident applying the information discussed today to future assignments.

96% strongly agree or agree

7. I feel more creative in designing my communication as a result of the consultation.

92% strongly agree or agree

SPACE USAGE – VISITS PER SPACE

The Noel Studio also piloted a process for reserving spaces by using the TutorTrac system. Students can reserve and use spaces with or without consultants individually or in small groups. The data below represents usage by space this semester.

Space Student Visits Students

Greenhouse 3,772 1,604

B1 58 50

B2 51 47

B3 60 55

P1 30 30

P2 15 15

P3 4 4

Total 3,990 1,805

SERVICE-LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS

SOCIAL MEDIA COURSE The Noel Studio served as client for Dr. Kathy Keltner’s social media class. The communication coordinator met regularly with a small group of students, mentoring their development of short, trendy videos that could be used to promote the Noel Studio through social media. Students worked on their videos in the Noel Studio’s invention space, breakout rooms, and greenhouse throughout the semester and then presented them to their professor in the discovery classroom.

PR PLANNING The Noel Studio partnered with Dr. Jim Gleason’s Public Relations campaigns class.

Each student group planned PR research and a set of suggestions for informing students about Noel Studio services. Drs. Gleason and Carpenter served as audience members at the end of the semester when students presented their plans in the large breakout space. Each student group presented the Noel Studio with a PR portfolio.

SCHOLARSHIP

In addition to the scholarship outlined below, members of the Noel Studio staff have a number of publication projects in progress, including three major book projects, two chapters, two articles, and five conference panels.

PRESENTATIONS

INVITED

Carpenter, Russell. “Teaching Creative Thinking.” Presentation for the Office of Quality

Enhancement Programs and College of Justice and Safety. 27 October 2010.

Carpenter, Russell, and Shawn Apostel. “Developing Leadership Skills through Effective

Communication.” Presentation for the EKU Corbin Leadership Summit. 30 September 2010.

PEER-REVIEWED

Carpenter, Russell. “Engaging Students, Engaging Literacies: Designing an Integrated Learning

Space.” National Council of Teachers of English Conference. Orlando, FL, 19 November 2010.

Carpenter, Russell, Kyle Love, Mary Von Till, and Eunkyong Yook. “Communication

Centers Spanning the Continent: Visual Ideations and Models.” National Communication

Association Annual Convention. San Francisco, CA, 16 November 2010.

Carpenter, Russell. “Using Outcomes to Develop a Culture of Support: Practices for Space and

Curriculum Design.” International Writing Center Association Conference. Baltimore, MD, 5

November 2010. Carpenter, Russell. “Reading Contexts, Commitments, and Consequences through the Rhetoric of

Cognitive Maps.” Thomas R. Watson Conference. Louisville, KY. 15 October 2010.

AWARD(S)

Carpenter, Russell. Von Till Outstanding Newcomer Award. Communication Centers Section of the

National Communication Association. 2010.

CONFERENCES

The Noel Studio submitted host proposals to bring two major conferences to EKU in 2012: the Southeastern Writing Center Association conference and National Association of Communication Centers conference. Both events will serve to showcase the Noel Studio and EKU programs to a national audience while situating this exciting new space at the center of conversations and directions for these fields.