Using Sage Campus to Up-Skill Doctoral Candidates in Critical Thinking and Writing
The Abraham S. Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) faced a significant challenge: many incoming doctoral students lacked the critical thinking and writing skills necessary to excel in their programs. These students, often returning to academia after several years, struggled to meet the rigorous academic standards required for their courses and assignments.
To tackle this issue, the college decided to restructure its course sequence for doctoral students and introduce new introductory courses focused on improving these essential skills.
Identifying the Problem
Before implementing Sage Campus, there was no unified approach to address the skill gaps in critical thinking and writing.
“Each professor dealt with individual students during class, but the overarching issue was not being addressed”
To level the playing field, new introductory courses were developed. Curriculum developers sought ready-made tools to support critical thinking, critical analysis, and academic writing. Johnson introduced them to Sage Campus courses on critical thinking and critical reading and writing, which were then incorporated into the required coursework.
Implementing the Solution
Sage Campus content, designed with pedagogical effectiveness and instructional design in mind, integrates seamlessly into university courses. Instructors can choose full courses or specific modules to meet their learning objectives. Nova Southeastern selected modules from Sage Campus’s critical thinking and critical reading and writing courses for their new introductory course.
The platform’s features make it easy to track student progress. Instructors can set up a cohort for each course section and monitor student progress through the assigned modules on the cohort dashboard. Students receive a certificate upon completion, providing a sense of accomplishment and a tangible credential.
“Students complete the modules to set them up for success for the rest of the time in the program,” Johnson says. “This shared instruction ensures all students have the same understanding of concepts.”
Institution Profile
Nova Southeastern University (NSU), located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is classified as a research university with high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. NSU is one of only fifty universities nationwide to be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. It is also the largest private, not-for-profit institution in the United States that meets the U.S. Department of Education’s criteria as a Hispanic-serving institution.
“This resource is a great refresher for returning students that need to get up to speed on expectations and requirements in the academic setting”
By integrating Sage Campus into their curriculum, Nova Southeastern University effectively addressed the critical thinking and writing skill gaps among their doctoral candidates, setting them up for success in their academic and professional careers.
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