Program Review-ElectronicsTechnology

AP Full Official:AAS ElectronicsTechnology

Campus: Pohnpei Campus

Completed by: Nelchor T. Permitez

AP Review Submission Date: March 2014

AR Review Cycle: 2012-2013

1. Program Mission

   The Electronic Technology Program will provide much needed vocational and technical training to all the Nation’s States. Its primary purpose is to provide students with marketable entry-level skills in the electronic industry or any related field/career. The program qualifies students to take external licensure, vendor-based, or skill standards examinations in the field. If standardized external exams are not available in the field of study, the program prepares students at skill levels expected of employees in an occupation found in the workforce. The academic and technical coursework will also prepare students to pursue advanced training in the area at higher institution.

2. Program Goals

   Its aim is to make student successful in the field of applied electronics science and technology and become competent in servicing and troubleshooting of electronic circuits and devices.

3. Program History

   The program was created by recommendations of Pohnpei Campus Advisory Council to offer a certificate of achievement (COA) in electronics to train local students to acquire skills in maintaining and repairing of electronic equipment and devices which was a needed skill in the community and the local workforce.

   Milestones:
   

   • 1999 - The first course was offered with five students.
   • 2000 - One full time instructor was recruited to assist in designing curriculum and offer courses
   • 2001- Additional instructor was recruited and enrollment increased to 12 students
   • 2003 - Substantive change report to WASC was approved to extend COA in Electronics to include Advanced Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronic Technology. Commenced the use of computer assisted instruction (NIDA) to improve course delivery
   • 2004 - First AAS degree graduates
   • 2005 - Modified Fiber Optic course to be in compliance with the Electronic Technicians Association (ETA) standards.
   • 2006 - Modified courses in the Electronic Technology program to improve coursework with more hands-on training on actual equipment and devices. A course on personal computer repair was created using the standards of Cisco Networking Academy. A course on video systems and product servicing was created to improve students’ skills in maintaining and repairing video systems, including TV and monitor, VCR, DVD, and other related devices. A course on business machines servicing was created to improve students’ skills in maintaining and repairing office equipment such as printers, copy machines, cash registers, and other related equipment.
   • 2008 - Currently working on course modifications to improve quality and course delivery based on recommendations from program/course assessment. Course modifications include the introduction of wireless systems, radio communication equipment servicing, and audio systems servicing.
   • 2012 - Establish the TECHNO club for the student in support to their hands-on training and advancement in electronics field.
   • 2013 - Started the Electronics Repair shop which supplement the VEE 224 and VEE 225 courses to enhance service, troubleshooting and repair skills of the students in consumer electronics systems and business machine.
   • 2014 - The program were able to produce electronics signage for other CTE program in Pohnpei campus which is display the program to the community and serve as a marker.

4. Program Descriptions

   Maintenance, troubleshooting, repairing and modifying electronics equipment and systems is the base for a career as a technician in this high-tech field. The computer and information technologies are driving the need for more maintenance and repair services. The academic course work, technical skills training and practical experience available in this program prepare the student for positions within the industry. Training on and with the state of the art computer aided instruction system at COM-FSM will provide the technical edge needed in today’s telecommunications industry. Embedded within the program are three separate exit points, Certificate of Achievement in Electronics Engineering Technology, Advance Certificate in Electronics Technology and the Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology. Figure 1, show the entry and exit points for electronics program.

5. Program Admission Requirements

   The admission requirements for ET programs follow the same the admission requirements for all certificates of achievement programs as offered by the College in which students must complete high school education or equivalence to enter in either program.

   Students must be admitted into degree programs based on the results of the College of Micronesia-FSM Entrance Exam (COMET) to further their studies into the Advanced Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree. Students who are admitted into the programs as certificate bound status must change their status to degree bound by retaking and passing the COMET into the degree programs.

6. Program Certificate/Degree Requirements

   Certificate of Achievement in Electronic Engineering Technology

   General Education Requirements................................................15credits
   Mathematics (8)
   MS 104 Technical Math I (4)
   MS 106 Technical Math II (4)
   Computer Applications (3 credits)
   CA 100 Computer Literacy (3)
   Natural Science (4 credits)
   Any Science with lab: [preferably SC130 Physical Science]

   Technical Requirements................................................22credits
   VEE 103 Electronic Fundamentals I (3)
   VSP 121 Industrial Safety (1.5)
   VEE 100 Soldering and Mechanical Termination Techniques (1.5)
   VEM 110 Workshop Fabrications (3)
   VEE 104 Electronic Fundamentals II (4)
   VEE 110 Discrete Devices I (3)
   VEE 125 Electronic Circuits (3)
   VEE 135 Digital Electronics I (3)

   Total Requirements................................................37credits
   

   Advanced Certificate in Telecommunication Technology

   General Education Requirements ................................(3 credit)
   EN 123 Technical Communications (3)

   Technical Elective (2)
   (Student may choose any technical course subject to approval by division)
   VEE 250 Co-operative Education (2)
   VTE 281 Cellular Phone Repairs (3)
   Sub Total Requirements................................14 credits
   Certificate of Achievement ................................37 credits
   Total Requirements...................................51 credits

   Advanced Certificate in Electronic Technology

   General Education Requirements................................3 credits
   EN 123 Technical Communications (3)
   

   Technical Requirements................................ 12 credits
   VEE 223 PC Hardware & Software (4)
   VEE 222 Discrete Devices II (3)
   VEE 235 Digital Electronic II (3)
   

   Associate of Applied Science in Electronic Technology

   General Education Requirements..........................4 credits
   Humanities (3)
   Any course in art, music, history, language, philosophy (3)
   Physical Education (1)
   Any Physical Education course

   Technical Major Requirements............................11 credits VEE 224 Video Systems & Product Servicing (4)
   VEE 225 Business Machines & Servicing (4)
   VEE 240 Signal Processing (3)
   Sub Total Requirements............................ 15 credits
   Advanced Certificate in Electronic Technology............................ 52 credits

   Graduation Requirements................................ 67 credits

   Source: COM-FSM General Catalog

   
   
   

   Source: COM-FSM General Catalog

7. Program Courses and Enrollment

   Course	Fall 12	Spring 12	Fall 13	Spring 13
   VEE222	13	14	15	16
   VEE222	13	16	10	10
   VEE224		13		13
   VEE225		14		13
   VEE230	8		12	12
   VEE235	13		17
   VEE240	15		11	14
   VEE250	/td>			13

   Table 1. AAS ET program courses and enrollment.

   The table 1, shows the courses for AAS ET and the number of students for each semester which form 1 section at Pohnpei campus for AY2012-2013. Source COM-FSM website IRPO data.

8. Program Faculty

   Full-time Faculty
   

   1. Nelchor Permitez- Associate Professor
      BSIE major in Electronics
      MIST, Philippines
      Master of Education (M.Ed.) major in Educational management
      MIST, Philippines
      Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) major in Educational management,
      EARIST, Philippines
   2. Gardner Edgar- Division Chairman, Assistant professor
      BS in Technology, Texas University

   Part Time Faculty
   

   3. Bradley Henry - PUC Supervisor

   Note: Faculty to Student Ratio: 1:15

9. Program Indicators

   Assessment of Course Learning Outcomes of program courses

   Assessment of course student learning outcomes of program courses	See appendix 1, The result shows the technical courses offered in AAS ET for AY2012-2013. Each have Course Student learning Outcome, Assessment strategies and Target & task, result and Improvement & follow-up.
   Assessment of program student learning outcomes	See appendix 2, The result shows the AAS ET for AY2012-2013 Program Learning Outcome result divided into four column namely: Goal, Program student learning outcomes, Assessment strategies and Target & task, result and Improvement & follow-up.
   Program enrollment (historical enrollment patterns, student credits by major)	Fa12 Sp12 Fa13 Sp13 Number of students 59 52 48 49 Ave credit enrolled 10.8 11.2 10.9 10.5 Number of credits 167 206 195 260 Table 2. AAS ET Program Enrollment The table 2, shows the number of students on AAS ET program for AY 2012-2013 fall and spring semester. Also the average credit enrolled for each semester including the number of credits. Source COM-FSM website IRPO data.
   Average class size	Program Term Section Enroll Max Enrollment EnrollRatio AvgClassSize AAS ET Fall 2012 8 160 89 55.6% 11.1 AAS ET Fall 2013 7 138 78 56.5% 11.1 AAS ET Spring 2012 5 88 59 67% 11.8 AAS ET Spring 2013 7 117 81 69.2% 11.6 Table 3. AAS ET Program section, enrollment ratio and average class size. The table 3, shows the AAS Electronic Technology data on each semester term, section, maximum enrollment, enrollment, enrollment ratio and average class size. Source COM-FSM website IRPO data.
   Course completion rate	Program Term Students ABCorP% ABCDorP% W% Electronic Technology (AAS) Fall 2011 130 90.0% 96.2% 1.5% Electronic Technology (AAS) Fall 2012 95 88.4% 88.4% 3.2%% Electronic Technology (AAS) Fall 2013 85 82.4% 90.6% 3.5% Electronic Technology (AAS) Spring 2011 64 84.4% 90.6% 9.4% Electronic Technology (AAS) Spring 2012 66 84.8% 86.4% 12.1% Electronic Technology (AAS) Spring 2013 86 88.4% 90.7% 5.8% Table 4. AAS EY Course Completion Rate. The table 4, shows the AAS ET course completion for each term from Fall – Spring 2011-2013, number of students, the percentage of students who got ABC or P grade, the number of students who got ABCD or P grade and the withdrawal percentage.
   Student persistence rate (semester to semester)	Major Degree New FT Students 2011_3 Students 2012_1 Students 2012_3 Persistence Spring 2012 Retention Fall 2012 Electronic Technology AAS 15 13 8 86.7%   Major Degree New FT Fall 2012 Persisted Spring 2013 Retented Fall 2013 Persistence Spring 2013 Retention Fall 2013 Electronic Technology AAS 10 7 6 70.0%   Table 5. Student Persistence Data. Table 5, shows AAS ET persistence rate for Spring 2012 is 86.7% and for Spring 2013 is 70.0%.Source COM-FSM website IRPO data.
   Student retention rate (Fall-to-Fall for two-year programs; Fall-to-Spring for one-year programs)	Major Degree New FT Students 2011_3 Students 2012_1 Students 2012_3 Persistence Spring 2012 Retention Fall 2012 Electronic Technology AAS 15 13 8   53.3% Major Degree New FT Fall 2012 Persisted Spring 2013 Retented Fall 2013 Persistence Spring 2013 Retention Fall 2013 Electronic Technology AAS 10 7 6   60.0% Table 6. AAS ET Student Retention Data. Table 6, shows the retention rate of AAS ET for Fall 2012 is 53.3% and for Fall 2013 is 60.0%.Source COM-FSM website IRPO data.
   Success rates on licensing or certification exams (CTE, TP, Nursing, etc)	Currently there is no certification or licensing exams in place in FSM however the courses are currently in process aligning the competency skills requirements to pass on Electronics Technician Association (ETA) in United States to meet the current industry standards set forth by the association.
   Graduation rate based on yearly number	Graduation head count at COM_FSM PNI campus   Fa12 SP12 FA13 SP13 Number of students 8 1 9 5 Table 7. Graduation head count at COM_FSM PNI campus. The table 7, shows that there were 8 students graduated in Fall 2012, 1 in Spring 2012, 9 in Fall 2013 and 5 students graduated in Spring 2013 for AAS ET in AY 2012-2013 . Source COM-FSM Pohnpei campus OAR.
   Student Seat Cost	Fall 2012 Spring 20013 Summer 2013 79 139 0 Table 8. Student seat cost for AY 2012-2013 Table 8, shows the seat cost of AAS ET. During summer 2013 the seat cost is zero because there is no course of the program offered.
   Cost of duplicate or redundant courses, programs or services	NONE
   Students' satisfaction rate	The division of technology and trade come up with its own student satisfaction rating form that will measure the satisfaction of the student in the program courses as instructors methodology, program materials, equipment acquired knowledge and learned skills. Using the four point Likert scale, 25 student respondents who evaluated the course offered in AAS ET the total computed mean rate is 3.8 which means satisfactory rating. Source AY2012-2013 students evaluation form.
   Alumni data	From the 16 students graduate for AY2012-2013, 4 student pursue bachelors education in mainland and COM-FSM 12 are locally employed however not related to the program they finish which is consider as “underemployed”.
   Employment data and employer feedback (employer survey)	High-tech service shop hired one of our student graduate and the head technician rate him satisfactory in the workplace for he knows how to follow instruction as assigned. However our graduate did not stay there for long for he find another job opportunity which is close to his house.
   Program added or cancelled at nearby regional institutions (PCC, GCC, Hawaii schools, UOG, CMI, NMC)	The following regional schools offers same program on different nomenclature that of COM-FSM are as follows: PCC offers AAS General Electronics GCC handles Secondary CTE Program in electronics Hawaii Community College offers AAS in Electronics Technology Honolulu Community College offers Associate in Science (AS) Degree in the Computing, Electronics, and Networking Technology program The program offerings of the regional institution does not have significant impact on the student in-flow and out-flow base on the trending of registration for AY 2012-2013. The graduate student usually pursue further education on these institution for bachelors degree. The program meet the regular average number of students for each course for each semester in AY 2012-2013.
   Transfer rate	For AY 2012-2013, there is 1 recorded and track that pursue education to bachelors program at U.S. mainland and 3 to another AS degree program in COM-FSM.

10. Analysis

    Findings:

    1. Program course enrollment.
       The program course enrollment according to the collected data the average result is 13 thus produce 3-4 sections per semester. The courses like VEE 222 and VEE 223 is being offered in succeeding semester (fall-spring-fall-spring).
    2. Course student learning outcome.
       In AAS ET there were eight (8) technical courses that need to take by a student to earn the degree. All of this courses the target is at least 70% of the student registered in the course must at least receive a grade of 70 or “C” or better as seen on TRACDAT generated report.
       The target is met for AY 2012-2013 and the turnout rate of the students who got a 70or “C” or better grade is above 70%.
    3. Program Student Learning Outcome.
       AAS ET have 6 PSLO each have a corresponding technical courses which fulfill each learning outcome to comply the program objective.
       The result base on the generated report from TRACDAT the 6 PSLO target was met accordingly.
    4. Program Enrollment.
       d.1 Historical enrollment pattern
       Based on the data gathered the enrollment for each semester for AY 2012-2013 Fall-Spring-Fall-spring semester the trending is high (59,52,48,49). d.2 Students Average credit in AAS ET.
       The recorded Student average credit for this program for AY 2012-2013 Fall –spring-fall-spring semester are 10.8, 11.2, 10.9 and 10.5.
    5. Average class size
       The average class size for AY2012-2013 varies from semester to semester are 11.1, 11.1, 11.8 and 11.6.
    6. Course completion rate.
       The data for AY2012-2013 completion rate for Fall-Spring-Fall-spring semester 88.4%,88.8%,82.4% and 88.4%.
    7. Persistence rate (semester to semester).
       Spring 2012 is 86.7% and Spring 2013 is 70.0% . The trend goes down by 16.7%.
    8. Retention rate (fall to fall)
       Fall 2012 is 53.3% and Fall 2013 is 60%. The trend goes up by 6.7%.
    9. Success rate on licensing or certification exam.
       The AAS ET program does not require the student to pass on licensing or certification exam given by the third party certification body to graduate however the courses on this program are being look after by the qualified professional instructor from time to time to meet the standards and competencies needed by the industry for them to be competitive and be able to pass on Electronics Technician Association( ETA) certification exam.
    10. Graduation rate.
        COM-FSM Pohnpei campus for AY 2012-2013 were able to produce 23 graduates for AAS ET. Source OAR COM-FSM Pohnpei.
    11. Seat Cost
        
    12. Cost of Duplicate or redundant courses, programs or dervices.
    13. Alumni rate.
        4 graduate of this program pursue to further their education and 12 are locally employed but not on the degree they finish. There are several alumni feedback telling that most of technical courses and general education courses of the AAS ET are not articulated in regional schools such as Hawaii and Guam.
    14. Employment data and employer feedback.
        1 graduate work at high-tech electronics and the feedback of the shop supervisor is satisfactory and 1 work in FSMTC whose performance is also outstanding as describe by his supervisor.
    15. Program Added or cancelled at regional institutions.
        PCC, HCC and GCC are the identified regional institutions offering the same program but their main focus is on computer and networking. COM-FSM offers electronics whose focus is on consumer electronics servicing, business machine servicing and computer maintenance. The regional institution charges the tuition fee by credit hour whereas COM-FSM charge by credit.
    16. Transfer rate.
        One graduate was track pursuing his studies for bachelors program at Guam University and the 3 others are still in COM-FSM taking another degree program.

    Recommendations:

    It is recommended the following strategy should be adopted to ensure the sustainability of AAS ET program and meet the industry demand for Electronics technician.

    1. 1. Modify VEE224 course by including flat screen panel (LCD,LED and Plasma) video equipment servicing.
    2. Remove the VEE 266 course as one of its elective course.
    3. Modify VEE100 course and include infra red (IR) soldering technique and ball grid array (BGA) soldering procedure.
    4. Modify the VEE 110, 125, 222 courses and include a comprehensive procedure on active and passive component testing procedure.
    5. Purchase NIDA cards for VEE240 hands-on experiment and new component tester and oscilloscope. Majority of the test equipments and generators in the workshop are shared by AAS ET and AAS TC are now more than 10 yrs old and need to be refurbish or change for most of it are already starting to show some error.
    6. It is also recommended that the technical courses and general education courses must be revisit and benchmark to that of Honolulu community college ( HCC) and Guam Community College (GCC) for alignment of credits hours and articulation purpose supposing the student wants to pursue further their education on this regional accredited schools, courses taken in AAS ET can be credited.
    7. The suggested course offering in the catalog must be strictly followed unless otherwise that the student is graduating for consideration.
    8. AAS-ET is one of the popular program in the CTE but was not able to accommodate students due to limited instructor. To increase the number of courses offered on each semester and likewise increase the revenue of the program, it is recommended that new teaching personnel must be hire or give overload to the existing instructor to handle the courses needed by the students.
    9. If adjunct instructor is hire or may be a volunteer instructor is invited to teach a course in the program their relevant education, experience and skills must be screen thoroughly to not jeopardize the quality of the AAS ET PLO's and SLO's.
    10. The tuition fee by credit currently followed by COM-FSM should be change to tuition fee charge to credit hours through this approach the return of investment of the program that has a laboratory or workshop hour in their courses is compensated accordingly like the other institution in the region which charges their tuition fee by a credit hour and not by the credit.
    11. It is also suggested that the division of trade and technology be institutionalized so it will have an independent budget to runs its programs much effectively most specially in purchasing its resources for training and instruction to fulfill the PSLO's and CSLO'S instead of clinging its budget to Pohnpei campus instructional division.