Appendix 2: Glossary
Articulation Agreement A partnership between educational institutions that allows for the transfer of credits from one institution to another.
Banner™ A collegiate administration software suite, produced by SunGard Higher Education.
Developmental Education A program designed to provide basic skills (pre-collegiate) in mathematics, reading and writing.
Diagnostic Assessment A developmental education placement method in which a student is tested and specific gaps in knowledge or proficiency are identified.
Full Time Student Equivalent (FTSE) A method for representing the total credit hours of students as an equivalence for full-time students being served, where a full-time student is treated as 15 credit hours per term or 30 credit hours per academic year.
Hybrid Teaching An instructional delivery method in which course content is split between online instruction and traditional classroom instruction.
Individual Learning Plan A student-specific roadmap of learning that focuses on the student’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
Institutional Knowledge Experiences and broad job knowledge that employees gain through their employment at the institution.
Institutional Outcomes The college-level skills, qualities, and attributes a Pima Community College student should acquire for college preparedness, university transfer, certification, or employment. These outcomes are: Learn, Communicate, Innovate, Participate and Aspire.
Instructional Delivery Method The approach used to deliver course content to students. Examples include online, classroom, and express format.
Instructional Support College programs and processes that help students meet their learning objectives, including assessment centers, learning centers, tutoring, instructional labs, libraries, and open computer labs.
Intranet A collection of computer resources, comparable to the external Internet, which are restricted to internal users.
K-12 A term covering education from Kindergarten through to the 12th grade.
Learning Object A learning module that can be used to teach the same concept across multiple disciplines. For example, a module on metric units, which could be used in Mathematics, Physics or Engineering.
Learning Styles Different ways of learning, including visual learners, auditory learners and tactile learners.
Longitudinal Study An analysis that takes place over a period of time; in contrast to a snapshot view.
Open Academic Calendar A scheduling concept that accommodates non-term-based courses that provide more flexibility to students on when to take classes.
Organizational Climate Survey A survey carried out during Fall 2008 through which an independent firm surveyed Pima County residents and community leaders, and Pima Community College students and employees, to assess how they perceive the College.
Pedagogies The art or science of teaching and instructional methods.
Pima Reports An online platform for delivering automated and interactive reports to College personnel.
Program Review A College process for continually ensuring that its programs are high quality and responsive to the needs of the community.
Race to the Top A US Department of Education competitive grant program aimed at the 50 states that seeks applications that address one of the following core education reform areas: Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy; Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction; Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
Social Media Interactive communication tools.
Student Intent Information regarding a student’s reason for attending the College that is captured for each student during registration in each semester. Students can select from pursuit of a PCC degree or certificate, taking courses for job skills, taking courses for personal interest, taking courses for transfer to a 4 year college/university, or University of Arizona student taking courses at PCC.
Student Learning Outcomes A description of the abilities and knowledge that students obtain through their educational experiences.
Teaching Techniques Different ways to convey the same concepts to students. Examples include interactive classroom exercises, homework assignments or lecture-format classes.
Universal Design A broad spectrum of ideas meant to produce learning environments that are equally accessible to students with diverse physical abilities, incorporate flexibility to meet different preferences and abilities, are straightforward to use, and require little physical effort.
Web Content Management System A system designed to simplify the process for designing and updating web content while maintaining consistency across an institution.