TracDat Assessment
CO-CURRICULAR ENGAGEMENT
+description
What is TracDat? +Contents 01
DESCRIPTION What is TracDat?
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PURPOSE Why do we use it? Why is your role important?
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examples
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Faq’s
tutorial Accessing TracDat Entering Data Review & Submission
TracDat is the primary assessment and strategic planning software utilized across many departments and units at the University of North Florida. The Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Community-Based Learning have partnered to develop TracDat as a tool to assess community-based co-curricular student engagement. > Information is gathered in TracDat through a selfreporting, online form accessed through Staff and Student MyWings accounts. > Upon submission, the data is organized by the Center for Community-Based Learning to report out the communitybased activities within each Student Affairs Unit (or Office) and in the Division of Student Affairs at large.
+purpose
Why do we use it?
The TracDat Co-Curricular Engagement Survey is intended to assess the nature of community-based activities across all Units in Student Affairs. Effectively using this tool will help UNF: > Build a Culture of Assessment > Enhance Student Learning > Capture Meaningful Community-Based Activities
Why is your role important?
Given this survey is built on self-reported information, each person’s contributions are vital to giving an accurate glimpse at community-based activities in the Division of Student Affairs at UNF.
ACCESSING TRACDAT +tutorial
TUTORIAL
Accessing TracDat
1. Login to MyWings portal
2. Click on the “Staff” tab
3. Scroll down to the “Institutional Effectiveness” box and click “TracDat”
4. On the TracDat Home page, click “Data Tools”
“ and you are now able to begin entering
TUTORIAL
6. Finally, click “
Accessing TracDat
5. Then click “Questionnaires”
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ENTERING DATA
Detailed in this portion of the TracDat tutorial are key elements to one’s successful completion of the survey.
+ The tutorial is not all encompassing.
TUTORIAL
ENTERING DATA
The survey data is most useful when all fields are completed, whereas only the fields which require explanation are found here.
+ Reporting accuracy is important.
Please complete all fields to the best of your ability, keeping in mind that reporting accuracy is of great significance.
+ Review examples and definitions.
Throughout you will find project examples for some issue areas and other clarifying definitions. These are where some of the most common mix-ups occur.
+ If you are unsure, ask!
Considering the diversity of projects, events, and activities being reported in this survey, it is difficult to make every field applicable to each group. Rather than completing the survey with information you are unsure is accurate, please ask the appropriate colleagues or other staff to ensure the validity of your reporting.
Name of Unit The “Name of Unit” field is automatically populated by all units in the Division of Student Affairs at UNF.
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If you are reporting an event which is a collaboration between more than one unit, please choose one of the units in this field and in the “Event Description” field to follow, list out the other units involved. If you selected “Fraternity and Sorority Life” as the unit you are reporting for, it is very important to then designate the name of your Greek organization.
Event Description
ENTERING DATA
The “Event Description” should encompass a detailed lens into your activity/event. Suggested content might include: Who was involved? Include a description of UNF students, community members, or other stakeholders. What happened? Describe the event itself as well as what you did at the event.
TUTORIAL
ENTERING DATA
Why is this important? A description of the activity/event significance to your organization/group.
Location of Activity
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Campus Site
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Community Site
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Both - Campus & Community Site
An activity/event which occurs on UNF’s physical campus. e.g. Fundraising for the Dance Marathon UNF event to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.
An activity/event which occurs in the e.g. Volunteering to package meals at Fletcher High School, community beyond UNF’s physical campus. assisting Stop Hunger Now’ s efforts to end global hunger.
An activity/event which occurs both e.g. Fundraising on-campus for an event that occurs in the on UNF’s physical campus and in the community. community beyond UNF’s physical campus.
Type of Engagement The “Type of Engagement� describes the activity by category, distinguishing between some commonly confused community-oriented efforts.
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Outreach
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Volunteering
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Philanthropy
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Immersion
Activities that increase awareness or knowledge of particular community issues.
Activities involving unconpensated time dedicated to a group or movement with a mission of affecting positive social change. This is mutually beneficial to the volunteer and the organization.
Activities which fundraise or collect goods for a social issue or cause. Many Philanthropy activities may involve a Volunteering or Outreach component.
Activities which embed students in short-term experiences for educational, cultural, or community development purposes (generally over a
Contact Hours “Contact Hours” give a glimpse into the total amount of time dedicate towards an activity. This total can be calculated by multiplying the number of participants by the number of hours one participant dedicated toward the activity. If UNF employees participated in an event, include them in this number.
e.g. 10 students X 6 hours/student = 60 contact hours
TUTORIAL
ENTERING DATA
Dollar Amount Collected If money is raised through an activity, this total number will help capture the scope of the project and its potential impact. Many events where dollars are collected happen over a period of time. In this section, please include the total dollar amount for the time period of this report and specify in the “Event Description” box the nature of a recurring event.
ENTERING DATA
Issue Area The “Issue Area” tab notes the substantive categories of the designated “Type(s) of Engagement”. It is important to make an educated decision when categorizing your activity’s issue area. When designating an issue area, consider using these questions to guide your choice:
What is mission of the organization or group we are serving? What is the primary purpose of our activity? What social issue will our activity impact? It may seem appropriate to choose the “Issue Area” based on the population being served. Alternatively, we recommend you choose the “Issue Area” based on purpose and the specific field of impact. See the Examples section for clarification. Please try not to choose the “Other” category. Although this may be one’s only option in very rare cases, the primary “Issue Area” of your activity
For examples see page 14
Learning Outcome: the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students take with them from a learning experience.
Learning Outcomes Self-reporting the learning occurred during your activity is guided here by focusing on three learning outcomes.
TUTORIAL
REVIEW+SUBMIT
The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) promotes standards to enhance opportunities for student learning and development. The Division of Student Affairs at UNF uses CAS learning and development outcomes to guide and evaluate student learning. When completing this survey, you have the option of choosing one of the three most relevant learning outcomes you think participants in the given activity have acquired, as decribed below: 1. Understanding and appreciation of cultural and human differences: - understands one’s own identity and culture - seeks involvement with people different from oneself - articulates the advantages and impact of a diverse society - identifies systemic barriers to equality and inclusiveness, and then advocates and justifies means for dismantling them - in interactions with others, exhibits respect and preserves the dignity of others 2. Sense of civic responsibility: - demonstrates consideration of the welfare of others in decision-making - engages in critical reflection and principled dissent - understands and participates in relevant governance systems - educates and facilitates the civic engagement of others 3. Social responsibility: - recognizes social systems and their influence on people - appropriately challenges the unfair, unjust, or uncivil behavior of other individualsor groups - participates in service/volunteer activities that are characterized by reciprocity - articulates the values and principles involved in personal decision-making - affirms and values the worth of the individuals and communities
For more information on CAS learning and development outcomes visit www.cas.edu
REVIEW + SUBMIT Before Submission
Review the content of your information before submission to ensure accuracy of reporting on behalf of your Unit.
+ Examples
In the secion to follow are examples of activities and their corresponding issue areas and activity types that can be used to clarify some common questions or uncertainties.
+ Frequently Asked Questions
Included in the “Examples” section are FAQ’s which correspond to the given examples.
+ All Data Fields Completed
It may be problematic if there are fields left blank. Please double- check that all of the fields are filled out to the best of your ability and that the information represents what is most accurate.
+ Learning Outcome Identified
Although you may not have designated one of our provided learning outcomes for your event before the event was held, please designate a learning outcome to the best of your knowledge.
Examples
Did you know... The most common community-based issue areas UNF students are involved with are:
1. Children + Youth 2. Disability Issues 3. Health Care + Wellness 4. Hunger