Our Purpose
In the summer of 2021, five people were thrown together in the whirlwind experience of the Maricopa Summer Institute. The result of that institute was a desire to help Health Sciences Field of Interest students successfully complete First-Year Composition through the contextualization of topics and vocabulary regularly used in the Health Sciences FOI. By focusing on entry-level students in the Health Sciences field, the team felt they would be able to impact the greatest number of students.
We began with contextualization based on the research that supported college completion rates, the positive impact of students recognizing the context, and the benefits to the retention of students in college programs (Wisely, 2009; Perin, 2011; Sorenson, 2019; Lourey, 2000; and Mcleod, 2019). We integrated the idea of using OER materials with further research supporting retention rates and pass rates for underrepresented minorities and socio-economically disadvantaged students (Fischer, Hilton, and Robinson, et al., 2015; Smith, Grimaldi, & Mallick, 2020).
In 2022, the project continued with three of the original five team members working to put the ideas into practice with the support of The Maricopa Center for Learning and Innovation.
What you are reading is the end product of our year of dedication and combined expertise.
Although there are existing OER and possibly Pressbooks related to ENG101, what distinguishes this project is the focus on contextualization in support of health sciences. This ENG101 Pressbook contains assignments and readings curated with input from Health Sciences FOI members and includes ideas such as: creating a published journal entry, researching and evaluating information, comprehending exercise science terms, creating a resume, starting a blog with exercise science info, and telling a story for their future business. We have existing materials and integrate them into this new contextualized ENG101 course.
Topics for the contextualized course have also been created with input from the Exercise Science and Nursing faculty. They include the effectiveness of personal feedback/tracking devices (Fitbit, Apple Watch, or other wearable technology); changing a sedentary lifestyle; sugar, salt, or fat and their effect on Metabolic Syndrome, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, or Heart Disease; body image; recess or PE classes in K-12; disordered eating; and balancing school, work, and life.
We are providing contextualized examples and clear organization so that this ENG101 Pressbook can be adapted to support other Fields of Interest or contexts.
Example Health Sciences English Composition Activity:
Click on this link to read the article.
Now, answer these questions.
For Instructors: A Note About This Textbook
This textbook engages students to become better thinkers, writers, and communicators through the contextualized environment of Health Science. Suggested assignments and other support material can be accessed within the Instructor Information section of this book using a password. Please contact any member of the development team to request the password for the Instructor Information section of the book.
About the Authors
Lori Walk has been a bilingual community college instructor since 1983 teaching Spanish, English, reading, and ESL. She previously edited a Spanish textbook for Cochise Community College. At Glendale Community College, AZ she has taught reading, English composition, ESL, children’s literature, and the EDU220 SEI strategy course for future teachers. She also tutors in the Writing Center and enjoys collaborating in learning communities for Honors and CPD courses. In the past three years her commitment to equity has included developing materials and assignments as a fellow for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Pedagogy Faculty Fellowship. She has collaborated across campuses to develop an OER textbook for ENG102. As a member of the GCC Health Sciences Field of Interest she is contextualizing several courses to include content and assignments best suited for future nurses and exercise science majors.
Christine Jones teaches English Composition at Glendale Community College, AZ. At the college, she is also the Open Educational Resources Faculty Coordinator. She is always working to foster collaboration, increase student engagement, and empower students and faculty through the adoption, modification, and even creation of open educational resources. OER is an exciting avenue that facilitates the integration of inclusiveness interwoven with quality and learning.
Dr. Aaron Fried has worked at Glendale Community College since 2006. He worked as the Head Athletic Trainer from 2006 to 2015 and taught as Exercise Science and Sports Medicine adjunct faculty from 2008 to 2015. In 2015, he became Residential Faculty in the Fitness and Wellness Department. Dr. Fried formerly served as the Faculty Champion for the Health Sciences field of interest and currently serves as the Fitness and Wellness Dual Enrollment Supervisor as well as the Co-Chair for the Guided Pathways Steering Committee. His doctoral studies in health promotion and wellness make him an excellent resource for current readings and research in this contextualized course.
Acknowledgments
We would like to begin by acknowledging our 2021 MSI Team:
Original Five MSI Team Members:
Cristian Lopez, Villegas English and ESL Faculty, South Mountain Community College
“Mickey” Michael Bell, Student Services Analyst, Glendale Community College
Christine Jones, English Faculty, Glendale Community College
Aaron Fried, Exercise Science Faculty, Glendale Community College
Lori Walk, English and Reading Faculty, Glendale Community College
Advisors and Partners:
Sudipta Biswas, Biology Faculty, South Mountain Community College
Grace Paul, Nursing Dept. Chair, Glendale Community College
Jennifer Fay, Exercise Science Faculty, Mesa Community College
Lisa Lewis, Exercise Science Dept. Chair, Glendale Community College
Dr. Jennifer Lane, English and Reading Dept. Chair, Glendale Community College
2021 MOD Press Grant Team Members who created the pressbook Using Research to Support Scholarly Writing: A Critical Thinking and Research Methodology Sandbox for First-Year Composition
Matthew Bloom, English Faculty, Scottsdale Community College and Open Maricopa Co-Chair
Cameron MacElvee, English, World Languages, and Journalism Faculty, Scottsdale Community College
Jeff Sanger, English Faculty and Honors Co-Director, Glendale Community College
Christine Jones, English Faculty, Glendale Community College
Lori Walk, English and Reading Faculty, Glendale Community College
We especially want to acknowledge the 2021 MOD Press Grant Team Members Matthew Bloom, Cameron MacElvee, and Jeff Sanger. They taught us so much about effective collaboration, and their generosity in sharing OER materials laid the foundation for this project. We have indicated Matthew Bloom’s extensive contributions especially in the grammar exercises. His work is available in several MOD pressbooks.
