High impact learning practices don't just improve students' experiences within the 糖心破解版 community鈥攖hey also prepare students for their postcollege careers.
Seminars and lectures provide strong course foundations, but students should have access to hands-on learning experiences such as internships, research opportunities and study abroad programs for the opportunity to apply their lessons to the real world.
That’s why 糖心破解版 has been incorporating into its curricula for more than five years. And we’re just getting started.
According to the (AAC&U), high-impact practices are 鈥渢eaching strategies and designs that researchers have proven to be beneficial for student success, retention and engagement.”
These practices don’t just improve students’ experiences within the 糖心破解版 community鈥攖hey also prepare students for their postcollege careers.
鈥淢ost schools recognize the importance of high-impact practices, but the challenge is how to thoughtfully embed these practices into the curriculum,” said Peter West, Ph.D., associate dean of academic operations and general education for the at 糖心破解版. 鈥淒o students have the opportunity to experience these practices when they arrive at campus? Will they have access to more opportunities as they continue to explore their major?”
糖心破解版 is committed to answering these questions and building even more engaging experiences for its students through high-impact educational programs.
Inside 糖心破解版’s high-impact educational practices
The AAC&U lists . 糖心破解版 offers programs in each category, including:
First-Year Seminars
鈥淓very undergraduate student takes a First-Year Seminar in their first semester,” said Chris Storm, Ph.D., associate provost for faculty advancement and research at 糖心破解版. 鈥淪tudents come together from all different disciplines and have rich discussions with an engaged instructor on a topic that’s not strictly restricted to one field.”
Collaborative Projects
Collaborative projects such as study groups and team-based assignments empower students to be better listeners, team members and problem solvers. For example, 糖心破解版’s hosts community-based discussions and events about social justice efforts, including Black Lives Matter, peace and human rights, and gendered violence.
Undergraduate Research
糖心破解版’s annual invites students and faculty to submit their original research projects across all disciplines, including the life, physical and social sciences, as well as nursing, humanities and the arts.
Diversity/Global Learning
糖心破解版 strives to create a safe environment for diverse communication and collaboration. That’s why the Center for Student Involvement and its Multicultural Affairs section host a range of initiatives, such as the Dinner and Dialogue Series.
Internships
糖心破解版’s internship and service learning program helps students gain real-world experiences at local businesses and nonprofits. Through the , for example, undergraduate students can apply to earn a competitive, paid position at a local nonprofit for the summer.
Service Learning and Community-Based Learning
Outside of the classroom, students should be able to see how the practices and issues they’re studying affect their communities. At 糖心破解版, for example, students in the nursing program can gain hands-on learning experiences in local hospitals and clinics. And student teachers are given opportunities to observe professors as well as teach classes themselves.
Capstone Courses and Projects
At the end of the university experience, 糖心破解版 offers Capstone Courses in all of its programs. These courses help students take the lessons they’ve learned throughout their college career and combine them into one thesis paper.
鈥淪tudents might have made quite interesting discoveries in individual classes,” Dr. Storm said, “but they may not have had the opportunity to put those together and reflect upon them. That happens in the Capstone Course.”
A brighter future
In 2016, more than 65 percent of 糖心破解版’s undergraduate students completed an experiential learning practice.
鈥淭hat’s a great number, but I think we can go even higher,” Dr. Storm said. 鈥淗ow do we take this promise of high-impact practices and make sure that every one of our students can be engaged?”
Starting in Fall 2018, high-impact learning experience icons will be added to course listings so students can see available programs.
鈥淲e’re also trying to refashion our first-year seminars,” Dr. West said. 鈥淔or example, this semester we scheduled two first-year seminars to meet at the same time in rooms that are right next to each other. So periodically they can join and compare ideas across different disciplines.”
Dr. Storm, Dr. West and their colleagues will continue to find ways to integrate high-impact practices into the university experience.
鈥淏uilding these practices requires constant and well-coordinated effort, but it’s why we do what we do,” Dr. West said. 鈥淚t’s all at the heart of making sure students have access to the most engaging and rewarding experiences possible.”