Designing Powerful Integrative Learning Experiences

Rick VazDean, Interdisciplinary and Global StudiesWorcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute2

Overview of the Session

• Introductions, your goals

• What do you want your students to be able to do?

• How will you know?

• What assignments, activities, and feedback will get them there?

• How will this fit in the curriculum? What support is needed? What barriers must be overcome?

• Discussion

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Assertions about Integrative Learning

• IL is about tying things together: gen ed + major, curricular + co-curricular, campus + community, local + global

• IL results from authentic assignments

• IL is inherently interdisciplinary and messy

• IL requires considerable time on task

• IL results in transferrable benefits to students

• IL is preparation for both a life of work and a fulfilling life

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Brainstorming: Skills and Abilities

• What do you want your students to be able to do as a result of their integrative learning?

• Report out: Which 2-3 skills and abilities are most important to you?

• How many of your skills/abilities are content-based? How many are transferrable to other domains?

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How Will You Know if You’ve Succeeded?

• For your 2-3 skills and abilities:

─ What evidence of student learning will you look for?

─ What evaluation challenges might arise?

• From a programmatic standpoint:

─ What indicators of program success (as opposed to student success) might be important?

─ How crucial will evidence of success be on your campus?

• Report out:

─ Thoughts on assessment

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Assignments, Activities, Feedback, Support

• Consider your 2-3 most important skills and abilities, and the evidence you will seek.

• What assignments and activities can help your students develop them?

• What feedback and support will faculty have to provide beyond the usual means?

• Report out:

─ one assignment or activity

─ one example of feedback or support

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Making it Work

• How easily can integrative learning fit into your curriculum?

• What will be the primary challenges and barriers?

• What support mechanisms/resources can help?

• What faculty development is needed?

• Report out:

─ Greatest challenge

─ Most important resource for success

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Going Forward

• How easily does integrative learning fit into your curriculum?

• What are the primary challenges and barriers?

• What support mechanisms/resources can help?

• Report out:

─ Greatest challenge moving forward

─ Most important resource for success