Cultivating Integrative Teaching and Learning at Fairfield University Dr. Kathryn Nantz Acting Director, Center for Academic Excellence Director of Core Integration Presented at NEEAN “Dialogues on Integrative Learning” University of Massachusetts Amherst March 25, 2011

Fairfield University Strategic Plan Goal: “Integrating the Core” A. Creating coherence within the core curriculum, both horizontally (across disciplines) and vertically (major). B.Students will come to understand the impact of the core curriculum on their overall education and as the framework on which their major studies build. C.The Academic Division will create specific structures, drawing on resources of the Center for Academic Excellence and the Office of Mission and Identity, to foster discussion of the spirit and specifics of the core among faculty who teach it. D.The Academic Division will develop a system for the coordination and regular assessment of the core, and increase the number of full-time faculty teaching within it.

What is integrative learning? Connecting skills and knowledge from multiple sources and experiences Applying theory to practice in various settings Utilizing diverse and contradictory points of view Understanding issues and positions contextually Source: Huber, Mary Taylor and Pat Hutchings. Integrative Learning: Mapping the Terrain. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities, Purpose: (1)help students connect the dots of their learning (2)Engage students in meaningful learning. © S. Klaf, 2010.

Integrative Learning Practices Develop skills and dispositions that enhance ability to find and take advantage of new opportunities as they arise. Invite students to take different perspectives on an issue. Ask students to draw on learning from earlier courses to explore a new topic or solve a problem. Combine academic and community-based work Use systems of journaling and reflection such as guided journals and learning portfolios. Source: Huber, Mary Taylor and Pat Hutchings. Integrative Learning: Mapping the Terrain. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2005.

Our Core Integration Model: “Pathways to Integrative Thinking and Learning” Six pathways identified: – Engaging Traditions – Creative and Aesthetic Engagement – Global Citizenship – Quantitative Reasoning – Rhetoric and Reflection – Scientific Reasoning Purpose: to provide common conceptual frameworks that we can all use to make integrative connections.

Background Core Integration Initiative (2005 to present) Faculty conversations, workshops, brown bag lunches, retreats Identified need for students to transfer knowledge and connect knowledge over time. Faculty-driven; 6 Faculty, each a Pathway Director Pathways provide “connective tissue”

Core Pathways & Student Development Academic engagement through Core pathways: (a)intended to help students put down roots (b)contribute to student growth as life-long learners Post-Fairfield growth / development Year 1 Community Involvement  First Year Experience  First Year Residential Courses  Exploring major(s) / minor(s) Year 2 Vocational Exploration  Sophomore Experience  Living & Learning  Bridging Core Courses  Selecting major(s) / minor(s)  Service Learning Courses Year 3 Civic Engagement  Major(s) / Minor(s) Courses  Study Abroad  Leadership opportunities Year 4 Discernment  Major(s) / Minor(s) Courses  Capstone experience  Career planning activities  Internships During-Fairfield growth / development Community Involvement  First Year Experience  First Year Residential Courses  Exploring major(s) / minor(s) Vocational Exploration Living & Learning  Bridging Core Courses  Selecting major(s) / minor(s)  Service Learning Courses Civic Engagement  Major(s) / Minor(s) Courses  Study Abroad  Leadership opportunities Discernment  Major(s) / Minor(s) Courses  Capstone experience  Career planning activities  Internships Post-Fairfield growth / development During-Fairfield growth / development

Planting the Seeds of Core Integration Faculty & Professional Staff Special events: Core Kickoff; “Meet the Core Pathways” Summer Institute on Integrative Teaching & Learning for faculty teams Workshops: “Core of the Core” series Pathway Director consults Informational handouts, web presence Practices that impact Students Pathway language on syllabi Assignments encouraging integration of learning Piloting of reflective student electronic portfolios

Cultivating the Pathways Project Continued Growth… Greater exposure of students to Pathways language and integrative practices Inventory of department/program alignment with Pathways Assessing the Core Pathways learning outcomes Foster more meaningful learning and student growth © S. Klaf, 2010.