1. Betsy Barefoot John Gardner

2. Integrative Learning

3. Integrative learning is the process of connecting academics and beyond-the-classroom experiences so that students can apply information and skills to novel and complex issues or challenges.

4.  Integrative learning makes learning more relevant, more meaningful, more connected to the world in which our students live.  “Connecting disparate information and synthesizing concepts are necessary skills for success in the knowledge economy of the 21 st century.” (* James Barber) * In P. Eddy (Ed.), Connecting Learning Across the Institution. New Directions for Higher Education, #165, 2014.

5.  But... integrative learning is nothing new. It has been ◦ Dusted off. ◦ Shined up. ◦ Recast for today’s learning environment.

6.  A study-abroad experience might change a student’s view of the world.  Participation as a student government officer might bring to life coursework in finance, sociology, philosophy (ethics).

8.  Institutions can (and should) take more responsibility for integrative learning.  Integrative learning requires partnerships between faculty and student affairs.

9.  Students find similarities between what they learn in class with what they experience out of class.  Students experience disequilibrium – what they learn in class does not inform what they experience out of class.

10.  Three major steps (not necessarily sequential) ◦ Connection: The discovery of a similarity between distinctive ideas ◦ Application: The use of knowledge from one context in another ◦ Synthesis: The creation of new knowledge by combining two or more insights (Student will often find this step difficult and will need the assistance of faculty and/or staff.)

11. Kolb, David A. 1984. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice- Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

12.  First-Year Seminars and Experiences  Common Intellectual Experiences  Learning Communities  Writing (Communication)-Intensive Courses  Collaborative Assignments and Projects  Undergraduate Research  Diversity/Global Learning  Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning  Internships  Capstone Courses and Projects

13.  Which of these high-impact practices are offered at your college or university?  Is integrative learning an explicit or implicit goal for any of them?

14.  The role of faculty  The perpetual issues of comfort with this mode of learning, time, and the reward system

15.  Communicating with “the other.”  Increasing everyone’s knowledge about others in the college or university community who focus on a different component of learning

16.  Involving large numbers of students  Keeping track of who does what  Involving transfer students

17.  The work of  AAC&U (Association of American College and Universities)  The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching  Our national interest in “student engagement” Integrative learning as a pathway to engagement  Our national interest in student retention (and anything that might increase retention rates)

18.  The desire of institutions to increase the real and perceived value of higher education.  Not just “pricey” but priceless!

19. http://www.sc.edu/uscconnect/

20. Engaging students beyond the classroom Global Learning Internships Peer Leadership Community Service Research Discovery in every discipline

21. Beyond the Classroom Experiences Integrative Learning Graduation with Leadership Distinction Course work