1. Designing Powerful Integrative Learning Experiences Rick Vaz Dean, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2. 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 2

3. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 3

4. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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? 4

5. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 5

6. 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 6

7. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 7

8. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 8

9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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 9