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LEAP

Sample Campus Community Dialogue Program

Liberal Education and America's Promise: Building Broader Understanding
of the Learning Students Need in the 21st Century

A Campus-Community Dialogue
Sponsored by XXX College/University
In Cooperation with The Association of American Colleges and Universities


1-1:15 P.M. Welcome and Introduction
Presidents of Host Campus(es)

1:15-2:30 P.M. Opening Session

Liberal Education in the 21st Century: The Learning Students Need as a Nation Goes to College
Overview of the Key Outcomes of Liberal Education for the Twenty-First Century
(Campus leader(s) provide overview of the key liberal learning outcomes)

Responses
(From the business and civic communities; from campuses with different institutional missions)

General Discussion of What Needs to Change Institutionally and Societally to Ensure that Students Get the Education They Need
(Participants will receive materials from LIberal Education and America's Promise.)

2:45-4:00 P.M. Round Table Discussions

What Works? Connecting Goals for Student Learning with Effective Curricular Practices
Small Groups Address Particular Goals and What It Will Take to Achieve Them (goals include connecting analytical and practical learning; global and intercultural engagement; scientific literacy; quantitative literacy, etc)

(Host campus(es) identify specific goals/outcomes they want to achieve and assign discussion leaders for each small group discussion. Depending on institutional priorities, the Dialogue can focus on a few goals or each small group can be assigned to discuss a different goal from a longer list.)

4:15 - 5:15 P.M. Round Table Discussions

Building Broader Understanding of The Learning Students Need: How Academic, Community and Business Leaders Can Work Together
Small Groups Brainstorm Ways to Focus Public Understanding on the Value of Liberal Education and Next Steps for Post-Dialogue Action

5:15-5:45 P.M. Closing Comments by Campus Leader(s)

5:45 - 6:30 P.M. Reception

*Provided for illustrative purposes only. Campus hosts will shape their own Dialogues. If you are interested in hosting a dialogue, it is possible that AAC&U can provide resources or speakers.  For additional information, contact Debra Humphreys.


Discussion Questions

These questions are designed to guide campus-community discussions about the issues raised in the LEAP campaign and AAC&U's earlier project, the Presidents' Campaign for the Advancement of Liberal Learning.

  • What are the most important learning outcomes of a college education in the 21st century?
  • Are these outcomes widely understood and valued on campus?
    Among prospective students in your region?
  • Are these outcomes congruent with the aims of liberal learning, articulated in the LEAP Initiative?
  • What teaching and learning practices and innovations address these aims?
  • Are changes needed in campus practice?
  • Do faculty, administrators, students, and community members in your region use the term liberal education or liberal learning to describe the local campuses' mission and educational program? Why or why not?
  • What can campus and community leaders do together to build public understanding of what matters in college in the 21st century?

 

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LEAP LINKS
     

Overview:
 About LEAP
 Goals & Vision
 Press Coverage
 
Essential Learning Outcomes
     

National Leadership Council:
 NLC Members
 2007 Report (pdf)
 Exec Summary (pdf)
 LEAP Video
 
     

Campus Action Network:
 CAN Members
 Campus Examples
 Get Involved
 CAN Resources
 CAN Video
 
     

State Initiatives:
 The Compass Project
 Oregon
 Virginia
 Wisconsin
 
     

Public Opinion:
 Employer Polls
 Student Focus Groups
 
     

LEAP Resources:
 Campus Action
 Assessment
 Advocacy
 Speeches & Articles
 Outcomes Research
 
     

Donors:
 Donor List
 Leadership Fund
 
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