Curricular Framework

Curricular and Pedagogical Approach

General education and assessment change is, at heart, pedagogical innovation. The 2023 Institute continues to promote “design thinking,” an intentional, creative approach to problem solving well suited to complex, dynamic environments like college and university campuses. Pragmatic and solution-focused, design thinking employs both divergent and convergent thinking, moving from brainstorming and “outside the box” idea generation to a focus on creating strategies best suited to the unique dynamics and needs of your campus.

The Institute curriculum is designed to facilitate general education and assessment reform that empowers students and increase achievement. Participants engage in both shorter information and discussion-based sessions intended to foster dialogue and spark new ideas, as well as longer workshops intended to provide opportunities for deeper analysis and application of ideas to campus-based reform efforts. Participants engage with Institute faculty and colleagues from other institutions around a set of principles and questions that illuminate the power of general education models and pathways to foster academic proficiencies and success in life and work.

Dedicated Team Time: Moving from Planning to Campus Action

In addition to participation-based sessions, a significant portion of the Institute curriculum is reserved for teams to work independently to advance their own general education and assessment reform missions. “Team Time” allows participants to share ideas, map strategies, and consult with Institute faculty on specific obstacles or issues. Through iterative refinement, this time offers teams the ability to create an Action Plan to share with their home institution. The Action Plan typically includes initial and continuing actions of the team, including implementation and advancement steps for enacting the plan, key persons to engage during the change process, and a realistic timeline for accomplishing goals. Action Plans are shared at the Institute in small groups of campus teams to receive helpful feedback and guidance from fellow Institute participants and Institute faculty.