Considering Cornerstones for Student and Faculty Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13021/G8DC7SKeywords:
interdisciplinary learning, persistance, retention, experiential learning, technology-enhanced learning, student reflection, assessment, curriculum developmentAbstract
Cornerstones is an alternative interdisciplinary general education program for
high-achieving first-year students. It consists of four 6-credit courses taught in
sequence. Some of the hallmarks of the program are experiential learning (2-3
field trips in each course), information literacy and technology across the courses,
an emphasis on inquiry and research, collaboration by both students and faculty,
an introduction to competency-based education, and student agency in response
to critical issues (e.g, sustainability). In this session, we will discuss constructing
assignments that encourage reflective, integrative learning; incorporating
and assessing experiential learning; implementing our OSCAR "discovery of
scholarship" project; and developing faculty for interdisciplinary study. Through
this interactive discussion, participants in the session will explore how they might
adopt some of these practices in their own courses. In addition, participants will
have an opportunity to enhance the Cornerstones curriculum and pedagogy by
describing their own courses and practices. There will also be an opportunity to
ask about teaching in the Cornerstone program.