University of Missouri
12/12/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/12/2024 07:27
Learning that sticks
[Link]Ashlie Lester, Antoinette Landor and Michelle Teti at the High Impact Practices Summer Institute. Photo courtesy Joey Yancey.
Dec. 12, 2024
Story by Jade Elwess and Ellen Orner
University of Missouri students will see hands-on learning methods incorporated into more of their classes in the coming semesters after a group of faculty members came together to share ideas and best practices.
The High Impact Practices Summer Institute - made possible by a 2024 MizzouForward Student Success grant - focused on redesigning courses to ensure students experience the Missouri Method, which is Mizzou's philosophy of real-world learning. More than 100 Mizzou faculty members signed up for the two-day institute focused on high-impact practices, or HIPs.
HIPs are referred to as "learning that sticks," because they are experiences that go beyond traditional classroom models. Think internships, undergraduate research, global learning, service learning, community-based learning, writing-intensive courses and first-year seminars and experiences. Research shows that these approaches aren't just memorable; they also help students stay in school and graduate on time.
HIPs are part of the student success goals of Mizzou's strategic plan, which aims to ensure that 100% of graduating students participate in at least three high-impact educational practices.
"If we're going to set that metric, we need to support the faculty charged with making that happen," said Graham McCaulley, director of the Office of Community Engaged Learning and lead on the grant proposal for the institute.
Other goals of the institute included incentivizing broader participation in HIPs, integrating high-impact practices into the curriculum and supporting participating faculty through an ongoing quality control pilot group called a Community of Practice.
The pilot program was also supported by Linda Blockus, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research; Jerry Frank, director of Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs); Amy Lannin, director of the Campus Writing Program; and Andre Thorn, director of the Center for Academic Success and Excellence (CASE).
[Link]Faculty at the HIPs Community of Practice meeting.Creating a Community of Practice
Following the institute, 30 faculty were selected to participate in the Community of Practice. These "HIPs champions" are developing or adapting a course emphasizing one of four HIPs areas: research intensive, writing intensive, service learning or FIGs.
Amanda Alexander, an associate teaching professor and chair of hospitality management in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, found value in the small group interactions.
"It allows you to collaborate with others and bounce ideas off of each other," she said.
The institute gave her a chance to enhance her Hospitality Management 3200 course with a service-learning component she implemented this fall.
The Community of Practice meets six times throughout the academic year to engage in professional development opportunities. Members will continue learning about research-based best practices from colleagues and the alignment of their courses with institutional goals.
Ashlie Lester, associate teaching professor of human development and family science in the College of Education and Human Development, said that the summer institute discussions generated a lot of exciting ideas.
"I found it was very helpful to hear what other faculty are doing in their classes to make an impact in the lives of students who will go out and impact in their communities," Lester said.
Some Community of Practice members have implemented courses this fall, while others will begin in spring or fall 2025, providing more opportunities for students to engage with HIPs courses in the future. It is estimated that 750 students will be impacted by these 30 courses.
HIPs, the Missouri Method and real-world experiences distinguish Mizzou from other universities, McCaulley said.
"It's a competitive advantage," he said. "If you come to Mizzou, you're not just going to be learning, but you're going to stretch that learning through these types of practices."
Read more from Student Success