cjones
February 25, 2008, 12:10 PM
Vincennes University is needing feedback on the following Action Project. Thank you ahead of time for your much-needed help.
Action Project: Education for the 21st Century VU Graduate
The goal(s) of this Action Project:
The goal of this Action Project is a significant one: to identify a vision of education for the 21st century VU graduate and develop strategies to implement that vision. In light of the constantly evolving economic and social, national and global picture, it is more important than ever that VU produce graduates prized by employers and valued by society. To do this, VU must develop an understanding of what AAC&U, AGLS and others define as a liberal education, interpret the concept as it applies to VU and its new mission, and envision a culture of student-centered learning at VU.
The rationale for addressing the one criterion you checked (Helping Students Learn) as “primary” and why we decided this Action Project and its goal(s) are vital for VU at this time:
The current higher education literature describes the education for the 21st century graduate as an education that informs and integrates the learning of both general education and the major. In light of that description, it is critical that VU develop a concept of what we want to be in terms of liberal and integrative education and develop strategies to assure that this concept becomes part of the culture at VU. This Action Project will accomplish that goal and concurrently support the Strategic Plan, Vision and Mission of VU. As we focus on identifying a vision of education for the 21st century VU graduate and develop an understanding of what AAC&U, AGLS, and others define as a liberal education, VU will take on a leadership role in “innovation and delivery of successful educational experiences” and support the delivery of “proven associate and baccalaureate programs.” This Action Project will result in the development of a vision and strategies necessary to define VU’s educational platform for the future, support a campus-wide curriculum that is rigorous, coherent, cumulative, significant, and relevant, and assure that our graduates are prepared for the 21st century workforce.
Organizational areas (or institutional departments and divisions) most affected:
Most affected by this Action Projects will be the Academic Divisions, Student Services, Student Activities, and the student learners.
Key processes most affected:
-Curriculum development
-Pedagogy refinement
-Faculty Professional Development
-Student learning
Process measures that you plan to track as you work on this Action Project:
-The development of an Educational Futures Task Force
-The professional development of members of the Task Force
-An increase in the campus-wide use of the “language” associated with liberal education
-Faculty support for the increased use of liberal education concepts and methods across the curriculum
Outcomes measures that you plan to track as you work on this Action Project:
-The development of a vision for the education for the 21st century graduate
-The development of a strategy for reaching the vision.
Performance targets for this Action Project:
Phase 1: The Educational Futures Task force will define the fundamental principles that will drive the production of students with 21st century skills.
Phase 2: Map out how VU, over the next 5 years, moves from theory to actuality.
Briefly describe how you plan to keep VU’s attention and energies focused on this Project and its goal(s):
This Action Project is supported by both the President and the Provost of the University. The Educational Futures Task Force will be supplied with the current literature for review and given professional development enrichment opportunities. The work of the Educational Futures Task Force will be shared with the VU community through the use of email, Black Board, reports to the governance groups, and monthly reports to the academic divisions. The process will be faculty driven, maintain transparency, and be supported financially by the administration.
Action Project: Education for the 21st Century VU Graduate
The goal(s) of this Action Project:
The goal of this Action Project is a significant one: to identify a vision of education for the 21st century VU graduate and develop strategies to implement that vision. In light of the constantly evolving economic and social, national and global picture, it is more important than ever that VU produce graduates prized by employers and valued by society. To do this, VU must develop an understanding of what AAC&U, AGLS and others define as a liberal education, interpret the concept as it applies to VU and its new mission, and envision a culture of student-centered learning at VU.
The rationale for addressing the one criterion you checked (Helping Students Learn) as “primary” and why we decided this Action Project and its goal(s) are vital for VU at this time:
The current higher education literature describes the education for the 21st century graduate as an education that informs and integrates the learning of both general education and the major. In light of that description, it is critical that VU develop a concept of what we want to be in terms of liberal and integrative education and develop strategies to assure that this concept becomes part of the culture at VU. This Action Project will accomplish that goal and concurrently support the Strategic Plan, Vision and Mission of VU. As we focus on identifying a vision of education for the 21st century VU graduate and develop an understanding of what AAC&U, AGLS, and others define as a liberal education, VU will take on a leadership role in “innovation and delivery of successful educational experiences” and support the delivery of “proven associate and baccalaureate programs.” This Action Project will result in the development of a vision and strategies necessary to define VU’s educational platform for the future, support a campus-wide curriculum that is rigorous, coherent, cumulative, significant, and relevant, and assure that our graduates are prepared for the 21st century workforce.
Organizational areas (or institutional departments and divisions) most affected:
Most affected by this Action Projects will be the Academic Divisions, Student Services, Student Activities, and the student learners.
Key processes most affected:
-Curriculum development
-Pedagogy refinement
-Faculty Professional Development
-Student learning
Process measures that you plan to track as you work on this Action Project:
-The development of an Educational Futures Task Force
-The professional development of members of the Task Force
-An increase in the campus-wide use of the “language” associated with liberal education
-Faculty support for the increased use of liberal education concepts and methods across the curriculum
Outcomes measures that you plan to track as you work on this Action Project:
-The development of a vision for the education for the 21st century graduate
-The development of a strategy for reaching the vision.
Performance targets for this Action Project:
Phase 1: The Educational Futures Task force will define the fundamental principles that will drive the production of students with 21st century skills.
Phase 2: Map out how VU, over the next 5 years, moves from theory to actuality.
Briefly describe how you plan to keep VU’s attention and energies focused on this Project and its goal(s):
This Action Project is supported by both the President and the Provost of the University. The Educational Futures Task Force will be supplied with the current literature for review and given professional development enrichment opportunities. The work of the Educational Futures Task Force will be shared with the VU community through the use of email, Black Board, reports to the governance groups, and monthly reports to the academic divisions. The process will be faculty driven, maintain transparency, and be supported financially by the administration.