The transformation of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute’s undergraduate learning experience is built on 10 principles, and our departments/schools are all making great progress in changing the curricula necessary to implement the principles. I think it is important we remember the 10 principles were chosen based on evidence-based research.
I was reminded again of this when reading “How Colleges Can Open Powerful Educational Experiences to Everyone,” an article in a recent issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education. The article describes how experiential learning is becoming more common in higher education. The article states: “Recognized as difference makers for students, these activities deepen learning by connecting the classroom to the broader world. And they are increasingly being championed by institutions looking to prove their value, lure students, and set graduates up for success.”
The concept of experiential learning has gained increased attention in higher education in the past decade after educational researcher George D. Kuh published a report in 2008 that identified 10 high-impact practices that influence student engagement, retention, and success. The report is titled “High Impact Educational Practices” and can be found online.
Many of the practices identified in the report are similar to the 10 principles of our transformation. But what is truly different with Purdue Polytechnic is our effort to weave all 10 high-impact educational practices into the undergraduate learning experience. This is a work in progress, and the faculty and staff in each department and school are working hard to create this unique and powerful learning experience for our students. I recently completed deep-dive reviews of all of the college’s departments and schools and learned of the progress of our transformation as well as the diversity of solutions unique to each program.
I remain enthusiastic and confident that our college is on a path that will define experiential learning based on high-impact practices — and our efforts will result in much higher levels of student success before and after graduation from Purdue. Thank you for all you have done for our Purdue Moves transformation.
