Great Plains Conference 2008
The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
June 6-7, 2008
Hosted by: OU Program for Instructional Innovation
The Conference has been cancelled!
Learning for the 21st Century...
How are the learning needs of college graduates changing in the 21st Century? How can we support our faculty in developing learning experiences that prepare our students for life and work in the 21st Century?
Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc., conducted a national survey of employers’ views on preparedness of college graduates for the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Their report, “How Should Colleges Assess and Improve Student Learning,” presents key findings from interviews of “301 employers whose companies have at least 25 employees and report that 25% or more of their new hires hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a four year college” (Hart and Associates, 2008). In the study, executives reported they perceived college graduates were not reasonably prepared across 12 critical domains (in ranking order from most to least prepared: teamwork, ethical judgment, intercultural skills, social responsibility, quantitative reasoning, oral communication, self-knowledge, adaptability, critical thinking, writing, self-direction, global knowledge) (Hart and Associates, 2008). These Critical Domains align closely with 2007 findings by the Leadership Council for Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) that a consensus is emerging among educators and employers about what learning is needed for America's future (LEAP, 2007). The Executive Summary of their findings is available here. Together these reports provide a potential vision of a graduate prepared for 21st Century life and work.
As a conference participant, please prepare your thoughts on how we can support faculty in developing 21st Century Learners. We will discuss and share your ideas in a series of focused round table discussions on helping faculty promote learning strategies that support the types of learning environments described in the LEAP (2007) and Hart (2008) reports.
MAPS