what are they? what makes them effective? how can we help? high-impact practices

What are they? What makes them effective?How can we help?

High-Impact Practices

Definition“an investment of time and energy over an

extended period that has unusually positive effects on student engagement in educationally purposeful behavior.”

George D. Kuh, “Foreward,” Five High-Impact Practices: Research on Learning Outcomes, Completion, and Quality by Jayne E. Brownell and Lynn E. Swaner, AAC&U, 2010

Identified through research:First-year experiencesCommon intellectual

experiencesLearning communities Writing-intensive

courses Collaborative

assignments and projects

Undergraduate research Diversity/global learning Service learning Community-based

learning InternshipsCapstone courses and

projects

High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are Who Has Access to Them and Why They Matter by George D. Kuh (AAC&U 2008)Follow-up study: Five High-Impact Practices: Research on Learning Outcomes, Completion, and Quality , by Jayne E. Brownell and Lynn E. SwanerCALT has copies of both publications

What do they need to work?Require purposeful effortBuild relationshipsEngage across differencesProvide rich feedbackApply learningEncourage reflection

For whom do they work?Most students benefit Benefits can be dramaticHistorically underserved benefit mostOne size does not fit all (no single HIP will

work for ALL students)

Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and participation in High-

Impact Practices

0 0Latino/a not Latino/a

38%

55%

gap17

Do they matter?

Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and participation in High-

Impact Practices

0 01 1Latino/a not Latino/a

38%

55%

49%

63%

gap14

Do they matter?

Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and participation in High-

Impact Practices

0 01 12 2Latino/a not Latino/a

38%

55%

49%

63%65%

68%

gap3

Do they matter?

Graduation Rates by Ethnicity and participation in High-

Impact Practices

0 01 12 23+ 3+Latino/a not Latino/a

38%

55%

49%

63%65%

68%

73%

69%

Source: CSU Northridge Institutional ResearchAugust, 2010

gap-4

Do they matter?

Do they matter?

High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are Who Has Access to Them and Why They Matter by George D. Kuh (AAC&U 2008)

Do they matter?

High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are Who Has Access to Them and Why They Matter by George D. Kuh (AAC&U 2008)

Do they matter?

High-Impact Educational Practices: What They Are Who Has Access to Them and Why They Matter by George D. Kuh (AAC&U 2008)

Barriers to offering themInstitutionalization:

Most likely to miss historically underserved groups

Kuh recommends committing to reach every student at least twiceWithin the first yearJunior or senior year connected to the major

Expense: Time commitmentLack of support

How can we help?Foster collaborationsPromoting HIPs to students Assist with design of a HIPExplore alternative practicesDevelop current HIP practicesHelp with policiesHelp with assessing