ku core presentation2013
TRANSCRIPT
KU Core 2013History, Current Status,
Projected Timeline
History
2009-2010: Chancellor’s Task Force finds general education requirements for College BA impede retention and
timely graduation
History
2009-2010: Chancellor’s Task Force finds general
education requirements for College BA impede retention
and timely graduation
2010-2011:
Strategic Planning work group recommends
transforming KU curriculum
Principles
Make educational goals more visible and tightly linked to curricula
Involve full KU community in discussion
Consider national trends in university teaching and learning
Process
The general education work group:
Surveyed faculty, students, staff, and alumni
Used survey responses (700+) to drive discussion
Analyzed discussion results to prioritize goals
Compared general education systems across AAU institutions
Results
General education at KU should be:
University-wide
Based on educational goals and learning outcomes
Focused on fundamental skills, knowledge, and values
Revised Educational Goals
The successful graduate will:
1. Build core skills of critical thinking and quantitative literacy
2. Strengthen written and oral communication
3. Develop a background of knowledge across fundamental areas
of study
4. Respect human diversity and expand cultural understanding
and global awareness
5. Practice social responsibility and demonstrate ethical behavior
6. Gain the ability to integrate knowledge and think creatively
Keys and next steps:
Link educational goals to learning outcomes
Ensure courses and educational experiences achieve the outcomes
Incorporate review of the courses for student learning
History
2009-2010: Chancellor’s Task Force finds general education requirements for College BA impede retention and timely
graduation
2010-2011:
Strategic Planning work group transforms KU
curriculum
Fall 2011:
“Satellite Committees” recommend learning
outcomes, activities, and evaluative rubrics
History
2009-2010: Chancellor’s Task Force finds general education requirements for College BA impede retention and timely
graduation
2010-2011:
Strategic Planning work group develops six core
educational goals
Fall 2011:
Satellite Committees recommend learning
outcomes, activities, and evaluative rubrics
Spring 2012:
“Transition Committee” finalizes learning
outcomes and criteria; University Core
Curriculum Committee formed
Building the KU Core curriculum
Three “general education” goals
Critical thinking and quantitative literacy – 2 “units”
Written and oral communication – 3 “units”
Broad background of knowledge – 3 “units”
Three “advanced education” goals
Human diversity and global culture – 2 “units”
Ethics and social responsibility – 1 “unit”
Integration and creativity – 1 “unit”
“Unit” = 3 – 5 credit course OR
an “educational experience” OR
an approved combination of courses and/or experiences
University Core Curriculum
Committee (UCCC)
Reviewed and endorsed by faculty governance
Elected representatives from College and all Schools with
undergraduate programs (including Med Center)
Student representatives
Ex officio members from Libraries and Provost Office
Summer 2012 Activities
“Fast-tracked” 700+ courses for provisional approval
Developed online submission process for courses and
educational experiences
Established approval process:
Department School/College curriculum committees
UCCC
How does a course or educational
experience qualify for the KU Core?
Departments describe how course or experience enables
students to achieve learning outcome(s)
Courses/experiences can meet more than one outcome (students
can achieve only one outcome per course/experience)
All sections of the course must meet the same outcomes.
Nominations reviewed by school/College curriculum
committees
UCCC shepherds process to promote successful
departmental applications
How does a course or educational
experience remain in the KU Core?
Evidence of student achievement preserved
UCCC reviews evidence for re-approval
Projected Timeline
Spring 2013
Finish integration of KU Core into School and College
curricula
Finalize catalog and student information systems
Begin orienting new students
Fall 2013
All incoming undergraduates follow new curriculum
Current first-year students can “opt in”
Transfer students can “opt out”
The KU Core: A renewed beginning
for KU undergraduates
Curricula linked to educational goals
Undergraduates aware of learning outcomes
Degree-specific and major requirements build on KU
Core foundation
University-wide; establishes essential educational
expectations of the KU undergraduate experience
Coordinated with efforts to make learning visible and
share evidence of student achievement